New understandings

About a week ago I was having some lower back pain which through the years since my first baby I've experienced off and on. Usually I take a day and heat and ice my back and then the pain subsides. I went on a training run on Saturday and it was hurting but I went home and iced it while I went about the other activities of the day. The next day was Sunday and it was still hurting a little but not bad and the next few days after that I noticed it but other than doing some yoga and an occasional heating pad, it didn't inhibit my daily responsibilities. On Thursday I got up and went running again and after about 2 miles it just starting hurting a lot. We finished our route by walking and I went home and sat down on the couch on the heating pad for about 10 minutes. (I now know that heating a back in pain is the wrong thing to do because it totally locked up--ice for pain, heat for stiffness). I tried to get up and go take a shower but I couldn't walk. For the next 24 hours I was bedridden. I couldn't even lift my butt in to the air while on my back. I was in so much pain! I had to rely on Devon to help with Leah and get me the things I needed while flat on my back. Jed was able to come home from work for a few hours in the middle of the day and he put Leah to sleep and got me breakfast and lunch. But while he was gone it was really scary to be so incapiciated. About 2 in the afternoon I took some pain killers that I had left over from migraines and it helped take the edge off the pain but I still couldn't walk. I've known family and friends that have had back problems and surgery for back problems and now I understand how debilatating back pain can be. I've experienced other pain and still been able to function but back pain is the worst thing ever! I am a ton more empathetic to others with back pain. It is a humbling place to be!