Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Help lower back pain

59 replies

Mintygreenleaf · 29/10/2023 08:47

Appealing to the Mumsnet Hive mind! Looking for tips on how to deal with lower back pain and experience of how long it may go on for.

Sure it's a pulled muscle, nothing serious. Had it several years ago but I forget the detail. Fine lying luckily, awful sitting and getting up from sitting, trying ibuprofen, heat pad and gentle movement. Any advice thank you!

OP posts:
ChazsBrilliantAttitude · 29/10/2023 09:30

I am a veteran of low back pain so here are few more tips

I used to sit in a hard back chair with a hot water bottle behind me to ease out the stiff muscles.

I prefer the volterol gel to taking ibuprofen because I find NSAID hard on my stomach if I take them for too long.

Use your core stomach muscles to stabilise your back when moving. Another thing to watch is if your leg muscles get tight that can start to pull on your pelvis which generally makes things worse.

I also found kitchen tongs a godsend for picking up small things I had dropped or reaching for things when I was sitting down.

Original poster
Mintygreenleaf · 29/10/2023 09:12

Thanks Disco hope you're recovering well. Similar perhaps I bought a couple of those throws when my mum had an op last year so have one of those they are snuggly!

OP posts:
DiscoBeat · 29/10/2023 09:04

I have had back surgery and the Physio recommended heat 2-3 times a day. I bought a little heat pad (like a tiny electric blanket) which I use in bed - last thing at night for half hour, first thing in the morning and during the day sometimes.

Original poster
Mintygreenleaf · 29/10/2023 09:01

Thanks Chaz, Kitty and Marjorie for the advice, supporting it makes sense, will head out for some gentle exercise in town for voltoral. Kitty my sympathies to you!

OP posts:
MarjorieTheManager · 29/10/2023 08:55

Definitely get some voltarol on your back. Excellent stuff.

kittyfayne · 29/10/2023 08:54

Sorry - don't know why that posted twice!

kittyfayne · 29/10/2023 08:53

I don't know but I totally feel your pain!! Literally..

I've also pulled a muscle in my back and it's agony. Feels like the muscles are all bunching together so I can't stand up straight. Sitting is ok but standing up, excruciating.

I've found that baths have helped relax the muscles temporarily.

Deep Freeze spray has helped me too. Im trying to do gentle exercises but it's just too painful right now.

ChazsBrilliantAttitude · 29/10/2023 08:53

Sit on a hard chair like a dining chair so you can keep your back straight. If you are sitting at a table use your arms to support your weight when you get up.
Keep mobile but be careful going up and down stairs.
Bend from the knees rather than bend over.
Volterol gel can help.

Use a pillow under your knees if you lie on your back and between your legs if you sleep on your side.

kittyfayne · 29/10/2023 08:51

I don't know but I totally feel your pain!! Literally..

I've also pulled a muscle in my back and it's agony. Feels like the muscles are all bunching together so I can't stand up straight. Sitting is ok but standing up, excruciating.

I've found that baths have helped relax the muscles temporarily.

Deep Freeze spray has helped me too. Im trying to do gentle exercises but it's just too painful right now.