<p>I have an appointment to the Naval Academy and I just recently hurt my lower back in weightlifting class. I'm almost certain its the muscles not the bones because I can do a hamstring stretch and it will feel almost back to normal.</p>
<p>But when I wake up in the mornings and sometimes during the day it will hurt again.</p>
<p>Its been hurting like this for about 1.5 weeks now, and I'm scarred to go to a doctor about it because I don't want anything to medically DQ me. So what should I do?</p>
<p>Your health comes first. Tell your parents if you haven't already.
Do you have an athletic trainer at school? Then you should see that person. He/she can really help you.
If you need medical attention then seek it. It will be worse if you are sent home on I-Day or after because of your injury.</p>
<p>You have two months to get well - start that process now with good medical care. Good luck.</p>
<p>There is a former DoDMERB employee (former USN Corpsman) that answers questions on the DoDMERB subforum of United</a> States of America Service Academy Forums - Powered by vBulletin His screen name is RetNavyHM. He usually answers in less than 24 hours. My son was DQed and he gave him valuable information.</p>
<p>Get it looked at. By a specialist. Let the chips fall where they may. The sooner you begin therapy the better. And if, unfortunately, it prevents you from being medically qualified, another can take your place sooner.</p>
<p>If it is reparable and eventually qualifiable, the Academy will hold a slot for you next year.</p>
<p>I'm not sure if she can TAKE them, but I'm sure she can look at them. But I'm not too sure about seeing an evil doctor (all doctors are evil now haha) about it.</p>
<p>speaking as an old person w/ back problems, there are a few schools of thought on treatment. Some people go the chiropractic route (ouch). Others go medical (i.e. muscle relaxers and anti-inflammatory meds). Others go the heating pad/soak in tub method. If you are not seeking medical attention, you need to do something (i.e alleve, hot tub)...usually time is the greatest healer for backs. However, I am not a doctor, and you should see one.</p>
<p>perhaps you should try a massage. If you do, tell the masseuse (sp?) that you have a potential muscle injury and they can usually do special massage that will increase blood flow and possibly fix your problem. Good luck!</p>
<p>I echo USNA69....Zerbin Singleton (current Brigade Commander and exceptional football player) was in this exact situation! The worst case scenario is probably a delayed appointment....putting it off can have detrimental effects.</p>
<p>I got it checked out by my trainter today after school. She said it was a strained hamstring. I shoudn't be worried about it and no more PT :-( . If it lasts more than a couple weeks (3-6 at most) come back and see her.</p>
<p>I'm currently doing the sit in the tub, no PT, Ibprofen, muscle relax, and IcyHot method from now on.</p>
<p>Coltonzors -- I was in a similar situation (except my involved falling off a lofted bed) -- and I was freaking out. Talked to the trainer and I got confirmation that it is okay. I wouldn't have known however or gotten the treatment necessary for it to heal without having someone check it out. Your back is what holds up pretty much everything else. Take care of it! Usually as people (athletes especially) we become hypochondriacs the instant we think something is wrong.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Before you do anything, get checked out by a good physician. If it's your back, consider a good orthopod. IMO- seeing a chiropractor before you have x-rays and a MRI in hand is a HUGE mistake. </p></li>
<li><p>Take care of it now, not two weeks from now. The faster you find out what it wrong, the sooner you can initiate the proper intervention to treat it. Waiting does nothing but prolong the inevitable.....backs take time to heal, as do muscle injuries....the sooner you get started, the sooner you can resume getting ready for plebe summer.</p></li>
<li><p>Chances are it's nothing. Chances are even better that it is something easily treated. Get it checked out, the sooner the better.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Yeah, its been almost 3 days since I posted this thread. It feels MUCH better (almost gone). I believe I was stressing over it too much. 1 week seemed like 3 weeks. When you work so hard for something (USNA), you tend to get a little paranoid about things. I learned my lesson.</p>
<p>And if anyone has this problem, this is what I did.</p>
<p>Mornings: Standing hamstirng stretch, 600mg Ibprofen
Afternoons: Stretch whenever you can
Nights: 600mg Ibprofen, 20-30min in tub (submerge back and legs), and Icy Hot. and STRETCH!</p>
<p>Got that from my uncle, who happens to be the PSA Master Coach, so he's pretty good at injuries. </p>
<p>The first thing he told me to do was "STOP WORRYING!!" </p>