Does anyone know how long they take to heal? Ive got one and my physio has said Ive got to take it easy (no headstands/handstands or jumping on my horse - errr what exactly am I allowed to do then?!?!) - Anyway I just wondered how long it takes to heal. Ive had this for about 2 months now and Im getting a bit fed up of being limited as to what I can do.

Mind you I did ride Flint at the weekend and we jumped approx 3ft (dad's fault - he kept putting the jump up!) and I was in agony Monday! Serves me right really! :)

I would've thought it depends on what you've done, but after 2 months I'd be back at the physio again.

About 4 years ago I sprained my back, it went after a few weeks but was on and off for 3 years.  Summer 2005 I went to the doc, and he said it was just a muscular thing - I was supposed to have a physio appt. but it never came through.  By November that year it came back with such pain that I couldn't wait; I booked an appt with an osteopath, who took about 10 minutes to tell me I had two lumbar vertebrae tweaked out of place and they'd been that way since I sprained it - no muscular problem at all however - 4 sessions and he sorted it out.  About a month ago I sprained it again, went straight to the osteo and it was done in 3 sessions.

I guess I'm saying get a second opinion :) this is the second joint issue I've had where the doc hasn't really helped, the other is ligament laxity in my shoulders which my physio was zip all help for, and neither her nor my doc mentioned a treatment that might actually help (non-surgical too), I had to find that out thru my own research.  Not sorted it yet though...

I would go and see an Osteopath or Chiropractor.  My personal experience is that they get you better MUCH faster than Physios, who only ever seem to tell you to rest and do a few exercises. ;)

Have had a back strain (believe a sprain is worse) and some osteoarthritis problems in my C6.  I was taking a back remedy we have here called Robaxacet, don't know if you have it.  Anyway, mentionned to the Physio that I really wanted to stop taking it and she said no, keep on.  Apparently as well as relieving pain it also acts to diminish the inflamation that causes the pain.  So that's my tip.  Ask the Doc. though.

lol, Val thats exactly what they've said! I used to go to a chiropracter but the pain is much further up than where they normally go. Its in line with my belly button but at the back. What does an osteopath do?

What does an osteopath do?

Firstly they will diagnose what's wrong with their fingers, then treat bones and soft tissue to make you as good as you can be (as opposed to perfect! ;) )  Find yourself an Osteopath from here   http://www.osteopathy.org.uk/ 

You may find different osteos use different methods - the first guy I saw used massage and spinal manipulations, the guy I saw last time used manipulation on the first session, then electrical acupuncture (not as bad as it sounds :D) to relax the muscles first then just one stretch to relaign the vertebrae, he lifted me up on his back and sort of bounced me to do the stretch.  Not easy to describe :p

I would have thought a sprain should have healed by now. If it is just a sprain, and not something out of place that would require an osteo/chiro to put back then I would go to a Bowen therapist, I've had amazing results as have a few friends by using them :)  I had a sore back on and off for years, at it's worst I couldn't move without crying - had to get a friend to put my socks and knickers on etc   I've had physio and other conventional treatments but a couple of visits to a Bowen therapist and I haven't had a sore back since (over 2 years). It's not a miracle cure I've changed other things too, now have a memory foam mattress and sit on a fitball for a wee while every day, usually while watching tv. The fit ball strentghens all the little muscles in your back that you don't normally use but can sprain.

I have sprung my back twice in the last two years,where I could barely walk,the only answer was,my osteopath,can be exspensive, but your back is pricless,there is also somtheing about increaseing your core strength,err I think thats to do with your stomach muscles aswell to help prevent injury in the future,so go osteopath,mines a witch doctor I have no idea how he does it,he has saved me from a lot of pain.

The pain sounds like what you lot had. I have trouble putting my pants and socks on when it flares up.

My physio did give me some exercises to strengthen the core muscles and that is by holding your stomach muscles so you were on the right lines!

Thanks for all your replies. Money is a bit tight at the minute but I will ring round and see what people charge! :)

Core Stability :)
Something that the runners and my physio harp on about!!!
Strengthening your core muscles, Ie stomach hip muscles as these are the muscles that help the others work. Think that explains it.
I had a problem with my knee, but it wasnt my knee that was the problem it was the muscles around my hips that didnt have the strength to support my legs while running. hence why I was on crutches for weeks.
HTH
Lea :)

Oh and around here, private physio and osteopaths are about £25-£30 a session.
Lea :)

I'm so glad this thread was started.  I 'did' my back in earlier in the year and it's still not right.  Had to pay for physio as doctor said my back wasn't bad enough, yet a week on I could barely move/sleep/walk/dress because of the pain :rolleyes: The physio gave me exercises to do and told me to keep putting heat on the affected area as the problem was strained ligaments.

Although my back improved it still isn't better.  I started yoga classes which I know helps to strengthen everything but after 6 weeks I gave up because I would be in so much pain the following days.  The pain is more to one side and feels like that 'things' are moving about.  I can walk about ok but anything that involves bending such as cleaning the bath, brushing the dog sets it off.  A day doesn't go by when I am not made aware that things are not as they should be or at worst I end up having to just give in and lay down to alieviate the pain.

I think after reading this thread I might find an osteopath, although I was thinking of acupuncture which helped someone I know.

edited to add:  I also have trouble getting knickers and socks on when it's really bad

OK let me tell you my experience. :)  When my daughter was 12 years old I had a dreadful back.  For the first time in my life, in bed, couldn't move, struggled on hands and knees to crawl into the bathroom - you get the picture.  Eventually, dosed up to the eyeballs with painkillers I go to the doctor who says I can go on a 3 month waiting list for a NHS Physio, or pay to go to see the recommended Osteopath and get fixed straight away!  I had no money and so borrowed the fee.  I struggled in on all fours and walked out 30 minutes later!
Daughter decided that she wants to perform miracles like this too but when I investigated the training fees, I tried to persuade her to be a Physio because the fees are paid.  From 14 to 16 years old she offered herself for work experience at Osteopaths, Chiropractors and Physios.  She very quickly dismissed the Physios after spending time with 3 different ones, much to my disappointment as I could see the training fees for Osteos and Chiroptractors looming. :(  She worked in a Chiropractic Clinic on Saturdays from 16 until she left school at 18 and loved the work that they did, but chose Osteopathy because the wanted to do it all with her hands and Chiropractors tend to use more equipment.
After qualifying 7 years ago (with a HUGE student loan like Monopoly money! :( ) she now has 4 clinics and employs 3 other Osteopaths.  Sure they earn good money but they are VERY busy because they fix people and you can't put a price on being well with no pain.  No every patient gets a miracle cure but the new Osteopaths - in 2000 the training changed from being a certificate to a degree - but they do some fabulous work.

PS  Daughter will recommend Pilates or Yoga to improve core stability. :D

Cheryl, that sounds very similar to what I went through with mine - I could walk okay but it was bending over that caused the pain, also it was on the right side of my lower back.  I'd definitely get yourself to an osteo - whether yours goes the same way as mine obviously is imopssible to say, but with mine it flared up from time to time - to start with every few months, but by the time I went to the first osteo I was in pain for longer than I was okay.  Weeks at a time, and it was unbearable - I got stuck sat in front of the computer the day I made the appt as the pain was so intense when I tried to stand up.

I didn't get the feeling of things moving around back there, but I've been told twice now that my lower back is very inflexible - so that may have just been stopping things moving :)

I'm not in a great deal of pain most of the time but one day last week I didn't have any pain all day and I noticed it.  Sitting down for long periods certainly brings on the problem and I have a proper office chair that supports my back very well.

I woke up this morning with the pain already there and have put that down to the evening walk yesterday as on the way back Paris was walking very nicely (unusual) and then without warning lurched forward pulling me suddenly.

Thanks Nikita, I will definitely look into the Osteo

Ooo don't!  Soli did that to me last time, she was pulling anyway but she can still put a hell of a force behind a sudden extra lunge if she wants - she was only trying to sniff a branch :rolleyes: I got the most dusgusted look from a passer by when I reacted and shouted at her, and pulled her back!

Re. the yoga classes - how often do you go?  I discovered that once a week is actually damaging for many people, no matter what the class; yoga, pilates, aerobics etc.  Reason given to me is that by the time a week is up your muscles have completely recovered to the point you have alleviated any progress made.  So when you go again the next week it is like starting all over again.  Meanwhile other people in your class, who go more often, are ready to progress and you just can't keep up but you try and you end up hurting.  For me twice a week will do it but some I spoke with said they had to do the class, or at least some of the movements on their own at home, three times a week.  There will still be times when you feel it a bit but you should not be feeling pain that interferes with your life to that extent.  And maybe yoga just isn't your thing.  I hated it.  Like Pilates much better.

Can't beat a good Osteopath - worth every penny.
I suffer regular bouts of hip/leg problems and have decided never to bother with a doctor again.
It may seem expensive, but considering I'm paying £23 for my dog to have 20 mins in a hydrotherapy pool I think £30 for a session with a good Osteo is a bargain. They are a master of their trade, rather than a poor doc who has to be a jack of all trades.
Also, when my problem flares up a bag of ice placed over the area (for about 20 mins at a time with a 5 minute break over and over) is great at stopping the inflammation getting worse.
Core exercises are a must but only when you are fully recovered.
Weigh up the cost of time wasted in a docs waiting room and the prescription price for the anti-inflam tablets you'll be given everytime you see him/her and it soon mounts up anyway.
Hope you up & running again very soon.

Val