Lower back injury - really worried

[BillyR]

I hurt my back in the gym last week. I was doing Deadlifts when I felt something pull and a sharp pain in my lower back on the left hand side. I had to stop everything because the pain was so bad. It's been almost a week and my back still hurts when getting in and out of bed, moving in bed, even just being on my back can hurt if I don't lift my knees up to relieve the pressure. It hurts when I walk and I can't bend my back forwards or backwards properly without pain. Can't squat down either without pain. And it hurts even when I'm sitting in a chair, like now at the computer - sitting causes a dull ache. Movement causes sharp pains not a dull ache. The area of pain seems to be located around my lower spine, round about where the left kidney is located. There is some slight swelling as well. I've been resting for days but there doesn't appear to be any change. My doctor is useless, because his appointments are always filled and you're not an emergency as far as he's concerned unless you're dying! So I'm trying to deal with this myself. I plan on getting some anti-inflams. Still I'm worried as hell that this is a herniated disc or something. I hope it isn't.

[Heidi]

Hi
The best advice really is to go to your Doctor or another professional when it comes to back pain.

Hoever, if the initial pain was to the left and thats still where you feel the pain, it is unlikely to be spinal (i.e. vertebrae or discs).

It is more likely to be soft tissue, but I would still recommend a visit to a professional. If you're not keen on your Doctor, either try to see another Dr or try a chiropractor, osteopath or physio. You can find one here:
http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/clinics/indextherapist.php