For some reason I have a super super weak core. I try and exercise it but it never seems to build up any strength. Due to this I am constantly straining my lower back muscles. I personally don't understand how anyone with kids could not be in this kind of pain. They want to be carried, you have to pick up a middle of the road tantrum, bending over and picking up 398 toys per day off the floor, reaching and leaning over the counters/washer/dryer/sink - etc I also have allergies and it kills my back if I don't grab onto something when I sneeze a million times per day. It seems to never heal enough before it get strained again for long periods of intensive core strength exercises. It's a never ending circle where I am mostly in pain. Oh and I try to use my legs as much as possible when lifting. It's the reaching and lifting that's getting me.
I have been to the chiropractor many times and I know when to use ice and heat but this last episode is going on for a month or so now. I walk hunched over and wake up horribly contorted. DH loves our mattress so we can't get another.
Anyone else suffer with this and know of any tips or tricks to get my back healed and stronger? I feel like such a grandma. I use a grabber to pick up toys to reduce bending over.
Thanks for all your help. I will call my regular doctor to get into a PT. I also ordered that Pilates book and DVD
Go to a medical doctor. Chiropractors don't have the answer to everything. I had a similar problem about a year ago. Pain so bad I could hardly do anything. My doctor referred me to a physical therapist who did a variety of treatments for about six weeks. He also have me exercises to do at home with a resistance band. I have not had any back pain since.
I have scoliosis and find that doing pilates and yoga regularly is the ticket for me.
I'm thinking that you don't have back pain due to lack of abdominal muscles, you have something more serious, in nature. For a long time, my husband had the same nagging back pain; we got a new mattress, he tried working out more to strengthen his core, etc. He ended up having a ruptured disc and had to have surgery, which probably could have been avoided if he would have been treated sooner.
You need to see a doctor who's specialized in orthopedics and spine medicine. Check your insurance and be sure you don't need a referral from your primary care physician before you go and just see anyone, though. Good luck!
Go to a physiotherapist. You need proper professional help!
I'm basically copying/pasting my response to another question from like 10 minutes ago. I can completely relate - especially about the sneezing part. I would have to "get in position" in order to sneeze and not have it feel like someone was stabbing a knife into my lower back. I was miserable.
I have a degenerative disc in my L5/S1 (low back) caused by my first pregnancy. Before this diagnosis, I saw about 4 different chiropractors over the course of about 16 months that all tried to fix me in different ways, but the nature of my pain/injury was not discovered until my OB recommended a real MD. I had an MRI and discovered that I had inflammation in my tissue that had spread to the bone, which apparently can be extremely painful (you're telling me...).
After getting an accurate diagnosis, I was able to effectively treat and overcome the pain. The first treatment was a steroid injection into my back, which didn't work. So I went on oral anti-inflammatory meds for a little while and was fanatical about getting strong - going to the gym every day at 5AM for strength training, doing Pilates a few times a week. It was a small sacrifice that worked WONDERS and almost completely eliminated my pain. I will never be 100% and had to give some things up like snowboarding and helping friends move (oh, darn), but I am so much better off now (even now and I'm 7 months pregnant and have a HUGE belly).
I'm not sure what core exercises you are doing, but sit-ups will most likely not help you at all. I recommend you find effective strength-building core exercises and be religious about performing them regularly. Good luck! I really know where you are coming from and it is truly miserable living with back pain.
Riley knows.
http://www.mamapedia.com/questions/16418838149037490177
PROPS TO RILEY!!! I LOVE THIS EXERCISE!
M., you need to go an orthopedic doctor who specializes in backs, get some prescription strength ibruprophen or stronger for the swelling you have in there (and you have it, I promise you) and then go to physical therapy. They would give you specific exercises to help your core, I promise.
Acupuncture would also help, but in conjunction with the PT. Without strengthening your core, you'll just keep rehurting your back.
Massage therapy, which the PT can either do or find someone who would work with your program, can help as well.
Time consuming, I know, but important.
Hope you feel better soon!
Dawn
I'm sorry M.. I too have struggled with bouts of back pain (in my case I think it is genetic and pregnancy, breastfeeding and taking care of kids only exacerbates it). It can really affect your quality of life! That said, I have found some relief with a combination of both Pilates and regular chiropractic visits. I think it was at least 3-4 weeks before I started feeling the benefits of Pilates, but I would definitely recommend it. I have only used an at-home DVD (Simply Pilates by Jennifer Pohlman) so I am not talking about anything extreme. I needed something I could when the kids were in bed. I hope that helps. Good luck to you. I hope you are able to find more permanent relief!
