Oh, my back!

pelicanesque · March 2016

I'm surprised this hasn't come up yet on the May 2016 board! Is no one else dealing with constant back pain?? Maybe it's because I'm further along the most of the May MTB (due date is May 4th).
Back aches when I sit, when I stand, whenever.

What are you doing the alleviate the pain? I haven't really found anything that helps really well, other than laying on my back on a couch for a bit, which I can't really do at work, and the pain just resumes when I get back up...

tripledaggerWed95976 · March 2016

I do yoga 5 days a week and it has really helped me have a (fairly) painless pregnancy. are there some prenatal yoga classes in your area that you could try?

pelicanesque · March 2016

tripledaggerWed95976 said:

I do yoga 5 days a week and it has really helped me have a (fairly) painless pregnancy. are there some prenatal yoga classes in your area that you could try?

I do prenatal yoga (following a great youtube video I found) on my own maybe twice a week for about 45 minutes, and when my back is bugging me on other days, I'll do my favorite yoga back stretches from the course (squat, pigeon pose, child's pose, cat/cow). But it's not enough, sadly. I wonder if it's because I'm carrying very "forward"? As in, my belly is all out front.

LadySamLady · March 2016

I've been dealing with terrible back/hip/pelvis pain for a few weeks now and it is really hard. I'm nearly always in pain. I tried the chiropractor but that didn't help. I've been doing stretches but it doesn't help much either. I even bought an expensive support garment/girdle but it's also not doing much. I make sure to walk as much as I can even though it is painful and I can only wobble along very slowly. It is really frustrating but I'm trying my best not to let it get me down. I know it will get better after baby girl is born and I'm just so grateful that she is healthy. But yeah, it totally sucks.

If you find something that works for you, please let me know!

jthomas2270 · March 2016

I've been seeing a physical therapist which has really helped. I have a toddler so trying no to lift him as much as normal really helps

jthomas2270 · March 2016

Also a heating pad just on warm feels amazing on my back.

NinnyJean · March 2016

It may sound strange by I've found wearing heels to really help my back/hip pain. Current theory is because it helps you stand straighter and helps with posture. Not sure if I'm just weird or it may work for others!

Kurrant · March 2016

Due between April 24th and May 2nd here (cant get OB and US tech to agree) and I have been dealing with intense lower back pain for weeks. I get MH to rub my lower back just before I go to sleep which helps. Baths, hot compresses and back stretching seem to ease it a bit as well.

lalala2004 · March 2016

It has come up before, many times.

I always recommend a chiropractor who has experience with adjusting pregnant women.

Anytime I have trouble, a visit to her helps, but I've only had to go twice!

Par13 · March 2016

Are/were you a runner, by chance?

Last pregnancy, I ran a lot from the beginning of my pregnancy to around 21 weeks (when I did a half marathon), then I developed terrible sciatica. I ended up seeing a chiro who specialized in pregnant women and that really helped make life bearable for the rest of my pregnancy (never totally pain-free until delivery though).

This pregnancy, I did a little running during the first trimester (nothing longer than a 5k) and then switched to incline walking and stairstepper. I've been feeling much better this time around - and whenever I have some lower back pain, walking or the stairstepper machine seems to help.

It's totally possible that the difference in my back pain is just a difference in pregnancies, but I'm hoping my lower impact workouts have helped.

KidShrink · March 2016

I see a pelvic health physio, a massage therapist, and now a chiropractor. I have absolutely awful hip and lower back pain at night, which means I'm okay to sleep a few hours a night, and spend the rest awake in pain. Both my physio and now the chiro (saw her for the first time on Friday) agree that my pelvis is misaligned. So far, the massage is what has provided most relief. I had my first chiro adjustment yesterday, and it seems like it (hopefully temporarily) increased the pain...so I slept about 3 hrs last night and was in tears by the time my husbad woke up. I'm almost 32 weeks right now...and it pains me to complain about anything about this pregnancy which we wanted so bad for two years. I'm seriously hoping this resolves or at least improves a bit soon...I'm working until early April, and just need some sleep...

kporter18 · March 2016

I'm due may 4th also (almost 32 weeks) and have been dealing with extreme back and hip pain the past month or so. I can't find any sort of relief. But I have also struggled with back problems for the past 6+ years from previous injuries from horse back riding. I have bulged disks as well as a pinched nerve that causes numbness all the way down m left leg. I was on nerve pills prior to becoming pregnant but I obviously quit taking them as soon as I found out. But the amount of back pain I've been in just this past little bit has been worse than I've ever had. If anyone has any advice on what could possibly help, I can't imagine how much worse it will be in the coming weeks.

kbrands7 · March 2016

Lots of squatting, being sure to sit up straight rather than tired-slouching, and weekly trips to a Webster certified chiropractor since the beginning of the third trimester.

BeansMom2014 · March 2016

OMG yes. I threw my back out this morning. Is anyone, by any chance, in the LA (south bay) area and have a recommendation for a chiro? My OB didn't have any names for me. I'm in horrendous pain and can hardly move. I'll probably end up in urgent care tomorrow if it doesn't get better. SO frustrating.

MrsKubley · March 2016

Swimming, baths, heating pad, back rubs, a pillow for lumbar support. All helpful but mostly just while they're happening. I have terrible sciatica this pregnancy, I'm having twins so they press on all sorts of terribly painful places because they're starting to get cramped.
I'm about as big now (28 weeks) as I got with my son at 40+5. So I'm also starting to just get random pain all over. 10 weeks to go for me!

mumbolino · March 2016

My back has been a mess since early on ( started in week 8 or 9!) tried everything from chiro to massage to physio. Nothing really helped much. All I can do is try to be relaxed, meditate, focus on positive things rather than the pain... I just pray this will improve and stop after baby is born!!

proudparent2b · March 2016

Daily exercise is a must for me to keep the aches and pains away!

pelicanesque · March 2016

New thing a friend recommended, whose wife was having the same kind of soreness in the same place as me: hard rubber ball (size of tennis ball), have someone roll it against your back. Or, what I just did at a show tonight, sitting in an uncomfortable booth for 3+ hours, place it between your back and the back of your chair/seat and roll it around. It felt great! Or at the very least, was kind of fun/distracting.

JoMunson · March 2016

I get cramp- like pain in my lower back if I (1) haven't had enough water and (2) have been lifting or basically doing anything strenuous. It usually subsides for me if I lay down for a few minutes and breathe.

Bltbear82 · March 2016

My toddler has decided he doesn't want to always ride in the stroller or hold my hand on the street so I'm left with the only option of carrying him for multiple blocks and my back and hips ache after and I'm 32 weeks on Weds. I've been using a heating pad and foam rolling, seems to be doing the trick. I rolled all the time last pregnancy and had much fewer aches and pains so I'm trying to sit on the roller for a few minutes every night, relieves so much tension in my lower back.

Lusitano8 · March 2016

Yes! I've always had some lower back pain pre preg due to sports injuries. So I've had pain since I started gaining in the 2nd tri. I have what you describe where I can never be comfortable in the same position for long. Here's a combo of things that help me:Use a foam roller at night on back and legs, Stretch as much as possible, get up and walk at work every hour.

I'm starting to see a chiropractor that specializes in prenatal care! Look to see what your insurance will cover!
I'm due May 5th smile:

Spylon · March 2016

Yep, lower back pain but especially hip pain here. It started early for me, and at first regular visits to the chiropractor were really helping, but my last visit did nothing. I find a heating pad and frequent baths help a little, plus some hip stretches on an exercise ball. Honestly I've just resigned myself to the fact that this is my life until the baby comes. It helps.

swflJD · March 2016

@pelicanesque I just recently started having lower back pain - usually after sitting for long periods of time at my desk at work. I got this mesh lumbar support for my desk chair last week. It was only about $10 at Bed Bath & Beyond, and it has helped a lot. I also use a heating pad in the evenings before bed.
Kiss My Back Ergonomic Mesh Back Support

Kiss My Back Ergonomic Mesh Back Support

dsmith211 · March 2016

swflJD said:

@pelicanesque I just recently started having lower back pain - usually after sitting for long periods of time at my desk at work. I got this mesh lumbar support for my desk chair last week. It was only about $10 at Bed Bath & Beyond, and it has helped a lot. I also use a heating pad in the evenings before bed.

I have one of those at work! They were actually nice enough and bought one for me bc it was either that or a brand new chair, but it does help a lot to reduce any discomfort throughout the day.

Kurrant · March 2016

swflJD said:

@pelicanesque I just recently started having lower back pain - usually after sitting for long periods of time at my desk at work. I got this mesh lumbar support for my desk chair last week. It was only about $10 at Bed Bath & Beyond, and it has helped a lot. I also use a heating pad in the evenings before bed.

Wow . . . That thing looks great! I use a sofa pillow when sitting at my desk but it gets smushed real fast so I have to keep twisting and adjusting. Wonder if Bed Bath and Beyond ships here. We have the stores but they don't sell this item.

Edit: after looking I can't see the item on the USA store either

araecasey · March 2016

lalala2004 said:

It has come up before, many times.

I always recommend a chiropractor who has experience with adjusting pregnant women.

Anytime I have trouble, a visit to her helps, but I've only had to go twice!

So. Many. Times.

araecasey · March 2016

Here are a handful of previous threads about back pain. Lots of good info shared, hopefully you find something that helps you feel better, @pelicanesque !

https://forums.thebump.com/discussion/12655566/back-pain
https://forums.thebump.com/discussion/12641255/this-back-pain-is-killing-me-any-ideas
https://forums.thebump.com/discussion/12636798/lower-back-pain
https://forums.thebump.com/discussion/12658130/back-problems
https://forums.thebump.com/discussion/12663619/sacroiliac-joint-pain

TheThornBird · March 2016

What's helped me the most is simple lower back stretches and strengthening exercises. I can post some examples of you're interested. I've also had a lot of luck with relaxation techniques- 20-30 minutes of guided relaxation can help teach your muscles to relax and let the tension melt away. I also sit on one of those giant inflatable exercise balls any time I need to sit (which makes me look like a huge idiot at work, lol).

A lot of people recommend a chiropractor, and I saw one who specialized in Webster/pregnancy, and it did nothing for me. I felt a little better after the first adjustment (which lasted only for a few hours) and all subsequent adjustments did nothing at all or actually made it worse. Hip stretches didn't help much either- I think most of my tension has been in my low back, not my hips, so so stretching my hip muscles more just made it easier for my tight back to pull my pelvic bones out of alignment.

Oh, what also helped was learning how to use my pelvis/pelvic floor/hips properly throughout the day- how stand, sit down, get up from sitting, walk, etc. I can post more information on this if you'd like.

pelicanesque · March 2016

Bltbear82 said:

I've been using a heating pad and foam rolling, seems to be doing the trick. I rolled all the time last pregnancy and had much fewer aches and pains so I'm trying to sit on the roller for a few minutes every night, relieves so much tension in my lower back.

What do you mean by "sit on the roller"? Having a hard time visualizing, and I think I have one that I can use. Thanks!

pelicanesque · March 2016

I did some yoga yesterday to try to alleviate the back pain, concentrating on stretching back muscles and it made it worse!! I think I pulled something...like a muscle between my shoulder blades. Had to deal with hot and cold packs when I wasn't in public...just sitting in a car was torture unless I had a a cold pack and the seat fully reclined. Sitting down seems to aggravate it more, too. If I stand up, it feels a little better. Arggggh!

Bltbear82 · March 2016

Since my tension is primarily in the area below my lower back and above my butt I start out by literally sitting on the roller, put my hands behind me, and gently roll my feet forward. This video is a good example of what I do. It isn't the most comfortable but it always helps with muscle tightness for me.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=H_LSUw2bdEA

pelicanesque · March 2016

araecasey said:

lalala2004 said:

It has come up before, many times.

I always recommend a chiropractor who has experience with adjusting pregnant women.

Anytime I have trouble, a visit to her helps, but I've only had to go twice!

So. Many. Times.

I know. I just thought it helpful to chat about it with other women in the same place as me (hence posting on the May 2016 board). I've been pretty fortunate to have a fairly smooth pregnancy up until this point (and post 1st tri). Maybe there is a more specific kind of back pain that happens in the 3rd tri, maybe linked to a more rapidly expanding belly and maybe how you're "carrying". It helps me to see context rather than generic "pregnancy back pain" posts that I can easily track down with a google search. I'm not an idiot and know how to use a search box. The whole point of these month boards are to commiserate/celebrate together while we're all roughly at the same stage, right?

Hoping all you other ladies are managing OK! Thanks to all so far that have shared tips...they are helpful!

LadySamLady · March 2016

@pelicanesque I'm not sure if sciatica is one of your issues but mine has really eased up the past few days and all because LO shifted her position from my left to right sides. I'm just saying, there is hope it will get a little better on it's own! I'm still having a lot of back/hip/pelvis pain but I can actually walk without sharp pains shooting from my back down my left leg now. It is amazing! I spent a lot of time with my heating pad over the weekend and I wonder if it might have encouraged her to move - if she was "running" from the heat - or if the heat actually helped too. Hope you get some relief soon!

pelicanesque · March 2016

LadySamLady said:

@pelicanesque I'm not sure if sciatica is one of your issues but mine has really eased up the past few days and all because LO shifted her position from my left to right sides. I'm just saying, there is hope it will get a little better on it's own! I'm still having a lot of back/hip/pelvis pain but I can actually walk without sharp pains shooting from my back down my left leg now. It is amazing! I spent a lot of time with my heating pad over the weekend and I wonder if it might have encouraged her to move - if she was "running" from the heat - or if the heat actually helped too. Hope you get some relief soon!

Oh wow! Glad to hear you got relief. I definitely heard someone mention that you could use a heat pad to "move" the baby, as they are attracted to the heat!

LadySamLady · March 2016

Just thought I'd mention, At my appt today, my doctor recommended acupuncture as the best way to remedy pain. And so if my sciatica returns or my pain gets any worse, that's what I'll be doing. She did say that it isn't long lasting relief but when she was pregnant it did ease the pain for 4-5 days and then she'd go back. Of course you want to find someone who is certified and specializes in pregnancy.

lalala2004 · March 2016

pelicanesque said:

araecasey said:

lalala2004 said:

It has come up before, many times.

I always recommend a chiropractor who has experience with adjusting pregnant women.

Anytime I have trouble, a visit to her helps, but I've only had to go twice!

So. Many. Times.

I know. I just thought it helpful to chat about it with other women in the same place as me (hence posting on the May 2016 board). I've been pretty fortunate to have a fairly smooth pregnancy up until this point (and post 1st tri). Maybe there is a more specific kind of back pain that happens in the 3rd tri, maybe linked to a more rapidly expanding belly and maybe how you're "carrying". It helps me to see context rather than generic "pregnancy back pain" posts that I can easily track down with a google search. I'm not an idiot and know how to use a search box. The whole point of these month boards are to commiserate/celebrate together while we're all roughly at the same stage, right?

Hoping all you other ladies are managing OK! Thanks to all so far that have shared tips...they are helpful!

FTR @araecasey posted no less than 5 threads about back pain from this board. In your OP you said you were "surprised it hasn't come up". So yes, it has. It is perfectly acceptable to bring back old threads when new thoughts or concerns arise, and it doesn't leave people feel like they are repeating the same advice they gave on the other 5 threads, KWIM?

hellogoodbye2 · March 2016

Oh the sciatic pain has been horrible! Heating pad, yoga ball exercises, and not sitting for too long at once have helped.

balamama · March 2016

Sciatic nerve pain hit me big time this week. I'm trying to get the baby to change positions so I'm doing some cat/cow stretches and hoping for the best

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