ATTENTION

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call 988 for 24/7 free and confidential crisis support. You do not have to be suicidal to call. Access more info and resources on suicide prevention, emotional and mental health support

toggle mobile menu Menu
toggle search menu

Site Navigation

Supplemental

Menu

Lorna's Story: There's No Fast Cure

Lorna's Story: There's No Fast Cure

Lorna's Story

Is housework bad for you? Ask Lorna what she thinks. You'll get a lesson in how to tackle those chores—and how not to.

"I never had back problems, and then one Saturday I bent over to scoop out the cat box," she recalls. "When I tried to straighten up, I could hardly do it."

Lorna didn't have a severe episode. She counts herself lucky.

"Some people can hardly move, but I could stand and sit, although it hurt," she says. "It felt a lot better to lie on the floor. But I still could do things with friends and around the house."

She also found help close to home—at home, in fact.

Getting right on it

"My husband has back pain and knows what to do. I put a warm heating pad on it right away, took some ibuprofen, and slept that night on my side with a pillow between my legs."

Lorna got active the next day, taking short walks as recommended. Although her back still hurt, she went to work on Monday as usual. And to Lorna's surprise, her back hurt all week.

"I thought, 'Okay, it will hurt for a day or two, and that's it,'" she says. "But it lasted a lot longer. It took about 3 weeks. I guess we're used to fast cures. We take an aspirin, and the headache goes away. We take the antibiotic, and the infection disappears."

Making changes

But Lorna stayed patient, and the pain and stiffness left. Things are now back to normal—almost.

Lorna now thinks about how she moves. She no longer bends at the waist to empty the cat litter. She no longer bends. She now squats, bending at the knees to pick things up.

"It's really something how a small movement can end up in back pain. But it's also amazing how posture and watching how you move can prevent back pain."

This story is based on information gathered from many people facing this health issue.

Credits

Current as of: March 9, 2022

Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:
William H. Blahd Jr. MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine
Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine
Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Healthwise is a URAC accredited health web site content provider. Privacy Policy. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.

© 1995- Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.