My back's been spasming for over a week now, and I finally had my appointment with a physical therapist. We were talking about exercising, and I mentioned that I had started walking frequently again, and that for me it was off and on depending on my depression, which is why my muscles aren't that strong.

I also felt the need to apologize for the times I winced or my back spasmed, because I didn't want to misrepresent my pain and make her think it was worse than it is -- at it's worst, it is the worst pain I've had in my life. But that usually lasts for short bursts, and when I'm still and not moving, my pain is at like a 3. Uncomfortable but I can manage.

When my doc prescribed muscle relaxers, I tried to take them as infrequently as I can because I don't want to be seen as a drug seeker, but the pt said I needed to take them three times a day as prescribed so that my back muscles can heal.

Sometimes I struggle with what is truly a problem and what is in my head. Is my pain as bad as I feel it? Do others in the same situation feel the same?

When my pt said it really WAS a problem, that my back had spasmed at least 10 times during my 40 minute appointment, it made me feel validated.