Help - Bad Back

[ClammedupClam]

Posted elsewhere by didn't get any response.

I have a 5 month DS and since I was 6 months pregnant I've had a really bad back. It's my upper back/shoulders/neck. It doesn't feel like one sprained muscle but more an all over very tight almost tingly feeling like the whole area is incredibly tense.

I try and do good lifting but I just feel like everything I do with my DS aggravates it - lifting him in and out of cot, sorting him in car seat, feeding him, jiggling him when he's unsettled or won't sleep etc., even just holding him if he snoozes off on me on the sofa. I'm struggling to get comfy in bed and sleep properly.

GP has referred me to physio but apparently there is a back log so might be a wait. I've tried some stretches and ibuprofen but not much difference. Any tips on any exercises or anything to help until I get physio? And anything that might help me get more comfy particularly at night and when feeding?

In my experience with back problems, I would see an osteopath.

I’ve had two significant back / neck injuries and whilst physio worked to a point, the osteopath was brilliant at resolving the issues.

Any slight pain or discomfort now, I go straight to my osteopath. She is wonderful.

Thanks @FoxtrotOscarPoppet. There's one five minute walk from me actually so I'll take a look. How many sessions did you need?

Some things you can try.. I'm an old hand at back pain so I know just how debilitating it can be.

TENS machine. An amazing distraction from the pain

Alternate heat and cold on it - hot water bottomed, heat rub, heat patches. Iced peas wrapped in a tea towel and leant against

Epsom salt baths

Google exercises that are specific to the pain you have

Consider a 1 to 1 Pilates session. Pilates is excellent for strength and movement

What are you sleeping on? Try a V neck pillow. Try two pillows if you have one and vice versa. Buy a new posture pillow

Have physio. If you can afford it then book a decent physio who can help diagnose what the issue is.

@ClammedupClam my two big injuries were an upper back and neck injury from an RTC and a lower back injury from falling down an entire flight of stairs. Each of those injuries took a few sessions.

I’ve had other times where I’ve badly pulled my back or something has locked up and it’s always been sorted in 1 or 2 sessions.