this post was submitted on 08 Jun 2025
117 points (99.2% liked)

Ask Lemmy

32364 readers
1098 users here now

A Fediverse community for open-ended, thought provoking questions


Rules: (interactive)


1) Be nice and; have funDoxxing, trolling, sealioning, racism, and toxicity are not welcomed in AskLemmy. Remember what your mother said: if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all. In addition, the site-wide Lemmy.world terms of service also apply here. Please familiarize yourself with them


2) All posts must end with a '?'This is sort of like Jeopardy. Please phrase all post titles in the form of a proper question ending with ?


3) No spamPlease do not flood the community with nonsense. Actual suspected spammers will be banned on site. No astroturfing.


4) NSFW is okay, within reasonJust remember to tag posts with either a content warning or a [NSFW] tag. Overtly sexual posts are not allowed, please direct them to either !asklemmyafterdark@lemmy.world or !asklemmynsfw@lemmynsfw.com. NSFW comments should be restricted to posts tagged [NSFW].


5) This is not a support community.
It is not a place for 'how do I?', type questions. If you have any questions regarding the site itself or would like to report a community, please direct them to Lemmy.world Support or email info@lemmy.world. For other questions check our partnered communities list, or use the search function.


6) No US Politics.
Please don't post about current US Politics. If you need to do this, try !politicaldiscussion@lemmy.world or !askusa@discuss.online


Reminder: The terms of service apply here too.

Partnered Communities:

Tech Support

No Stupid Questions

You Should Know

Reddit

Jokes

Ask Ouija


Logo design credit goes to: tubbadu


founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS
 

I know it's a joke " oh haha you're 30, everything hurts now cuz you're so old!" But really, is something wrong with me or are backs just this stupid? Not overweight. Decently active although I don't exersize every single day. No genetic issues, doctor always says im in perfect health. But my lower back will randomly act up, sometimes it gets so bad that I about black out from the pain. Thats pretty rare though, usually it's just an ache all day when I move or try to put my socks on. Its not sciatica, as I never feel numbness or pain in my legs. Mild weakness maybe if it hurts really bad.

I feel like any doctor is just going to say welp, you're old it happens, or tell me I need 3.5 million dollar spinal surgery.

top 50 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] vga@sopuli.xyz 6 points 4 hours ago* (last edited 4 hours ago)

Nope. 30 is young and that kind of back pain is abnormal for a 60 year old.

[–] viking@infosec.pub 3 points 4 hours ago

No. With moderate exercise and checking for correct sitting postures, you shouldn't ever have back pain. I'm in my 40s and only feel a bit tight when I overdid my exercise routine.

[–] Ledericas@lemm.ee 6 points 6 hours ago* (last edited 6 hours ago) (1 children)

no its not normal, suddenly developing pain that occurs in frequency. you should see a doctor, it could be a spinal issue, like disk disease. weakness implies, pinched muscle maybe? or spinal issue. see a doc.

for example, i did developed back, spine pain, but that was from lying on my stomach and propping myself up with my elbows. it goes away after i stopped doing it. also if it doesnt go away from nsaids meds, its a sign.

sounds like a spinal issue: could spinal cord compression which can be come serious. you most likely need a MRI to see the spine.

another one would be type 1 diabetes: but that is usually very serious and life threatening it comes on suddenly. (due to ketoacidosis), this is unlikely if you dint have other signs already. there was only 1 time where back pain(lower and neck pain) was caused by an infection, shingles. it was so bad it got stiff, luckily in only lasted a week at the most.

if it is spinal issue, you might have to see an orthopedic specialist, sometimes a neurologist if they suspect nerve damage.

also cervical issues(neck), can lead to issues in the extremeties as well.

if i lie on my left side, i do get PN sensations, plus RLS, im fine if lying on my right side instead. definitely get it checked out.

[–] JadenSmith@sh.itjust.works 2 points 4 hours ago

This is good advice. I put up with back issues and sciatica for years, before some time ago I had an MRI - confirmed disc issues in my lower spine.
It's not the best and I am waiting for another MRI to see how it is now, yet without the diagnosis, follow up physiotherapy, etc. it would be considerably worse right now.

Mid-30s here.

[–] Etterra@discuss.online 2 points 5 hours ago

The human body is kind of a hot mess, and the back is one of the trouble areas. That said, you might want to see a doctor. If you have insurance. Otherwise just do what I do and pop that ibuprofen.

[–] billwashere@lemmy.world 1 points 5 hours ago

I’m 54 and my backs hurts when I’ve been doing lots of physical activities I don’t normally do, like digging or anything not upright for several hours. But this pain is more inconvenient than anything. Like it’s uncomfortable to sleep, a sudden sharp thing like my body is saying “don’t do that dumbass!”, or more like sciatica and taking a shit hurts.

What your describing is definitely not normal and should be looked at for sure.

[–] roofuskit@lemmy.world 13 points 1 day ago (3 children)

I'm going to wager you don't work out your core. Strengthen your core and you will likely experience a lot less back pain.

[–] RedAggroBest@lemmy.world 1 points 6 hours ago

Core n glutes. These are the answers

[–] Lederrucksack@feddit.org 5 points 1 day ago

I can confirm. I am not even 30 yet and suffer from severe lower back pain. After being told to strengthen my core by for example doing push ups the pain decreased to a level that's bearable.

[–] LavaPlanet@lemm.ee 10 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Sounds like your sacroiliac joint is gone. I did mine in by moving house and having bad posture, specifically the deep curve in my lower spine. I went to a physio they taught me some exercises that strengthen specific muscles that support the joint, to take the weight of the joint, off the joint. Sacroiliac is the joint of the spine and hip bones. Does it kinda shoot through the centre of one butt cheek, and lower back and seems to hurt no matter what position you lay or sit or stand?

[–] VirtigoMommy@sh.itjust.works 4 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I have exactly what you described, went to a doctor, they suggested physical therapy which I couldn’t afford.

Do you mind sharing some of the stretches that helped you? I’ve found a few online but they don’t ever seem to actually help it much.

[–] LavaPlanet@lemm.ee 2 points 7 hours ago

Of course! They're super simple but they actually worked.

Standing at the sink, (or wherever) leg straight, lift leg backwards (keep straight). (Do a billion times, (I forget the number, 30 odd? I can look for the exact sheet I was given) but work up to a billion times slowly)

On floor, on all fours keep leg in bent position, but lift upwards (keeping knee at 90° angle) bend only at hip, till back and thigh are a straight line. Both legs. I forget how often, I'll look for the sheet, but it was a solid block of time, 10 minutes, go easy though, work within your comfort levels and work up to more.

Both those above 3x a day for a good month to 6 weeks.

This one I found super hard, walking backwards for at least 10 minutes a day. And it has to be vigorous, I was told walking around my coffee table wasn't enough. Be very careful. Do whatever you can that's safe.

I also just worked on strengthening my lower back and core, too, after I got to a place where the pain stopped and I had good muscle tone to support it.

The physio person also focused on my walking pattern, you might also be able to find some info on that online. I know tiktok isn't loved much but it is great for people sharing medical information similar to this, also. You could see what the algorithm there spits out.

[–] abbadon420@lemm.ee 6 points 1 day ago

Such pain is not normal. I used to get backpack every month or so. To a level that I could not move anymore. Posture is very important. I now walk like some bodybuilder who is compensating for his small penis and it has done wonders for my back. Also it has lowered expectations about my penis, so women are always pleasantly surprised now.

[–] KeenFlame@feddit.nu 3 points 1 day ago
[–] CompactFlax@discuss.tchncs.de 34 points 1 day ago (2 children)

Once doctor rules out kidney, cancer, and spinal issues, see a physiotherapist. Before anyone says chiropractic, it’s a scam.

[–] SupraMario@lemmy.world 15 points 1 day ago (1 children)

So many people think chiros are legit.... it's fucking infuriating that shit is still around.

They have chiropractors for horses....yes a massive animal that's stupid muscular and stands 95% of its life. People are duped into thinking a 200lb or less human can "adjust" it's body...

[–] thisisdee@lemmy.world 7 points 1 day ago (1 children)

It also annoys me that my insurance groups chiro together with physio so people might think that they’re alternatives to each other. I had a colleague who said “physio just gives you exercises/homework while chiro fixes you on the spot”

I also have issues with the fact that major pharmacy brands like Walgreens and CVS put homeopathic remedies right alongside real meds. Make sure to actually read the labels on medicines, because lots of them are pure placebo. Zicam is an extremely popular cold medicine that claims to shorten the duration of a cold or the flu by like 50%, and it is completely homeopathic. There are lots of homeopathic labels scattered throughout the pharmacy, so checking the labels is extremely important.

If you ever see something on the ingredients label like “{ingredient} X6” then that means that ingredient has been diluted 6 times. Homeopaths claim that more dilution makes the med stronger, like how fresh water is better able to dilute salt water. But many are so diluted that there likely isn’t any of the medication remaining.

[–] Zenith@lemm.ee 8 points 1 day ago

Chiropractors and acupuncturists are grifters

[–] Phen@lemmy.eco.br 81 points 1 day ago (1 children)

You're confusing "normal" with "common". Pain is never normal.

[–] CanadaPlus@lemmy.sdf.org 3 points 1 day ago

What definition of normal are you using, then? I mean, OP's thing definitely is neither, but lots of things can trigger pain, even chronically.

[–] RBWells@lemmy.world 12 points 1 day ago

No. Chronic back pain is not normal. Acute back pain so bad you pass out also not normal.

Occasional back pain, I think is normal - over my more than half a century I've thrown my back out about 4 times and it hurt for a few days each time. Then went away. That seems more normal.

[–] Zonetrooper@lemmy.world 54 points 1 day ago

Well, I mean I guess after a long day or working really hard it can get a little achey and-

But my lower back will randomly act up, sometimes it gets so bad that I about black out from the pain.

No. Holy shit, no. Not normal at all. Go see a doctor ASAP. If you're ever in debilitating pain for no obvious reason, that is a colossal flashing "go see a doctor now" sign.

[–] Horsey@lemmy.world 2 points 1 day ago

Call your insurance company and ask for a list of physical therapist providers in your area. Make an appointment at the same time you’re asking your general practitioner for a referral to speed up the process if they’ll let you book the appointment without the referral. Follow all the instructions of the physical therapist to a T no matter how stupid it may seem.

[–] arararagi@ani.social 5 points 1 day ago

Blacking out from back pain is not normal, though a little back pain is, since most jobs of the century are done on a computer, you should be worried.

[–] Matriks404@lemmy.world 2 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

I am 29, and I only once (and many years ago) had severe back pain for like half day.

[–] Libra@lemmy.ml 22 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Let me just say right up front that any pain you have that's anywhere near the black-out level is extremely not normal. And I say that as someone who has lived with chronic lower back pain for 20 years (of varying severity, from 'Huh that's kinda uncomfortable' to 'holy shit it's time to take all of the meds and lay down.' I've never been anywhere near black-out levels of pain, the most I've gotten is back pain so bad it makes me sick to my stomach. Go see an orthopedist, they will find the source of the problem, and then probably refer you to a physical therapist and/or pain management specialist.

[–] weariedfae@sh.itjust.works 5 points 1 day ago (3 children)

Sorry. I laughed from your comment. Doctors tell women blacking out from menstrual pain is perfectly normal.

Didn't mean to distract from your message, you're absolutely right.

[–] amelia@feddit.org 2 points 5 hours ago* (last edited 5 hours ago)

I remember as a teenager I had such terrible menstrual pain I'd take pain killers and just curl up on the bed suffering and waiting for them to start working. I remember sitting in class at school not being able to focus because the pain in my stomach was barely tolerable. Everyone around me told me it was normal. My mother just told me to take pain killers. It only got better when I started taking hormonal birth control pills. I've always wondered if I have endometriosis but never got diagnosed (never asked about it to be honest because on bc it's manageable). I'd really like to tell my past self that I wasn't just being weak and that it really wasn't normal to feel that level of pain. It's good that slowly there's more awareness about this, but apparently there are still people like OP who believe they just need to live with pain like that.

OP, this is not normal and not how it should be, please see a doctor.

[–] Libra@lemmy.ml 4 points 1 day ago

That's crazy. Though I mean as a guy I have a lot more experience with lower back pain than menstrual pain so I couldn't speak to what's normal for the latter. But near-blacking-out from any kind of pain seems extremely no bueno.

[–] abbadon420@lemm.ee 4 points 1 day ago

I'm not a doctor nor a woman, but I think it's unacceptable to get blackouts from menstrual pains. To think that a doctor would just dismiss you like that, is even more unacceptable. It's 2025, not 1925.

Tall desk jockey, heavy walker. Not trying to diagnose, but I learned from experience that weak abdominal activation caused over compensation in the lower back to an extreme degree. Went from zero back pain, to plenty during covid, back to relatively little. Yoga, walking and lifting to improve core strength helped. Could it be something like that?

[–] agent_nycto@lemmy.world 11 points 1 day ago

That ain't normal nor common, if you can go see a doctor. Passing out from pain is definitely not a regular situation.

[–] the_riviera_kid@lemmy.world 1 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

Welcome to being old, it fucking sucks.

/S

[–] ColeSloth@discuss.tchncs.de 6 points 1 day ago

Sounds like you have abnormal issues. Guessing you have some issues with your discs.

[–] steeznson@lemmy.world 2 points 1 day ago

I've had slight scoliosis all my life due to being very tall and having multiple growth spurts in my teens. That has bothered me in the mornings pretty much since I was 16. Last year, I started getting increased pain around my pelvis which eventually got diagnosed as rheumatoid arthritis, associated with another diagnosis of Ankylosing Spondylitis. I'm 32 now and doing physiotherapy in order to keep flexible, the exercises seem to be a subset of pilates, also been prescribed dicofenac which is like a stronger version of ibuprofen which works well.

Blacking out from pain doesn't sound normal. I've got a degenerative disease diagnosis and have never blacked out - although I have had days where I've struggled to move.

[–] antlion@lemmy.dbzer0.com 5 points 1 day ago

This video helped me a lot.

https://youtu.be/mzIgrFwhjPc

Basically your lower back near the spine doesn’t get a ton of blood to heal itself. I’ve been doing back bends once or twice a week and my low back pain went away after about 6 months.

[–] some_guy@lemmy.sdf.org 6 points 1 day ago

I had chronic, persistent back pain in my twenties. Less severe back pain in my thirties. The first, I linked to job stress. I took a three week vacation and came back and noticed my back tensing up from stress in the first fifteen minutes that I was at work. The second, I link to ergonomics. Once I got an adjustable desk (for occasional standing) and combined that with my wonderful Aeron chair, my back pain ended. The adjustable desk that I loved at my old job wasn't as useful as I'd suspected: I just had a shitty chair at work.

I don't think persistent pain is normal (I’m in my forties with no pain). You should try seeing a doctor for a pass over to physical therapy. Caution: I thought working through pain in a workout was a positive and fucked myself up worse in PT. Tell your trainer if you're hurting when working with them. Also, they may not be able to help you identify environmental factors that they can't observe. No one knew that my job was causing tension but me. No one knew that my chair was hurting me but me (and only after the fact!). It might take a lot of introspection to locate external factors causing your pain.

Stretching can help a good amount. I can touch my toes because I used to stretch so much to lessen back pain. Do research to make sure you aren't using improper technique that will cause problems (like asking a PT person). I hope you have good insurance and can go that route. Good luck!

[–] FeelzGoodMan420@eviltoast.org 6 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (2 children)

You may have herniated discs. It's not super common at 30 but it's definitely not uncommon. It's more common the older you get but many young people get these. Depends on genetics and activity. You should go to a neurologist or orthopedist and tell them what's happening.

load more comments (2 replies)
[–] cyngi@lemm.ee 9 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

Probably need to go to the doctor anyway bruv. I'm 30 and I am not hit with severe back pain. I am hit with mild to moderate pain that eases off throughout the day in response to overexerting myself or sleeping wrong.

[–] Natanael@infosec.pub 3 points 1 day ago

After checking for physical health issues, ergonomics, stress, posture, etc, take a look at better shoes. If you ever feel like your heels often hit the ground hard when you walk, and especially if you more often feel pain after having carried something heavy, the impact on your spine might be bigger than you think even if you don't feel it at that moment. Better shoes (and posture, etc) reduces the impact significantly.

[–] Boddhisatva@lemmy.world 8 points 1 day ago

Not normal at all. See a doctor. You could have pulled muscles or something like that or you may be like me and have degenerative disc disease.

load more comments
view more: next ›