Lower back pain.

[MissMogwi]

It's been gradually getting worse for the past year. Right at the bottom of my back.

It's especially bad when I have been sitting for a length of time, in a lecture or driving for example.
When I stand up, it's taking longer and longer to straighten up properly, and it's a bit
embarrassing shuffling along hunched over.

I do take painkillers but they don't seem to be touching it any more. I suppose I should see the GP but it might just be fobbed off as one of those things?

I think if painkillers aren't helping it probably is time to see a GP. (In fact, having to take painkillers long term is a reason to see the GP in its own right).

Have you tried any alternative therapies like massage or seeing a chiropractor? Could you try any activities that build core strength, like pilates?

Alexander technique - not a quick fix and will require commitment .

A year is a long time to have a pain, I'd go see my GP personally. I'm no expert in backs generally, but owning a rubbish knackered one myself I do know that there's loads which can be done to ease pain, in my case physio works like a dream along with a rather hefty set of home exercises which I do religiously because they make such a difference.

FWIW - I once took my achey lower back to the GP (injured it carrying DS on my hip for too long on a seaside trip out, ended up with sciatica) and he didn't believe me when I said I'd had the pain for five months - he said I would have come sooner if I was really in pain! He was a locum, and obviously I complained about it to the practice, but it did tell me quite loud and clear that I WNHBU to go earlier, IYSWIM.

Oh, and if it's worse sitting, lots of people I know get on really well with a Backfriend for chairs they'll be sitting in for a while.

Thanks for the replies. I think I'll make an appointment to see my GP and then look in to some form of exercise. It really is getting a bit much now, the DC are treating me like an old lady.

I'm not the most graceful or coordinated person though, so I'm not sure how I'll get on with Pilates.