My back has never really recovered from being pregnant

[Hemprose]

I used to have such a strong back but childbirth really has made my back weak...any suggestions.

on no - that really worries me as I have had a bad back in the past and my lower back is KILLING me at the moment.

If i sit in one position for too long or stand or walk for too long I am in agony. Today is a particularly bad day - it has been bad from the moment I woke up.

After I had a car accident and hurt my back I went to a physio who was great and she did the Bowen Technique on me. It seemed to work and my back did feel a lot better but I think you would need to go regularly. I may have to put a hot water bottle on mine now even though it is so muggy today.

Hi Daisy
Thanks, its nice to know I'm not alone, and obviously going to get help cost so much.
I have tried to youtube advice like back exercises and that has helped. I suppose I should lose some weight too but that is so hard...

it is probably your stomach muscles letting you down. you need those to support your back.

a good pilates teacher might help but it would be worth seeing a physio first

I had a nightmare with spd and back problems during pregnancy and am still struggling 18 months later. I've just started a one-on-one Pilates class with a qualified instructor who has lots of different machines in his studio. I had tried a standard class before but it didn't do any good as I wasn't sure if I was doing it right but having someone help you throughout really seems to make a difference.
Good luck, it really is a nightmare.

Well if yuou are fat you must lose wirght.
Ten, do some exerciuse.

moondog - do you do an search on the words 'overweight or fat' every five minutes?

Pilates is helpful, but it doesn't solve all the issues (well, hasn't for me). I am also looking in to a 1-2-1 instructor, so hope that might help.

My back was completely done in during my first pregnancy, too. I had bad SPD and a 10 lb baby. My stomach muscles are fucked, and that puts strain on my lower back. All the buggy pushing and lifting to pick up toddlers has screwed me up, too. I have tried osteopathy, a chiropractor, massage, pilates and yoga and I exercise moderately and am not especially overweight (got a bit of a belly, but that is more to do with slack muscles, I think).

I wish I could solve the problem. I worry about what I am going to be like when I get older.

I'm very worried that I will injure my back during birth, my sister seems to have a permanently bad back after two DCs, though that may ust be because she's lifting them a lot (and badly).

I haven't any problems at the moment really (32+2), but would like to avoid if at all possible.

Any hints?

Hemprose, what happened to your back during childbirth?

No. Why,do you?
If people complain of health problems then in next breath, say they are fat, then the solution is obvious to all but the most deluded.

glacier, there isn't a hell of alot you can do during the birth, afterwards work on your pelvic floor adn stomach muscles.

sort @ moondog

sorry snort

I'm not fat! Thanks alot!
Pilates is really helping me too. I just wonder will I be like this forever...
My mum gave me this cool kind of belt that keeps my back straight, that's helps too.Its called a Backsaver, and its really helps to keep your back straight while I'm on the computer.

I'll let you off this time.

Well you brought up issie of losing weight...

think a backsaver will only exasperate the problem as you need to build your core muscles instead of letting them do nothing while some brace holds you up.

I would recommend a chiropractor, I started seeing one out of desperation when my SPD was making pregnancy unbearably miserable, I couldn't believe the difference he made.

I got sciatica, and I dont' know how it happened, but it was very painful. Now my lower back feels sore. I have been working on my core though, and yes, that is the only way to sort it out...it takes ages though, and when I sit at the comp...it gets to me.

Glacierclick, check out Backsaver on youtube it might help you, and prevent any problems, its the only thing that works for me its also called the Nadachair.

Physio/pilates. And obviously make sure your work station or home desk is set-up perfectly AND you know how to lift properly.

I have slack abs normally because I have hyperlordosis (excessive curvature of the lower back) and physio does really help, but you have to stick to it.

I know but it is toooo expensive. How much do you pay for physio?

Get a referral from your GP then it's free. Dont get a back brace - it will lead to your stomach muscles atrophying. Which is about the worst thing you can do!

If you spend a lot of time at a desk get one of those wierd chairs which were all the rage a few years back - they have no back but a pad where your knees go and one where your bum goes. They hurt to begin with as your sore muscles won't be used to it.

Also, get a gym ball for sitting and watching tv on. You won't even notice that your muscles are working.

For credentials (!) I had v bad SPD during pg#3, and ongoing hypermobility and scoliosis.

NHS Physio is free. I pay to see a specialist (myofascial release) massage therapist monthly and that is £50 a session, but well worth it.

The mistake most people make with physio is thinking you need ongoing sessions to get benefit. You should make the exercises given to you part of your regular routine and not stop doing them if you stop having appointments. The same is true of hydrotherapy.

OP - I found core stability exercises really really helped, I had the Davina DVD with the 20 mins one (can't remember what it's called, sorry) but it did make a BIG different.

I've slacked off it in the last six months and my back and joint problems post pregnancy have come back, including the SPD. In my case it is because I'm overweight (moondog - people generally don't need telling this, for future reference) and I'm working on it.