Help with back pain

[AllIWant85]

Hello,

I am hoping some of you may have some good advice for lower back pain. How do/did you deal with it? What worked and what was a waste of time?

Just for a bit of history I fractured a vertabrae in my lower back last year. Was in a brace for quite a while until September. Pain was pretty intense but has been ok over the last 3 months until this week. I feel like I'm 70 years old!! The pain getting up from sitting is unreal and really brings tears to my eyes. When standing there is a constant pain but nothing severe or sharp like when getting up.

I'm 15 weeks at the moment. I thought my back may be a problem but I didn't expect anything this soon.

Thank you in advance :)

You might be best getting a pregnancy support belt - it's similar looking to a bump band except actually takes some of the weight of your bump to help your back. Speak to your midwife or dr ASAP an deft referred for physio to help alleviate it slightly during your pregnancy and they may be able to provide the support belt as well (if not mothercare etc sell them but are around £50 I think). Good luck with your pregnancy, and remember you're nearly halfway through!

Thank you, my midwife wasn't very helpful when I phoned today. Apparently my "back will ache, what did I expect?" and "there's nothing we can we do".

I will try and phone the GP tomorrow but our physio waiting times are awful. Quite often 3 months waiting list. I will definitely look into support belts, I don't mind if I have to pay for it myself, if it relieves my back it would be worth every penny.

AllIWant85, I completely sympathise. My lower back pain started at 14 weeks and not a single midwife could care less. Their attitude was, "yes, being pregnant hurts".

However, what really helped me was seeing a chiropracter. I found one who specialised in pregnancy and children. She helped a lot.

I also found a warm pack on the back twice a day helped a bit - but didn't solve the problem completely unfortunately.

It sounds like you have an existing problem (so do I) but my chiropracter also told me that when the joints are stretching and loosening etc, it can cause joint inflammation and that I was more likely to hurt myself. One on particularly memorable day, when my back had been feeling a lot better, I got out of the car at the chiropracter, nearly passed out from the pain, had to get DH to almost carry me across the road. The chiro told me that this was common and that pregnant women in my situation often get massive joint inflammations from driving or getting in and out of cars!?

Hi for me sitting in a birthing ball takes the pressure off, along with swimming, however only pain free whilst in pool but at least you get some relief xxx

Ow ow ow! Just reading this brought back memories! My physio gave me some stretches, did massage and gave me a free tubigrip (huge and doubled over) to help. Could you pay for a one off session to get appropriate exercises. MW sounds v unhelpful. Does she know your history?
Sending pain free vibes!

I broke my spine when I was 11 falling into a 6ft jump from my horse lol. I know your pain, im 34+6 now and its been agony all the way through. Paracetamol worked a bit, and getting a new mattress defo helped. Swimming really helps and it chills me out. Find someone whjo does pregnancy massage and explain the situation, they may be able to ease some of the pressure, but defo get a sipport belt from the GP. I got mine from a friend and its great!
Hope everything goes ok for you xx

Midwife is aware of the previous injury and how recent it was.

I understand the physio and what they may do but how does a chiropracter differ? I've not seen one before and am just wondering is there a big difference or is one better than then other or should I see both? Either way I don't think I'm going to be able to wait so private will prob be my only quick option.

I have a good orthopedic matress,a hot water bottle and an ice pack. Maybe it's time to look at support belts,birthing balls and swimming sessions!

Thank you all for your suggestions. I don't know what I'd do without MN support!!

Chiro and physio v different. Chiro works on nervous system, joints, spine etc and, adjusting misalignment. physio is more muscle and ligaments. That's my understanding.

For this kind of thing, I personally prefer chiro. Or osteo. But must be properly registered and accredited. Look up King Chiro in the City. I think their website explains things really well.