Chronic Back Pain Relief???

Hi Ladies

So I'm suffering from hellish back pain - DH has to sit me up and help me roll over sometimes etc. I have a bad back anyway thanks to an accident when I was 12 that left me without the use of some of the muscles in my back - my lower abs have been picking up the slack ever since. I usually take anti-inflams or prescription painkillers for it, but I can't take them while pg and I was coping okay up until about a week or two ago but now its just too much! I also can't do my stretches which require me to lie on my stomach.

I bought a maternity support brace however it doesn't really do anything for me unless I'm standing up.

I don't have any pelvic/hip pain, and the epicentre of the pain is usually between the bottom of my shoulder blades or a fraction lower, so I doubt this is SPD.

Does anyone know anything I can do? Any natural remedies I can take? I'd love to be able to afford acupuncture/chiro/osteo/physio but its just not in the budget :(

Have you tried a TENS machine?

Heres some info... TENS

See what you think :)

I have a bad back due to my trade, and was in agony from it while pg (I actually got stuck a few times and had to wait for dh to get home from work to help me up!!) I tried to sit and bounce gently on a fit ball, swim as much as possible (I didn't want to swim coz I felt like a pg whale and didn't want to wear bathers but it just helps Soooooo much) I also have a little hand held tens machine (cost about $40 I think?) that really helped. If you can, lay on the floor on your back with your arms flat out the sides and look to the left, then tuck your left knee as far over to the right as you need to feel it pull but not hurt, and hold for 20 seconds, then swap sides. Worked for me :)

Thanks for the suggestions ladies :)

The TENS machine looks like a good option - DH could get benefit from it too since he gets shoulder pain from work pretty regularly. Its pretty exy but I'll call my health fund tomorrow and see if I can claim something back through them...maybe we could even write it off on DH's tax! That would be awesome lol

I can kind of do that stretch, its one of my regular ones (my physio used to call it the 'crucifix' stretch or 'Jesus' stretch lol) but I can't get very far with it because my belly gets in the way! It was working well up until about a month ago though.

If the pain is coming from your thorasic spine, you could try the following

roll a hand towel up and lay it on the floor
Lay on the floor, with the top edge of the towel just below your sore point on your spine
Lay for 30 secs unless it is really painful... You can move it down your spine as needed

It is a home method of manipulation...

you can also try sitting against a wall with a tennis ball between your back and the wall. Move it around to get the right spot.

I'm a BIG fan of ice. It takes away the inflammation. I have a very nice (note sarcasm) injury and ice is my best friend when I stupidly let myself run out of meds or can't take them.

You don't have to pay much for a tens machine, mine was off eBay I think $40 Inc postage and gel pads, I've had it for about 5 years now and it's never missed a beat. Small enough to fit in a handbag too :)

I have chronic back pain and also rely quite a bit on anti-inflams. In my case, my pain goes into remission during pregnancy, but makes up for it after bub arrives :(. Now that I am breastfeeding, anti-inflams are a big no-no. My doctor suggested I try Panadol Osteo, which have definitely helped. They are a lot stronger than panadol and are slow release (over 6 hours). I am not sure if you can take them during pregnancy, but given that they are only paracetamol, you may well be able to. Perhaps ask your GP or the chemist? They have really helped me a lot! I can sympathise and hope you find some relief for your pain.