An acute "stitch" in the back calls for proper first aid, yet most patients make the same dangerous mistake — they try to actively warm up the inflamed area. That was the warning from Almaty neurologist and rehabilitation specialist Ilya Rudenko, according to infohub.kz.
"Why can't you apply heat or rub the sore spot during a stitch? Let me explain in simple terms. If your lower back suddenly seizes up or your neck locks, the first thing you absolutely must not do is head to a hot sauna or rub the area with warming ointments," the doctor stressed.
According to the neurologist, every second patient admits when they come in that the moment the pain hit, they went straight to a sauna to warm up — and by morning they couldn't get out of bed at all.
The rehabilitation specialist explained what is actually happening inside the body at that moment.
"A stitch is always an acute protective reaction and inflammatory swelling in the tissues. When you apply heat there, the blood vessels dilate, the swelling doubles and starts pressing on the nerve root even harder," he explained.
Rudenko stressed that for the first three days after an acute stabbing pain, you need rest and a dry, cool approach — not a sauna with scalding steam. If the pain does not ease, then it is time to seek help from a specialist.
Earlier, physiotherapist and rehabilitation specialist Vladimir Karasenko said that asking your spouse to "walk on your back" is an extremely dangerous way to relax tight muscles.
Before that, he also explained what to do if your leg cramps at night, and told why the whole body sometimes jerks sharply before sleep.