Knowing that I have a weak left knee and some lower back problems years ago, I thought I took care in lifting up the slabs.
But somehow a few days later, my lower back felt a bit sore. Thinking that it was a muscle sprain, I did not pay too much attention to it and continue carrying heavy loads when doing grocery shopping, painted my car porch walls, etc....
About 2 weeks ago, I flew back to Penang with my family to visit my parents and the pain started to become more intense. I have difficulty bending and wearing my pants too. Rolling in bed while sleeping gave me some sharp pain but luckily, I was still able to sleep on my side throughout the night without interruption.
Using my mother's heat pack helped too but temporarily.
The pain got worse as it shot down my buttocks, thigh and calf too even when I walked during my last day in Penang but I managed to tolerate it. The flight home was uncomfortable.
I immediately saw my GP the following day when I am back in Singapore. GP detected that it is likely due to an inflamed disc in the lower back and not just a muscle sprain.
Some anti-inflammation medicine was given and I suggested to seek physiotherapy treatment too and he recommended me to his associate in this area of expertise.
I am now into my 2nd round of medicine and done 4 physiotherapy sessions. The pain has subsided a lot but still not totally gone.
I have signed up for another 4 physiotherapy sessions as it really does wonders in treating the pain.
I am told to wear a lumbar support when I am not lying down and especially when I am sitting for a long time.
I was told that a full recovery takes at least 1 year and I am not suppose to carry a load more than 5kg. Swimming is a very good exercise or even walking in the pool when I no longer have any pain in my back.
BTW, I have a similar pain in my lower back and did an MRI which showed an inflamed disc too. The specialist or consultant suggested to operate on my disc to reduce the pinching of the nerve but I refused. So he just gave me some medicine to ease the pain and somehow I got over it until a few weeks ago when I injured the lower back again....sigh
I do not think I have a slipped disc else they would have put me on a traction machine but the therapist applies ultrasound, micro-electrodes and some current to repair and heal the affected area besides giving me some massage to release the tension in the affected muscles. Each session takes about an hour and I find it very effective.
So lessons learned..... do not carry too heavy a load and over bend your body when reaching for something (eg. gardening, hanging the laundry, carrying load over 5Kg..) and seek treatment earlier.
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