‘Moving house is fun’ is not often a statement you will hear from anyone unless they’re the newly elected Prime Minister of Great Britain. My partner and I had just moved interstate and, as you can imagine, there were quite a few boxes to pack, beds to lift and televisions to shrink wrap. As with most occupations or activities, when our bodies are not conditioned to what we’re doing we can often flare up old injuries; or cause new aches and pains as our bodies are simply not used to the task at hand.
It was just after Christmas and New Year (Prime Time for Australian movers) and I’d relaxed over the holidays. Gym and exercise were put on hold as I enjoyed my time off, travelled the coast in a motor-home and enjoyed fat portions of shrimp on the barbie; washed down with many Great Northern Beers 😀 It was my holidays, after all. After these 2 weeks of debauchery it was time to pack our bags and move back to Sydney from Brisbane. We’d put off packing long enough- it was shaking time and the ear ache from my partner was starting to bite.
After 4 hours of shrink wrapping, bending, twisting, lifting heavy boxes and flipping mattresses I felt my back start to hurt. It was in the lower back but more towards the left side; it felt like a dull ache. The Removalist we had booked came and took our things- it saved a lot of hassle. Now we had to hop in the car, drive to Sydney (10 hours if you don’t stop) to sign a new lease, then beat the removalists to the unit we’d be renting. Time was of the essence. Using my Physio brain and following advice I’d often given to low back pain patients with long drives; I rolled up a small towel to nestle in the small of my back for the drive.
The towel helped but I found that 2 hours into the journey my back started to ache. I pulled over and tried a few stretches- cat camels / child’s pose and downward dog (google them if you’re not a Yogi). The movement helped. After stopping a further 2 times for similar stretches we’d finally made it. Over the next 2-3 weeks, the ache in my lower back wasn’t clearing up. I’d feel like I’d improved and then get out of bed the next morning- ouch!
I saw a Physio who diagnosed me with a ‘pinched disc’ in my lower back. The treatment helped in the short term; but it was my regular routine of stretches, strengthening and getting back to normal life and activity that really made the difference! So if you find yourself with acute low back pain- it’s best to take advice from a Professional to facilitate your road to recovery… And if you’re moving house- definitely hire a Removalist!!
