Anyone have any amazing solutions to a painful stiff back whilst pregnant? I have had a chronic bad back for about 9 years and I usually take 4 Ibuprofens per day (like Nurophens) which relieve the stiffness (not the pain, you learn to live with that) but I can't take them whilst pregnant, and especially my lower back is rather stiff. I'm not sure if magnetic therapy is safe when prega's ANY CLUES?? Hot packs don't work, nor does a shower, stretching just makes it hurt more. Any tried and true suggestions will be appreciated.
Thanks everyone. I will probably try the massage thing first. Though I believe in Chiropractors, they cost $50- per go and I can feel my back slipping out within the hour everytime, so I have learned to crack myself to save the dough. However it's the stiffness thats getting to me, usually my Ibuprfen will fix that, but thats a thing of the past for another 8 months haha. I'm allergic to chlorine so can't go to the pool, mores the pitty and it's getting a bit cold here for the lakes or the beach. But the massage sounds all do-able, and had (because I'm brain dead already) hadn't occured to me.
I like the other suggestions. You could also try a support belt. A physiotheraptist can give you one aimed at your problem. This can help suport the ligaments which contribute to a painful back.
I am really hesitant to give this advice due to the following... When i was pregnant with william i had the worst back from a VERY early stage. Someone told me to go to the Chiropractor, i did (after you go you have to remember to walk for at least 20 minutes so that you don't get stiff)- i got this done on the Tuesday, the Wednesday i was fine, but on the Thursday i could hardly move, every time i stood up i got craps through out my whole body. but when i woke up on the Friday i felt great and didn't get any other problems for about 5 months (until William started getting into position)... Like i said it worked great for the but that one day- which i got told was completely normal, was very painful.
I've always had back problems and it got worst while I was pregnant with my first, as I experienced pinched nerve. My suggestion is to see a chiropractor and have a massage once in a while. While you're pregnant your center of gravity changes and can and will cause back problems or worsen it if you already suffer from it. With regular alignment, your problem will not be as bad.
I had chiropractic adjustments while I was pregnant during both pregnancies.. (actually I still get adjustments once a month).
I find that walking around for a few minutes helps. it tends to fix the muscles again. While you can't take ibuprofen products in pregnancy, or use magnetic therapies (no research has been about the affects on an unborn baby) you can take panadiene which is paracetamol and codeine. I think the maximum you can take safely in 24 hours is 6 of them.
There is always massage to help as well. talk to your doctors and midwives and ask for a referral to a physiotherapist. The physio might then be able to teach you some gentle exercise that might help too.
Water therapies are good as well, so if you can get to a pool, then walking in water, gentle stretching in water or gentle swimming may help you.
I know how you feel! I suffer from chornic back pain as well. I know you say that streching makes it worse. I have two things that you can try. One is a deep tissue massage. This will help to relax everything and really does help. Another that I just found out, from having a massage is called a hip flexor strech. What you do is sit in a chair upright, back straight. It feels weird, like you are arching your back and take one leg and lift it and rest your ankle on your leg. then slowly bed foward until you feel it pulling tight and hold it until it feels like it's losening. Then lean foward a bit more until it feels tight again. Keep doing this until you are either laying on your leg or the belly touches. You will be surprised how tight the back gets because of your hips. If you can't lay your leg on your other leg, just work on that until you can get it up. I was told that the deep muscles in the hip become tight and thus can contribute to alot of back pain. But I think a massage along with this can give you great relief!
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