How can I loosen up?

[UTRacerX9]

Go to a chiropractor!!! It's going to cost you like $50, you'll have IMMEDIATE pain relief, and you will likely only require 1 visit.

EVERY time I tweak my back (leaning across an engine bay akwardly, landing violently on a stiff leg, slamming into somebody in sports, etc, etc), I see a chiropractor ASAP and it's immediately fixed.

If you let this injury linger, you could have permanent back problems.

This.

Foam rollers/tennis balls (same effect) work well to stretch muscles.

And this. If you want to know whether a chiro will actually help you, get a tennis ball, place it on the floor, and then lay on top of it so the tennis ball presses against where you are feeling pain, or close to that spot. It may hurt at first, but roll around on it a bit, and I can guarantee you'll feel better afterwards. Then, go see a chiro and request about half an hour on a rolling traction table, you'll be good to go.

[CoopKill]

prostitute...duh!

winner!

[IPD]

chrios help when you have bones mis-aligned. i could use one right now, actually....

but from what you describe, it sounds like a pulled muscle in your back. i've had this happen. last time, it was because i'd been wearing a safety-belt at work constantly; which probably weakened my muscles.

it will be stiff for a while; it's healing. ice it to reduce swelling. when you feel you're ready to move it again, try some gentle stretches. elbow/knee twist stretches are good. the "pushup" stretch is also good. sidebends.

...and always make sure you treat your back properly. "bridging" is one very helpful technique which can prevent compounding stress on a back. i've learned to do it a LOT. there's a reason why pro golfers don't just bend over to pick up their balls after making a putt; they lean on their golf clubs. it's not old age--it's a deliberate move which reduces back stress.

[AdamVR4]

chrios help when you have bones mis-aligned. i could use one right now, actually....

but from what you describe, it sounds like a pulled muscle in your back.

He couldn't turn his head after hurting his back and you think it's a muscle..? It might feel like a muscle but I'd bet the cost of his chiropractic visit that he needs an adjustment.

[IPD]

He couldn't turn his head after hurting his back and you think it's a muscle..? It might feel like a muscle but I'd bet the cost of his chiropractic visit that he needs an adjustment.

i get pinched nerves in my neck every now and again. it's nothing a bone adjustment can fix. i tried that once. it's a muscle/nerve issue. always goes away in a few days, but a chiro can't fix it.

[AdamVR4]

i get pinched nerves in my neck every now and again. it's nothing a bone adjustment can fix. i tried that once. it's a muscle/nerve issue. always goes away in a few days, but a chiro can't fix it.

Pinched nerves ARE treatable with chiropractic care, but if you've just "lived with" the pain for a long time, whatever is causing the nerve inflammation has probably become permanent (or close to it) as your spine has deformed. The longer you've lived with the pain, the more adjustments it will take to fix it. That's why I'm stressing to him that he needs to go ASAP. If he does, it will take 1 adjustment. I can't believe you're advising him to make the same mistake you did... Yay! Back pain that lingers for days on end! Sign me up!

[IPD]

you're misunderstanding me, adam. it wasn't a long, lingering pain. it went away after a few days. i did IMMEDIATELY see a chiro on the very same day. it didn't fix it. he tried several different approaches. i felt slightly better when i left, but i was HORRIBLY sore--and it still didn't fix it. now i've had mis-aligned bones in my spine (i've got one right now, actually) and it's a different kind of pain. i've had both. i recognize both.

[eljefefx]

And

[IPD]

lol, jeff. and you would know HOW?

[Roybatty]

A couple things that have not been mentioned: Massage therapy can help. Heat as well as the cold packs on the affected areas (cold you want right away after injury or when there is a lot of pain). The heat is good for healing and blood flow, good for post exercise. You can purchase one of those massage machines that will reach the back.

If you have access, use a hot tub periodically. +1 on the stretching, exercise and yoga.