I have sharp low back pain after weight lifting and it hurts while lying down. Please help.

Question

Hello doctor,

About six months ago, I developed pain in my lower back mainly in my waistline towards the right side. I visited a doctor and we tried PT but it did not work. I then scheduled an appointment with a chiropractor, however, it was canceled dude to COVID-19. A couple of days ago, I was lifting at the gym and everything was going fine. I started noticing the left side of my back waistline beginning to hurt so I went home. Since then, the pain has worsened a lot. It is a sharp shooting pain that will extend from my waistline into my buttocks. I can barely sleep at night because when I try to turn over the pain is too extreme. I feel it a lot when walking as well, or trying to stand up if I am sitting down. Also, lying on my back causes the area to ache really bad. The pain is at its worse when I need to roll over in bed or when I stand up from being in a lying position, even if I was lying or lounging for a minute or less.

I am a 23-year-old male in the military. The initial back pain that started months ago was found to be caused by wearing my sidearm at work for 9-13 hours a day and additional gear such as body armor. However, this new pain is something different. Please help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

You will need some investigations to confirm the cause. However, the likely possibility is lumbar spondylosis with nerve compressions. Most importantly, you should avoid heavy activities, lifting heavy weights, etc.

You will need an x-ray of spine AP (anteroposterior) and lateral view and may need an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). Physiotherapy would be helpful. You may continue to have Aleve (Naproxen) according to need. You may use local Diclofenac gel or hot water fomentation. We usually give patients a multivitamin like Neurobion forte (B12) which is good for nerves and next in the line is Pregabalin which is a nerve stabilizer.

I hope this helps.