Weekend Warriors: Look out for back aches, body aches and pains

Looking to rearrange your furniture this weekend? Or maybe repaint that dingy kitchen? Be on the lookout for the body aches and pains that may result from activities your muscles aren’t used to! Injuries are more likely to occur when you do any activity that your body is not accustomed to. The best thing to do is avoid overdoing it in the first place, building up your muscles’ endurance and strength over time. A muscle’s ability to do one type of activity, such as lifting weight, doesn’t always transfer over to another activity, such as lugging furniture or wielding a paint roller.

“If you think you have injured yourself because of muscle of joint soreness and stiffness, it can be helpful to take a good dose of anti-inflammatories right away,” said Sharon Gibbs, M.D., physiatrist with Texas Back Institute. “An adult with no other medical problems can usually take 600 – 800 mg of ibuprofen every six to eight hours for two to three days, limiting to 2,400 mg per 24-hours without any major side effects.”

Tylenol is another option that may be helpful if ibuprofen is inadequate, and can be taken as an alternative or in addition to ibuprofen in a healthy adult. Remember the maximum dose of Tylenol for a healthy adult is 4,000 mg per 24-hours. Other over the counter medications may contain ibuprofen or Tylenol, so it is important to read through the ingredients and always consult with your physician. Also, keep in mind these recommendations are for short term us only, unless you have specific input from your physician.

Additionally, acute injuries, especially if any swelling is evident, should be iced with an ice pack or even a pack of peas through a towel, for 10-to-15 minute intervals as needed to keep the swelling and pain down. If the shoulder is sore, anti-inflammatories and relative rest of the shoulder may help, which means avoiding overhead reaching or backward reaching activities for several days. Back sprains and strains, however, may feel better with the application of heat. In general, bed rest is NOT recommended for back sprain or strain. Use the heat or ice with the addition of gentle stretching of the back muscles to decrease pain.

“If symptoms persist or worsen, or appear more serious than that of a mild ligament sprain or muscle strain injury, seek the advice of your physician,” said Gibbs.

Texas Back Institute, Plano, Texas: As one of the nation's largest spine clinics, the Texas Back Institute is the expert in solutions for back pain. Founded in 1978, the Texas Back Institute has always recommended non-surgical treatments because we know they work best to relieve pain in most patients. The professional staff includes board-certified orthopedic surgeons with spine fellowship training, general surgeons, general medicine physicians, internists, chiropractors, physiatrists, pain specialists, exercise physiologists and a team of physical and occupational therapists. From non-operative spine care to surgery, the Texas Back Institute offers chiropractic care, diagnostic procedures, fitness services, pain management, patient education, physical therapy, research and return-to-work programs including work conditioning and work hardening. To learn more about the Texas Back Institute and to obtain free updates and helpful back tips, go to www.texasback.com or call 1-800-247-BACK. Texas Back Institute's with offices in Denton, Fort Worth, Garland, Greenville, Hurst, Midland, Plano, TX and Phoenix, AZ. For additional information, visit the Texas Back Institute website at www.texasback.com

MEDIA CONTACT
For more information, contact Meredith Falke, (214) 891-7795 meredith_falke@richards.com

Consumer phone number: 1-800-247-BACK