Last sunday I threw out my back picking up the curl bar. It wasn’t even my workout day I was just at the gym with my girl. Anyway I’ve been on flexeril (muscle relaxer), and vicodin (for pain), for a couple days now and the back seems to be getting better (mobility is getting better). This is my first sports injury and am wondering how long should I wait to start lifting again? How long till I work out my lower back? It still hurts some but I feel like a bum not working out.
The real danger of taking muscle relaxers and pain pills is that you think you’re better (healed) when you’re not.
When you think you can handle it, start back with some cardio and gentle stretching. Find out what your body can handle. This is after you’re entirely off of your muscle relaxers and pains pills.
A good proteolytic enzyme like bromelain would help with pain, swelling, inflammation and protein turnover. Take a higher potency version (2000 GDU by NOW) 3 or 4 times a day on an empty stomach.
An Epsom Salt bath ought to help, too. Epsom salts are high in magnesium, which will help relax the muscles.
Good luck, and I hope you’re feeling better soon! If you have any qeustions, don’t hesitate to ask.