Suggestions for back pain!

I have an existing injury (ruptured the L4/5 disc 2.5 years ago) and to be honest I'm quite surprised how well my back has held up this pregnancy. I've been seeing a chiro regularly which has helped and I've managed to make it through most of the pregnancy without pain killers. Thanks to spending 3 days gardening (on my hands and knees pulling weeds) and doing housework before an inspection, I'm now in quite a bit of pain. I am struggling to walk as every time I put any weight on my left leg, I get horrid pain in my back. It's possible that Shoopy's position could be adding to the pain given I'm 4 days off my due date and I suspect she is posterior, but I'm not really sure. For the most part if I'm sitting or laying down I don't have any pain, it's only when I try and move, though at the moment my back is aching a little while I'm sitting here.

I've been putting a heat pack on it, last night and then again tonight I've taken some panadeine forte (which I'm trying to avoid taking as much as possible), resting as much as I can.....Is there anything else anyone can suggest that may help? I'll be calling the chiro on Monday to try and get in asap but would love any suggestions for anything else I can do in the mean time. I should also mention that cold packs are no good for me. I know they help some people, but I find the cold just aggravates my back more.

Maybe a TENS machine I found it fantastic for my back during pregnancy and I had all back labour and it was great for that also a hotish shower. You can hire TENS machines through a physio I think. Back pain is awful hope it feel better soon and you get some relief

Can you get to a swimming pool? swimming or floating or walking in the water can help loosen you up

is it sciatica pain? trying to curl up in a ball (not so easy when you are 39 weeks pregnant) and rub along your bum and down your thigh can help relieve it for a little while.

if you have a shower head with a strong stream maybe direct it at the sore bit. spa with jets aimed at sore bit.

bouncing, swaying on a fitball

get down on hands and knees and sway/rock. might also help baby to change position.

Not sure which ideas will help, but they are what i have/would try. hope you feel better soon. :hug:

Try ice. It takes away the inflammation. I'd suggest stretching but at this far along that would be difficult...

danita, I have a TENS machine which I've been using when I get niggles but stupidly have forgotten about now that there's lots of pain! Will pull that out of my hospital bag and give it a go tonight.

HotI it does seem to be sciatic pain as when I walk I get pain shooting into my hip and down as far as my knee! Might get DF to rub my bum and thigh while I attempt to curl up :lol: Have been bouncing on my gym ball and getting on my hands and knees but might try spending more time doing that. Will check out the local pool and see how easy it will be to get out.

Mother Goose, thanks for the suggestion but ice just makes the pain worse. You'd think it would help, but for me personally I just find that it makes my muscles tense up too much which causes my back to spasm.

Thanks for the suggestions guys, it's much appreciated :)

another idea to help with sciatica is to use a tennis ball to rub into the bum area - either sit or lay on it and move around so the ball pushes in to the sore bit. Or you can stand up against a wall with the ball on your bum cheek and push into the wall. it kinda looks like you are trying to scratch your bum on the wall, but it can relieve a bit of the pressure.

I had sciatica bad with the last pregnancy, but it got better after baby was born.