lower back ligaments

[ltmuscle]

So I was doing a set of 8 at 550. Not to heavy, well below capabilities. About 3/4 of the way up on rep 5 (I think, I blacked out) my lower back my a loud crunching noise, lots of pain. I was high enough that I fell foward into the standards and got the weight racked prior to melting into a pile of crap on the floor for 15 minutes.
Doctor (military doctor= incompetent, overworked, disinterested) wouldn't do an x-ray but told me that my symptoms at 5 days after (dull pain and restricted movement but no shooting pain or numbness) indicated ligament tear only.
So I get motrin x 2400 mg/day and he tells me not to lift "for a while". How long? Anyone have experience with this? Didn't get the feeling the doc had any experience in this area.
THIS SUCKS.

[tt]

I'm sorry to hear that, ltmuscle! I'll leave others more competent (and trained!) than myself to make educated guesses as to your situation.

A few things you can do to help/support the healing process:

* Take a warm Epsom salt bath every night before bed. Epsom salts are high in magnesium. Magnesium is the mineral tha opposes calcium and which is responsible for helping muscles to relax.

* Start taking MSM. It will help with the pain a bit, but it also provides the body with the substrates it needs to make repairs when the body has been traumatized. Start with 1g in the morning, 1g at dinner, next day 2g in the mronign, 2g at dinner, next day 3g in the mronign, 3g at dinner. Keep increasing until you're taking 5g in the mroning and 5g at dinner. Don't take it too late or your won't sleep. It's great for the joints, too, an added benefit. I buy mine cheap, in bulk powder at www.msm-msm.com. Add to juice or coffee if taking in powder form.

* If you're not currently taking a two-a-day or a three-a-day multi-vitamin, *start*. One-a-days are almost useless. Take additional Vitamin C, 1g with every meal.

* Do a search on the Internet for Wobenzyme and buy a big bottle. It's a proteolytic (protein) enzyme. It will help with protein turnover and repair and the replacement of damaged protein structures. Important: You need to take Wobenzyme on an empty stomach. If you eat it with protein, it will be used to help digest the protein you just ate. It's a bunch of protein enzymes, after all. An empty stomach is defined as two hours after a meal, one hour before a meal. Double the dosage recommendations on the bottle and take it ever 4 to 6 hours. Wobenzyme is safe to take at aggressive doses post trauma.

* Finally, if you want something to rub on the area externally, try Traumeel. It's a homeopathic arnica famous in Europe. It's an excellent product.

Mostly you just need to heal. Use the Motrin for as short a period of time as possible.

Good luck to you!!!