Lower back pain

[flibbertigibbert]

For years I've suffered with lower back pain which flares up a few times a year for a week or so. I also have problems if I have to stand up too long. I think it's due to my lower spine curving inwards too much - when I stand with my back to a wall there's a big curve in my lower back which I can pass my hands through. I'm having a flare up at the moment which isn't going away.

Several people have recommended a chiropractor, but I'm worried that this will be horribly expensive - I live in London. I'm slightly overweight, but bringing my weight down with good diet. I'm getting over a bad cold so haven't been to the gym for a month.

Can anyone recommend anything that would help?
Thanks

I would recommend a physiotherapist - they can look into what is causing the pain, and either manipulate your back if there is something "out of place" asnd/or suggest exercises which will strengthen the muscles to support your back if those are weak. I had lower back/hip pain and the physio really made a massive difference, and also helped my DH with a slipped disk.

Amum - what was your lower back/hip pain? I know I can't assume mine is the same as yours - but I have been thinking sciatica with mine. Do you mind telling me if I could be in the right area? I will go to the doctors at some point, but I think we have seen enough of each other just recently!

Amum - Thanks for the reply. Did you see a physio privately or on a referral to a gp? How long did it take for you to start getting results?

I saw one privately, as we had Bupa at the time, but still had to have a referral from the GP to keep right with the insurance.

It was caused by some muscles having tightened up on one side, probably after a slight slip on ice (you know, the kind where you don't go over but everything tenses up and gets a jerk). It was a sciatic sort of pain, vertical up one buttock, plus a general pain in the hip and lower back. The physio tried a number of things, but sorted it on the third session - some stretching and massage to ease out the tight muscles, then twisting my leg round at a funny angle to push everything back how it should be - hard to take seriously as it was very undignified, but it did the trick.

Thanks Amum - sounds quite a bit like mine. Sorry to have hijacked a bit - good luck flibbertigibbet, hope you get it sorted.