I'm having pain in my back and haven't done much heavy lifting lately. What's going on? Do I need to get it looked at?

[Anonymous]

I've been having some pain in my back for the last few weeks. I'm pointing to either something I did at the gym or something I did at work.

I work in distributions/supply chain. At my job, we have large trash bins for cardboard and stuff. In order to save time AND get a workout, rather than take trash out piece by piece, I've lifted the trash bin over the dumpster and just dumped it in. The trash bins are about the size of a small kitchen table and weigh between 70 to 100 pounds.

I haven't done that for a while since I started to notice this (about six weeks ago), but the pain, which I mostly feel when bending over, is still there. I haven't done much heavy lifting and haven't been to the gym since then.

Did I pull something? What's going on? Thanks.

[martyfellow]

Yes, if pain last that long, you should have it checked out. Maybe a little physical therapy or a brace would be enough to cure this, but if you aggravate it by lifting at work allt he time, it could become serious, require surgery, and that's never a good option.

[BertMacklinFBI]

you most likely pulled or strained a muscle. take it easy and stretch, go to the hot tub, get a massage, and/or see a doctor just incase. give it a few weeks, you should be okay if its nothing major.

[Asker]

Thank you. I went to see my doctor this morning (yearly physical) and he asked me about workman's comp. I just want to be sure that I don't need to do that yet.

[Anonymous]

Go see a neurologist.

[meatballs21]

I take it you've had lifting training in this job?

You may have just pulled something. Hope that you have. I will be going to a chiropractor for the rest of my life due to a bad back, the pain would ruin my life without the treatment I get.

[Asker]

The only "lift training" I really had was the training I do at the gym haha.

[meatballs21]

You really should find out about getting some, or at the very least reading up on it. You can do serious permanent damage to your back if you're not careful.