Conventional Wisdom Please! Muscle pull!

  • Hi all,

    Several days ago, bf pulled a lower back muscle doing STDLs at the gym. He's still walking around in pain, all bent over like an old man, the area is a sensitive and swollen and he is very, very unhappy (as am I, by proxy).

    Should he:

    -do light cardio?
    -not do any exercise but instead lie prone on the bed while I bring him bottles of beer and bags of potato chips?
    -see a chiropractor?
    -see an acupuncturist?
    -see a masseuse?
    -guzzle ibuprofen and use a hot pack?
    -take hot baths?
    -man up?
    -do yoga-esque stretches?
    -eat more chocolate?

    What is the conventional wisdom on this business?
  • Ouch- conventional wisdome says REST, ICE, IBUPROPHEN and ELEVATION. The elevation part isn't really applicable. Ice is unpleasant, but works. 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off. I'd suggest bags of frozen peas wrapped in a kitchen towel.

    If The pain (and the swelling is bothersome) isn't diminished by Monday, I'd go see a doc. Rule out real damage before you go the chiro or accupunturist route.

    Chocloate helps, too!

    Just my 2 cents!

    Mel
  • Thanks Mel. I didn't know about the ice. We both always treat pulled muscles with hot packs!
  • The acronym is RICE! Heat feels better but ice actually makes it better

    How is his back doing?

    Mel