What to do for severe back pain?

Not sciatica, but lower back pain? I'm in such pain lately. I haven't called my doctor yet because I was hoping it would go away, but I am carrying so low and my lower back feels like it's going to give out. And I am being really good about sleeping on my left side with a pillow between my legs, however, I always wake up with pain in my left lower back and my left hip I had a bad back pre-pregnancy, but when it would get this bad, I'd just take a muscle relaxer and I'd be ok in a couple of hours. I've tried heat and baths and having JT rub it. I'm just so afraid of what's going to happen when I get even bigger

Re: What to do for severe back pain?

You could get on all fours and arch your back up and down... it's only temporary but it would help "pull" your back the other way.

Re: What to do for severe back pain?

Re: What to do for severe back pain?

Of course check with your Dr. first, but what about a heating pad?

Re: What to do for severe back pain?

Re: What to do for severe back pain?

DH massages me, I use a heating pad or I let the hot water roll down my back in the shower. All work well. Feel better

Re: What to do for severe back pain?

Awww I so feel for you! When I first found out I was pregnant, I had a SEVERE backache for that first week. It was so bad that I screamed with the pain.

I have to admit..I tried heat, massage, cold, hot showers...everything..nothing worked. I caved and took tylenol and could care less at that point..I just wanted the pain to go away. With the tylenol and heat...and also a back brace...it helped a bit. I have a bad back to begin with and I am sure as time goes on, it will get worse. The back brace helped so much..it took the pressure off the nerve..also I have a deep massaging machine (I think from Brookstone) that really worked wonders.

I really hope you feel better..I wouldnt wish that pain on my worst enemy. Keep us updated!

Re: What to do for severe back pain?

I had lower back pain before becoming pg which has since gotten worse, but I take prenatal yoga which helps tremendously. One of the most relieving poses for me is to lay on the floor with your butt right up against the wall and put your legs straight up against the wall. This takes the pressure off your hips and lower back and then do some pelvic tilts. (This also helps alot w/swelling in our legs as gravity helps reverse the blood flow.)

If that is uncomf. you can just lay on the floor w/your knees bent at right angles up onto the couch or chair.

Good luck, I know how unbearable it is, our bodies are being pushed and stretched in ways that we are not used to! I don't know what I"d do without this yoga class once a week. I hope you feel better!

Re: What to do for severe back pain?

Do you have an exercise ball? Sitting on that with my legs kind of spread was always comforting. Warm baths also helped alot to relax my muscles.

Re: What to do for severe back pain?

Sitting Indian Style (or the politically correct "pretzel style") is extremely helpful. The pillow when you're sleeping you're already doing...hmmm..I noticed a lot of my stiffness in my back was when I first woke up in the morning. I assumed it was because while sleeping I didn't move as much as I did when I wasn't pregnant.

I did go to a chiropractor when it got really bad. Just be absolutely sure they've adjusted pregnant women. It shouldn't feel like a regular adjustment, it should done with a lot less pressure. I'm still convinced that my last adjustment during my first pregnancy was the reason I went into labor too early.

Feel better.

Re: What to do for severe back pain?

I've been in EXTREME pain for a few weeks now. I have a back brace, sit with a back pillow... I can go on and on.
I see a pregancy chiropractor specialist who is terrific. I see her once a week and she has taught me how to stretch, she massages me and stretches me and most importantly explained to me why this is happening!

FM me if you'd like her info... she actually takes my insurance!

Also--- She told me heating pads are BAD for the baby! So maybe consider stop using them for a while...

Re: What to do for severe back pain?

Maybe physical therapy would help. I've heard of alot of women who need it during pregnancy. Also, I would use BenGay or something other than a heating pad. I don't if it's real or not, but I worry about the "electromagnetic field" from heating pads. I know heating blankets are bad for the fetus. I really hope you get some relief soon. I know how bad back pain can be.

Message edited 2/21/2006 11:20:20 AM.

Re: What to do for severe back pain?

not sure if you can use them when pregers but I have use the self warming cura heat pain patches i the past and they are amazing!

feel better!