In trying to alleviate my back muscle pain, I caused another injury

The other week, I felt a twinge in my back when I woke up, but I hoped I’d just slept funny and it would soon go away.

As the day went on, though, the slight discomfort grew until my back became quite painful. Getting up from a chair was awkward, and my first few steps after standing sent stabbing pain through my back muscles. I was finally feeling better after several weeks of hives and what was likely a COVID-19 infection, as well as the exhaustion that always accompanies the beginning of the school year, so I was frustrated that I now had to contend with another issue.

I don’t know why my back flared up, but it’s not uncommon with my Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS). Sometimes it just happens. I did, however, miss my usual massage while I was sick, and that can definitely make me more susceptible to pain flares.

I’ve learned over the years that massage is my best defense and weapon against EDS pain. Missing one and going a month between treatments likely played a role in my latest flare, but luckily, I was only a few days out from my next massage when the pain in my back muscle started.

Unfortunately, when it came time for my next massage, my therapist was sick and had to cancel. The muscle in my back was so tight that I couldn’t reach halfway down my shins when leaning over. Usually, thanks to my EDS hyperflexibility, I can put my hands flat on the floor, so this meant I was extremely tight.

Without a massage, I moved on to plan B.

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I have a handheld massager that I often use between massages, so I turned it on, put it against my back, and let it work while I watched some television. Awhile later, the muscle was definitely a bit looser, but I’d created a new problem: With my higher-than-average pain tolerance, I’d overworked my back muscle, leaving it unbelievably sore.

I sat there for a few minutes marveling over my own stupidity. I know better than to overdo it when working on an angry muscle, but the massager tool didn’t hurt that much. As I went to bed that night, I lay down gingerly on my heating pad and hoped I’d feel better in the morning.

Unfortunately, when I woke up, my back was just as sore as it’d been the previous night. Leaning back in my desk chair at work was painful. Sitting in my car hurt, too. I was sore enough that I remembered to take some ibuprofen, which I’m notoriously terrible about doing. The thing was, there was nothing I could do besides wait it out. I had a super sore muscle that only time could heal.

It took about three more days, but thankfully, my back started to improve. I’ve learned that getting upset or frustrated isn’t only normal, but healthy. After all, I have to process my emotions! But staying that way only makes things worse, both physically and mentally.

With EDS, sometimes all I can do is ride out the rough patches as best I can and trust that things will get better, even if it takes longer than I’d like.

Note: Ehlers-Danlos News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Ehlers-Danlos News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to Ehlers-Danlos.