Back pain relief?

[Maruschke]

Ahh Sam that doesn't sound like fun. Do you have any heat bags? I can do a delivery for you if you need, Linda lent me a great one.

[Just Me]

I have an RSI in my lower back from lifting babies incorrectly ... 8 months of constant backpain though it is slowly improving, it is just taking it's time. Now that I am 18 weeks pg I find it is under a bit more stress so I am trying to take good care of it ...

I use one of those wheat heat packs on my back every morning for 10 mins before I start moving - usually while I eat breakfast. I find it relaxes all my muscles and warms them up so by the time I start moving it doesn't cause me heaps of pain.

The other things I do are just general back care - yoga excercises for strengthening the muscles, lifting things correctly, sitting in chairs with correct posture, not lifting things unless i have to - all that common sense stuff.

Recently my doctor recommended that I try a TENS machine (like the ones you can use in labour for pain relief) to see if that helps. I was talking about it with mum and she said that when she had something similar to my back pain they physio gave her a couple of sessions with the TENS machine so I am going to get one of those in the next couple of weeks and give it a go.

I realise my back pain is probably more muscalar and yours is to do with your bones and joints, but hopefully something there might be helpful.

I hope you get some relief soon

[Life is Good]

Thank you all so much for your feedback, I really appreciate it I have just returned from my acupuncturist and my situation is, unfortunately, not much better Perhaps it will take some time to see some improvement...

bjrose - Thanks, so much - I hadn't even thought of a belly belt. I will definitely have a chat to my osteo about whether it will help (with the arthritis, the worst thing is restricting movement to much as I am sure you know) because I do feel like some extra support and help to maintain good posture could be what I need.

Cricket - I have bought a maternity pillow for between my legs and for under my belly, but for some reason I find it so restrictive to sleep with. I think I wriggle and move so much at night that I tend to find it at the foot of the bed whenever I wake up! Perhaps I will just try a small pillow between my knees. Thanks for the tip.

Taurean - so sorry to hear about your slipped disc. I had one when I was a kid and I couldn't move! So much sympathy from me, darl I am also a flip flop junkie and today I decided that trainers would be worth a try. I am also trying to not go barefoot. Hopefully the extra cushioning will help. Thanks so much and I hope your back doesn't give you too much grief going forward.

oscaroscar - fortunately I already have a heating beanbag so not to worry, but thank you so much for the kind offer of popping around.

Townsvillegirl - Sorry to hear how you have had such ongoing back issues. I am trying not to think about how my back is going to handle lifting and carrying bubs when he arrives. I suppose at least then I will have the option to treat it medically if the need arises. I think I may definitely look at going to physio for a good rub down as Taurean suggested and perhaps I can give the TENS machine a go then (I am familiar with it and know how wonderful it is for encouraging blood circulation in stiff muscles).

Thanks again, ladies xx

[Taurean]

You're most welcome Sambo