Back Problems

Updated on April 23, 2008
R.J. asks from Clearwater, FL
12 answers

I was wondering if anyone has experienced muscle spasms in their back ater having children? I am 38 have been to a chiropractor on & off since I was 10 for lower right back problems. I have never had muscle spasms in my back before until about 3 months after having my daughter. I had her by c-section and had a spinal tap so I don't know if that has anything to do with it or not. I just know it hurts to even breath, pick my daughter up or even change her diaper without being in severe pain. It usually last a day but this episode started last night and has not ended and I am stressed cause I don't know what to do. Any advice would be great and most appreciated.

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So What Happened?

Thanks to everyone for all your advice and support in this. I have a pulled muscle on the left side of my back that made my middle back go into spasms. They wanted to give me muscle realxers but I said that I would judt take Advil. I don't like to be on medicine while taking care of my daughter by myself. I have noticed also after having her that medicine has a different reaction on me than it did before.
My back does feel better, but still sore at least I can stand up straight without loosing my breath.
Once again thank you for all your advice

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M.R.

answers from Orlando on

I had the same issue after having my son 8 years ago. I had back labor and no meds. To this day I have issues with my back locking up when I lay down. My legs go to sleep and I have to wait to get up. After having my second son, this subsided a bit. I think it was the lack of meds and my small frame that did it for me. Good luck with it. Keep seeing the Chiropractor.

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K.K.

answers from Tallahassee on

Hi R.,

So glad to hear things are better. Take the advice of others and try what works for you. I just thought I would add something for the future. I had a similar problem after my child was older but not walking or if I had to pick him up for some reason. I work in the medical field and I am surrounded by nurses and doctors. I was told to put one leg on either side of my hips and not to carry him on one hip---what so many of us mothers have done for years, which puts all of the weight on one side. It amazed my how it worked. So I hope this will be helpful down the line. God bless you and your beautiful girl.

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L.P.

answers from Tampa on

Hi R.,

I had similar problems after having my daughter by c-section. It only lasted until she was about 4-5 months old but was really painful when it did happen. I think it had something to do with the spinal tap but i'm not sure and I never talked to a doctor about it. I'm not sure how old your daughter is but you might want to talk to the doctor about it if it lasts too much longer. There's probably something they can do to help. Good luck!! Hope you feel better soon!

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M.B.

answers from Orlando on

R.,

After I had my fourth child I had back pain. It started a couple of days after giving birth. I had natural birth with no epidural/pain killers or anything. I also elected not to push and just allowed her to take her time coming out. So, despite very different birth experiences, it sounds like we both must have injured (pulled muscles?) during the birthing process. Anyway, I could barely walk. The pain would shoot down my back and all the way through my right leg. I had to limp for about a month. The doctor wanted to presribe me something for the pain, even though I was breast-feeding, but I declined. I did take Tylenol though. Basically, the only thing that healed me was time. I could hardly even sleep because the pain was so intense and I couldn't roll over in bed. Eventually it just healed on its own. She is three now and I still have troubles with my back (I pulled it just this morning trying to adjust handlebars on a spinning bike). I would recommend using a heating pad or rice sock. I also like to use those stick-on self-heating pads that you can buy in drug stores. The are portable and last up to 8 hours. When I drive in my car I use the seat heaters. The heat, stretching, and use of Tylenol or Advil can help ease your pain until it heals. I hope you feel better soon. It isn't easy carrying around and caring for a young child when you are in such pain. Those car seat carriers are torture when your back hurts!

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T.F.

answers from San Francisco on

I had problems similar to yours after a c-section and very recently I had a cervical cerclage put in and they did a spinal. My back hurt for days. I think though that you have an an underlying problem that is probably aggravated by the meds used for your c-section. I would see a pain specialist in addition to your chiropractor. It could be something totally unrelated but I would check it out. My back pain went away but what really bugs me is the soreness and numbness that I feel after the c-section. Best of luck to you.

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M.H.

answers from Tampa on

Ouch! I had spasms last year. I also had a c-section, but it was 7 years ago. They weren't really sure what the cause was. I went to physical therapy and basically did excercises. Being lazy and busy, I didn't continue them at home. The spasms lasted about a week, then were folLowed by chronic pain. Eventually, it all went away. Now I just get soreness in the morning. Unfortunetely, I don't have any specific advice. I do, however, understand how extremely painful spasms are. I equated them with labor contractions. Good luck!

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K.W.

answers from Pensacola on

It could be a combo of both because after I had an epidural which you probably had one while having c section my back did the same thing as well that is from the nerves repairing themselves but if it gets worse see your doctor and have them check it out! But spinal tap would really do some damage if you flinch just a little bit while they are doing it!

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K.C.

answers from Tampa on

Hi,

I read this and told my husband about your back problem. He is a chiropractor. Here's what he has to say:

From what you wrote, it appears that the pain may be caused by inflammation of the joints. His advice is to get a series of adjustments (about 5-6)within a 2 week period followed by some core strengthening exercises. What many people don't understand with chiropractic, if your body has had trauma and you're experiencing severe pain, 1 visit is not going to fix it. The adjustments accelerate the healing process. Please feel free to send a pm if you have any questions. Hope you're feeling better.

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A.A.

answers from Tampa on

i have similar back issues. my last major spasm occured just before a long haul flight with my 8 mth. old daughter.after recieving a full body massage , my spasms actually got worse.Don,t get me wrong thou, I do advocate massage! i then went to the doctor who prescibed a combo of pain meds, muscle relaxants and anti inflammatories. It all kicked in immediately and made my journey very comfortable instead of a horror show. I find my spasms are brought on when i am under constant stress and don,t have time to relax. I am a "doer" personality , so now I try to recognize when I am holding a lot of tension and try to relax and stretch out(yoga is very helpful). My advice would also be to cut back on lifting heavy things ie;baby! strollers , groceries.Also , limit how much vaccuming and mopping you do...very stressful on the back muscles as it is so one sided.Once a muscle is inflammed it needs to be rested until the swelling has reduced.Epson salt baths can also be very helpul as the magnesium salts will relak the muscle. Aromathery oils, such as rosemary and thyme in an oil blend can also relax muscles.All the best!

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H.Y.

answers from Tampa on

Ask your chiro about using a TENS unit. It will definately stop the pain & its portable & easy to use.

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T.C.

answers from Jacksonville on

Hi R.! You should try physical therapy. It may be a little time consuming but in my opinion the benefits from therapy outlast those from the chiropractor. Chiropractors deal more with your bones not muscles. Yes, therapy will have you do exercises and that kind of thing but a therapists goal is going to be to teach you to help yourself relieve the pain with the hopes of avoiding surgery and possibly the use of medication. I had some back pains after my pregnancy as well but because I use to work in a physical therapy clinic, I knew the kind of exercises to get myself feeling better. Think about it, the muscles in your abdomen have been out of use for 9months...and longer when you figure healing time after have your baby. Your back has been overworked all this time and your abdominal muscles are weak now causing an imbalance. Try icing or heat for 10-15min at a time too(everyone reacts different to the hot/cold so try both). Hope I was able to help. Good Luck!!!

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K.R.

answers from Fort Myers on

Hi R., I am sorry you are experiencing such pain. I highky reccommend my chiropractor, her name is Dr. Stevens she has an office in Fort Myers on Metro Pkwy ###-###-#### or in Sanibel ###-###-####. She is a mom, and just an honest & caring women. If you don;t have x-rays she will take x-rays and I promise if she can't treat you she will tell you what you need to do. Without insurance an adjustment is 41.00, like otehr chiro's I have been to, she tells you to call her if you need another appointmet - she doesn't make you feel like she is just trying to get money out of you. Her entire staff is caring and kind, her son is 15 months old. She saw me once when I was pregnant and has seen me since, I get bad headaches and when she adjusts me they go away within hours. I hope this helps - I would certainly give her a call if she is near you.

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