Anyone got back problems?

[rickman]

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[Tan1959]

Hi Rickman

You would need to be more specific - how long have you had back pain? Did you have a fall? Did the pain begin after suddenly bending down? where abouts on back is your pain? Could be a one of a number of things! I suffer with Ankylosing Spondilitis bit of a mouthful I know! Took along time to diagnos....

[rickman]

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[Tan1959]

Yes you can get pain in the chest from back ache - I have experienced this myself and mi9ne was caused by the fact that I would be tense when sleeping due to the pain in another part of my back!

Did you have an epidural?

[rickman]

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[bakedpotato]

Rickman, I'm seeing an osteopath for neck/shoulder pain. Mine is bad/sharp between shoulderblades too (and I didn't have an epidural, worse luck).
Are you bfeeding still? I know my pain is related to this (and buggy-pushing, lifting etc), esp as DS gets bigger. Feeding lying down makes a difference, but I can't always do this.
Osteopath said when pushing buggy try to visualise your legs doing the pushing, rather than your arms (sounds potty but it does help, as if your legs are taking the strain).
Another useful exercise is to roll up a small towel into a thin, hard ridge, and lie down on it, facing the ceiling, so your spine is pushed up by it and your shoulder blades sink down, floorward. You really feel the stretch.
People assume swimming is good for back ache, but I found it makes my shoulders even more tense.
On a more cheerful note, when I asked the osteopath whether bad back ache in my mid-thirties would inevitably lead to me having a very painful old age, she said NO: these years with young children are the hardest of all and have no real bearing on how bent-double we will be as OAPs

[Littlestarsweeper]

osteopath required. Bottom of back lumbar sometime doesnt get back into position after pregnancy. If left it sends pain to middle of back and quite often then to neck. Cost around £30 per session but worked wonders for me.

[rickman]

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[mummyjojo2D]

You could try Arnica Gel for the pain it can work wonders. My mum has just cancelled an operation on her shoulder to correct severe pain because she has been using it day and night for about a month or so.

[jane313]

I've seen a chiropractor which worked wonders for a while but not after I had my bab and it was very pricey The dr refered me to a physio through the local hospital and he gave me some exercises which have really helped.

[geogteach]

Rickman know where you're coming from as baby is exactly same age, i'm seeing osteopath too. Don't know if you are still feeding but that has certainly affected my back after all 3 of mine.

[Papillon]

Do you do any exercises to try an relief and correct the backache Rickman?

Pain in the chest can be from lack of breath and can make you feel abit melancoly.

What bakedpotato said...
´when pushing buggy try to visualise your legs doing the pushing, rather than your arms´is good advice. This is similar to the advice given with the Alexander technique which is all about body posture. Walk out from your hips / top of legs and not from your upper body.

Good exercise stand with your back to a wall and your knees bent like you are sitting in a chair. Try to press all your vertebrae into the wall and then relax... repeat about 10 times.

The downward dog is excellent for the spine... described on this site - the chair makes it not so hard.. normally your hands are on the floor. down dog

the cat / dog stretch is often seen as the best flex for your spine. Here is an example.
this

There are loads of sites on the web for backpain... yoga related. Have you ever tried Yoga... you sound like you need ongoing exercise for your back and not just a visit to the osteopath. I have lived with a back injury for the last 10 years and have learnt much about managing my own body and spine - saves money on pills and visits to the osteopath.

Hope you feel better soon.

[rickman]

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[jane313]

I usually have lower back pain but the first few months of having a baby it was all in my lower back, acombo of pushing a pushchair breastfeeding and using a baby bjorn sling. It went though but I also tried to improve my posture whilst doing those things

[jane313]

i meant upper back the second time!

[rickman]

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[Papillon]

avoid temptation Rickman!

It hurts because your body has become used to being in a slouched position, essentially your back has become closed - here is an easy exercise to
6. Opening the mid-back
No. 7 would be good for you also because the neck and shoulders are a big tension area when looking after a young baby.

The exercise I mentioned in last post about 'sitting' against a wall without the chair is good to do in the shower. It helps to also remind you to do it! Make your buttocks feel heavy and relaxed.. like you are sitting deeper and deeper into the chair. Let your muscles and body relax.

Alexander technique walking (She means walking where its written waling!)

[Eaney]

I had a slipped disc and disfunctional SI joint. I spent a small fortune on a Chiropractor and when that didn't work an Osteopath nither of whom diagnosed the slipped disc. When I had shooting pain going down my leg I said to the Chiropractor that it felt like a trapped nerve. He told me there was no such thing as a trapped nerve. Obviously he had never heard of sciatica.

Eventually an MRI scan identified the slipped disc. My experience has made me a little sceptical of Chiropractors and Osteopaths. I ensure they were reputable and belonged to their professional bodies.

Pilates and physio have really helped me.

[Eaney]

I had a slipped disc and disfunctional SI joint. I spent a small fortune on a Chiropractor and when that didn't work an Osteopath nither of whom diagnosed the slipped disc. When I had shooting pain going down my leg I said to the Chiropractor that it felt like a trapped nerve. He told me there was no such thing as a trapped nerve. Obviously he had never heard of sciatica.

Eventually an MRI scan identified the slipped disc. My experience has made me a little sceptical of Chiropractors and Osteopaths. I ensure they were reputable and belonged to their professional bodies.

Pilates and physio have really helped me.

[SoupDragon]

I'd definitely recommend seeing an osteopath, but they're not cheap

[SoupDragon]

Mine sorted out my lower back problems like magic.

[Raspberry]

rickman,

my dp has a slipped disc, just to say Alexander Technique can actually be bad if you have one, so best see your doctor first

[Papillon]

Hopefully rickman's doctor is going to give her a referral to physio or a chiropractor