Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with backpain

Advice needed for purchasing crutches and dealing emotionally and functionally with a minor disability.

moira — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 13:08:22 -0800

Advice needed for purchasing and using a pair of forearm crutches, and how to deal better, functionally and emotionally, with what I guess could be termed a minor disability. This is a three-part question. I don't know how to ask this in a succinct way, so I'm going to go the TMI route in hope for the best pertinent answers.

I have a condition that results in pelvic girdle and low back that fluctuates according to my hormone levels or how badly I've stressed the area. Specifically, I have sacroiliac joint dysfunction, osteitis pubis, and lumbosacral pain all due to hypermobility. I've had most of this for going on four years now. It resulted from my pregnancy.

After having gone through physical therapy, sometimes I'm just fine, with no pain at all, and things are firmly in the right place. During these times, I'm somewhat limited in what I can physically do. I have to take care not to move wrongly, too quickly, or with jarring movements. Leaning, twisting, driving, and uneven sitting and weight bearing all have potential to cause problems, but I am able to do it to some degree. I'm able to lift light weight. When I do move imperfectly during these times, by body is better able to absorb it. I'm able to walk longish distances.

Sometimes something is just wrong enough to cause a deep ache, which additionally limits my movements. Being on my feet for very long, such as through a grocery shopping trip, causes a good deal of discomfort and fatigue. I'm must be careful in how, and how much, I move. My chances of exacerbating it to the point of significant pain is significantly increased.

Sometimes something is very wrong, and I get severe, sharp pains with the wrong movement, which can include taking steps, turning over in bed, bending, being wrongly positioned, or standing with weight unevenly distributed. During these times I lay on my back as much as possible, trying to minimize the length of time I'm incapacitated and in pain by trying like hell not to aggravate anything. I get treated, and I slowly recover.

---
I spent most of my pregnancy on my back and on crutches, months afterwards not much better, and have had frequent, repeated down times. My husband has taken on a heavy burden because of it. He has had to clean, take care of our little girl when I couldn't, cook when I couldn't, move us to two different homes, take care of me and so much more.

In July I put myself through four weeks of physical therapy, and have exercised and done my physical therapy nearly every day since then. It changed my life. I went through a long period of time with little to no pain, able to do things I hadn't in years. I've recently become more hypermobile, however, with the result being an increase in down time again. I accepted a couple of days ago that this is going to be the nature of it, for the rest of my life. It won't go away even with perfect maintenance, and it will probably get worse.

I'm sick of being afraid to move, of being unable to go places because I cannot walk far or sit long, and of creating more burden for my husband. I've decided it's time to stop running up against the wall, accept what is, and accomodate for it more than we have.

Some things we'll be implementing are: a shower bench and detachable shower head, cat litter boxes raised on a shelf, a chair in our little girl's room to allow me to read books to her and rock with her without having to get down on the floor, ordering groceries online when necessary, paying a professional to come in and clean our bathrooms every once in a while, eventually moving to a place with accessible laundry, and sucking it up and using my crutches on occasion.

The crutches are the sticking point. I often don't know what my body is going to do. I usually know when I'm absolutely okay and can leave the crutches at home, but there are other times when I just can't predict. I can walk around and be fine with maybe a twinge or two, walk around and be sore, or walk a quarter of the way in to where I'm going to get hit by pain and be nearly unable to make the (seemingly miles-long) walk to get back out again. (From recent experience, the most likely is being sore, which leads quickly to outright pain, and incapacitates me for several days afterwards.) I would feel like an ass using crutches when I don't need to. Along the same lines, I would be horrified if a friend were to see me, be more than a little surprised, and ask. How do I justify using crutches if I'm not in debilitating pain at that very moment? I'd feel like an absolute hypochondriac wimp of a drama queen looking for pity and attention by overblowing the whole thing. I mean, a large percentage of the population has low back pain, and you don't see all of them going around on crutches, do you? And then there are the complete strangers who feel the need to ask "Oh, what happened to your foot?"

I have a pair of axilliary crutches that are awkward as hell, and I've read that forearm crutches are lighter, less awkward, easier to use on stairs, and would allow me to use my hands. This appeals very much to me. (I think it's pertinent here to mention that in the U.S., forearm crutches are used almost exclusively by people with permanent disabilities, and this has exacerbated the emotional implications for me.)

My questions are:

A. What do I look for in purchasing a pair of forearm crutches for occasional use, but that would need to take me long distances in comfort when I do use them? Is this something where I should avoid getting a drugstore cheapie, and instead go the online route? Are they even appropriate for significant weight-bearing use? Am I making the right choice? What else do I need to know that I haven't thought of?

B. Can you throw out some suggestions for other accommodations I might make for myself?

C. Please help me change my perspective and stop being horrified at being caught using the crutches, feeling like I'm blowing things all out of proportion, and feeling as if I'm pretending being disabled? Alternatively, please tell me if I really am blowing things all out of proportion.

Something more descriptive than "Oww."

citywolf — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 16:04:44 -0800

How can I improve my description of my back pain to best inform my doctor? Sometimes, when I stretch a certain way, a particular part of my back hurts somethin' awful. YANMD; I plan to ask about this at my next physical.

What I am looking for is: Given that I can't always replicate this on command (why would I want to?), what questions can I ask myself that will help me inform my doctor and thereby help him narrow down the list of possible causes (and thereby hopefully reduce the number of expensive tests necessary to diagnose me)? Is there a lexicon for back pain?

How do I decide between the pill, a test, and a surgery?

grablife365 — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 21:31:51 -0800

We're still not too sure what's wrong with me. I know you are not my doctor but the decision has been left to me for the most part right now. Should I consider the CT, change pills or go straight for a Laparoscopy? Possible causes we've talked about: gall stones, hemorrhagic cyst or endometriosis. Long background and possibly TMI. If anyone has dealt with any of those three, I could use some advice. My doctor has mentioned that she's ready for the surgery when I am. Today has been a very painful and tiring day so I'm just about ready to say yes but first I need advice on whether I'm making the right choice based on whats going on.

I've had incredibly painful periods since I was 16. Among other symptoms, I get absolutely horrible cramps, occasional side pains and back ache with the back ache being the worst but with all the other menstrual stuff I'm usually to the point where I feel like passing out and would gladly take that for the next week. The pain used to start a day before and would stay for two or three days after. I have never really responded to OTC pills, or back stretches and exercise and heat only does so much. I've always had regular cycles some being heavier than others but pretty uniform.

I started the pill ( a low dose pill called Levora) from a clinic in December of 2008 prior to getting with a Doctor. I was fine for the most part but my periods were still pretty bad. Maybe a 7- 9 instead of a full blown 10 (want to pass out from pain) every time.

July 29th I had the worst pain ever in my left side, some in my right and my back pain started up. So much so that it was incredibly hard to drive 40 minutes home without near tears. I figured I was getting my period due to the back ache and thought nothing of it though I couldn't explain why my side pain was worst than it had ever been. When my back pain didn't go away after my period was ending (side pain lessened), I found a doctor (Aug 5th)who prescribed pills but didn't think it was odd that I felt too bad to walk upright and didn't find any nodules that made her think it was endo. I held off on the pills, found a new general doc (aug 20th) who told me to go ahead and take the pills (off brand of ortho tri cyclen) and I got a non transvaginal ultrasound which showed a cyst on my left ovary.

I couldn't sit, stand, laugh or lie down the first week of the pill but it got better and I was later able to walk but the back pain wasn't gone. The pain in my left side comes and goes even now.

My next appointment was somewhere in early September with the same doctor who then referred me to an OBGYN who started me on Loestrin24 in mid October since my back pains had still not stopped (it lessens on some days but hasn't stopped at all since July) with an even higher dose pill. She mentioned endometriosis being a concern. My guess is because I feel worse when my period starts or when I'm not on any pills at all but a she also mentioned gall stones.

I don't have problems eating, peeing, the back pain goes everywhere but never leaves my lower back especially my left side. I've read on gall stones and though my mother has had them I'm not sure my symptoms line up. I have had a ton of pain in the right lower front but more than anything its on my left lower front if its in front. Lower back especially left never goes away.

I saw my Doctor last Friday, changed pills and am now on Seasonique in order to cut down on how many periods I get. I've been on it a week and my pain, while better for a few days at the start, has not really improved as much as we were hoping. I can walk upright for the most part on most days (today and yesterday were not one of them) but the pain persists. My initial plan was to give it two weeks in case I react the first week like I did with the other pill.

I had a transvaginal ultrasound done Friday also. My right ovary is fine but she wasn't able to get a good enough picture of the left. Again she mentioned endometriosis but also brought up the possibility of a hemorrhagic cyst.

I don't know what would be smarter to do now. While she seemed like this wasn't just a normal, here take your pills and it will go kind of problem, she didn't immediately usher me out for surgery.

I've written all that to ask what direction it would be smarter to move in. You are not my doctor I know that and I intend to check with her next Friday but I am not sure if getting a CT would show anything or if I would waste money, if changing to yet another pill with a higher dose would be smart, if I should not delay this in case its something serious and if surgery is the best option or all of them together. She mentioned gall stones and getting a CT. She mentioned endometriosis and the cyst and said she's ready for surgery when I am. I have an appointment scheduled for January 22nd but I'm not sure I can go that long. I don't respond to anything OTC, never have but I recently tried it all again and was given Darvocet but was told to take it when I was not going anywhere or driving for the day and only when the pain is a 10 like today. I couldn't do it with the holidays and travel but I plan to do so tomorrow. Other than that I was told Motrin 600mg every 6 hours but thats yet to kick in and its been about a week.

Also my uterus is not tipped.

Has anyone been through anything similar or have advice on what I should do from here?

Sorry if this is scrambled and long.

Where can I try out fancy office chairs in California's Bay Area (SF, Alameda, Solano, Contra Costa, Napa, Marin, or Sonoma Counties)?

unclezeb — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:57:11 -0800

California - Bay Area: where can I try out crazy good office chairs? All the advice posts/asks say to test a chair out before buying and I want to try the Think, Leap, Freedom, Aeron, or your other suggestions before my office buys a new chair for me ... but where (from SF to Oakland to Sonoma to Napa) can I go to get test these chairs out? My office offered to replace my current chair and I noticed several of my co-workers have the Freedom chair which is not cheap! ($1099 on Sitforless.com).

I want to try out a few chairs before asking my office to lay out any money, but I cannot think of the right place to go for a test run?

I work in the North Bay and live in the East Bay - Can you think of anywhere to try out several of these chairs (Think, Leap, Freedom, Aeron, or your other suggestions!) nearby?

As for "other suggestions" here are my preferences if it matters:
Comfortable for someone who's "big boned"
Adjustable head rest preferred
Deep seat preferred
Fabric > leather

Thanks everyone!

Sling has slung. And it hurts.

pdb — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 13:40:37 -0800

How do I wear a sling? So it turns out I spoke too soon about nothing on my body being broken. A trip to the doc on Monday revealed a small fracture in my elbow, for which I am visiting an orthopedic surgeon on Monday. Between now and then, I have been instructed to wear a sling at all times.

So I got one, and between the instructions that came with it and a few websites I've checked, it looks like I've fitted and positioned it correctly. Problem is, it's KILLING my back. It's on my right arm, and my back hurts like crazy on my right side just at the bottom rib. Mostly when I sit, but also when I walk.

What am I doing wrong? I made sure my shoulders were square when I fitted it, and I try to sit/stand with good posture, and nothing helps. The only time it doesn't hurt is when I'm lying down. Any tips would be most appreciated.

What's a good dance for a beginning couple to learn that won't make her backache worse?

laumry — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 00:57:56 -0800

What's a good dance for a beginning couple to learn that won't make her backache worse? Hello all. A friend and I (the friend's a woman, I'm a man) would like to learn a dance - don't mind if it's ballroom or Latin or whatever. Only problem is that she suffers from a bad back sometimes. So what's a good dance to learn if the woman has occasional pain from a bad back? (Extra points if you can cite any evidence on this.)

Many thanks!

(Yes, this was inspired by the start of Strictly Come Dancing. Shame!)

Open Your Mouth and say...Wha?

Caravantea — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 11:35:08 -0800

So I went into the ER for lower back pain, and the doctor checked my ears and throat....what was the point of that? My back has been bothering me lately and it all came to a head on Thursday when I couldn't move without my back spasming...and sometimes even not moving didn't help. I went to a Chiropractor, but he didn't even look at me, he just sent me straight on to the Urgent Care (which was closed so I ended up in the ER instead). The doctor came in, checked my ears and throat....then gave me a shot and sent me home with a vicodin prescription. She didn't order x-rays, check my range of motion, or barely ask me any questions.

Is checking ears, throat, etc standard procedure? Is there some mysterious throat ailment that gives you back pain? Was there any point to that whatsoever?

Sciatica and surgery.

Framer — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 03:23:32 -0800

I've got a herniated (ruptured) L5 disc that is causing sciatica, due to the fluids from the disc sitting on my sciatic nerve. I'm in an enormous amount of constant pain, and am trying to decide whether or not to have surgery. The surgeon suggests it, of course. The chiro/accupucturist/other docs don't, but none of them have been able to help me get any relief from this pain. Has anyone here had the surgery? What's it like? What's the recovery like? Has anyone found alternative solutions?

And are there any good messageboards online specifically for medical discussions like this one?

"My back! My neck! By back AND my neck!"

scaryblackdeath — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 11:26:51 -0800

I've had sharp, upper back pain for about a week. I just woke up one morning and there it was. Do I need a chiropractor, massage, doctor or should I just man up? I'm 34. I don't exercise nearly enough. Conversely, I have a fairly light build & I'm not hefting around any sort of gut at all. Admittedly, my posture usually isn't great -- though when I sit/stand up straight, it reduces the pain noticeably.

The pain is right along my spine, and it's affecting my range of movement. It doesn't feel like a muscular thing at all. On the first night of it, I laid down on the floor for my gf to try to pop my back, but she didn't get very far with it.

Range of motion is not so good. Moving my head very far left/right or up/down results in pain that I can slowly turn through.

I had all last week off (spring break; I'm a substitute teacher), but today it's been worse & I'm really getting concerned. Naturally, I don't have any sort of insurance for this. I've never had a problem like this before, so I'm a little lost as to where to start with it.

A quick cruise of Web MD makes me think this may be a herniated disc that will eventually go away, but... insight and advice, o great collective?

Back pain: Am I just sore or have I hurt myself? And if I've hurt myself, what do I do?

juliplease — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:40:30 -0800

Back pain: Am I just sore or have I hurt myself? And if I've hurt myself, what do I do? I've recently begun a great exercise routine that I'm really excited about. I am still ramping up, so I'm only going to the gym about 3 days a week, but I use an elliptical machine for at least 30 minutes every time I go. I really like it.

But for the last few weeks, my back has been really achy for a few days at a time, and then it gets better. It doesn't really seem to coincide with my workouts; sometimes I wake up sore after days I haven't worked out. And tonight, I went to the gym for awhile, and am now feeling almost immobile because my lower back hurts so bad. Ibuprofen isn't really helping, heat does a little. Am I just that sore from working out? Or maybe I am using the machine wrong? I strained my lower back when I was a teenager, really badly, but this pain feels different. That pain was really localized and this is my entire lower back and upper butt.

What kind of doctor do I need, if they can do anything for me? I don't really have a general practitioner right now. Thanks for any advice!

back pain, is it the coughing?

Salvatorparadise — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 07:10:54 -0800

Help me with my back pain, maybe it's the coughing? Hey all, I've never had any back pain to speak of. 28 YO, in good health, regular exercise, six feet tall, was about 165 when i ran my first marathon back in October, hovering at 175 now.

For the past few weeks I've had an ache in my lower, lower back just on the right side. Frequently it also seems to hurt in my upper butt area too, essentially feeling like it has moved lower, before moving upward again. When I have tried to run, it will hurt when i put weight down on my leg as the leg comes down and hits the ground. It also sometimes has a faint dull ache.

It doesn't hurt if i move around, touch my toes, wrestle with my dog etc. Really when i put weight on my leg.

I didn't fall, lift a piano or do anything else that I know of to get this started.

What i have had though is a bad cold for weeks with a lot of coughing and hacking, sometimes very hard coughing. This pain hurts most of all when I cough.

Is it possible that this pain is somehow associated with the coughing? Like I pulled a muscle or compressed a disk or something?

I really want to get back to running again!!!!

I don't want chronic back pain!!!!!

Help me better understand what this could be. I have to go see the doc in a couple of weeks for a meds refill for something else, and so will talk to him about it then if it has continued.

Ignoring the problem doesn't help it go away.

Anonymous — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 14:49:06 -0800

I need advice on how to talk to a loved on about her chronic, but unaddressed, health problem. My girlfriend has chronic back pain, and has for as long as I've known her. It's been getting progressively worse for years, and is now to the point where she's in constant, debilitating pain. But she refuses to confront the underlying problem and instead focuses on easing the symptoms. This is partially due to her lack of health insurance, but also her distrust of doctors.

Her back pain has progressed to the point where her boss sent her home until she saw a doctor about it, which she did under heavy protest. She was given pain meds and told to rest for a week. Once the week was up and the meds were gone she went back to ignoring the problem in the hopes that it would go away. It hasn't, in fact it's worse than ever.

Long story short, she needs to see a medical professional and stop denying that there's a problem. How do I convince her of this?

Lose Weight, Gain Hurt?

blue_wardrobe — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 22:42:19 -0800

I used to get sciatica as a result of a lower back problem. It mostly went away, perversely as I put on some weight. Now, I am losing the weight to deal with the lower back pain itself, and the sciatica is coming back as the weight comes off. Coincidence, or to be expected? It seems kind of backwards to me.

Back pain

sepsis — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 09:05:13 -0800

What kind of back pain is this? My girlfriend's upper back was in a bit of pain most of the night and she had trouble sleeping. Lots of tossing and turning. This morning she woke up and tried to bend over and her whole back tensed up and she couldn't breathe and almost fainted. She's lying in bed right now, but if she moves slightly, her back hurts and she has trouble breathing. If she's not moving, her back still hurts, but only a little. This is the whole back, not just upper or lower. Any ideas on what happened, or what can be done, short of visiting the doctor (which we'll do if we have to, but prefer not to if we can help it). Thanks for your help.

Help diagnose/cure my yogic back pain.

Manhasset — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 09:23:41 -0800

Sharp back (coccyx) pain when doing yoga or working out but no other time. When I go from Plank to Downward Dog in Yoga (or hold DD for any amount of time) I feel very sharp pain in my lower back/spine/coccyx. It's brutally painful and feels more skeletal than muscular--I'm now terrified of the position and no longer do it.

I visited my doctor but it didn't happen while there.

It seems to mostly happen the further I am into a workout.

Anyone know why this is or what I can do about it? Some instructors have suggested it's a weak core but I can do about 60 pushups and over 100 situps so I find that suspicious. Plus it's not a weakness feeling but a sharp-knife-in-my-back pain, which also doesn't make me think "weakness".

Is there a futon that provides good support?

arnicae — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 12:21:13 -0800

Futonfilter: Does a futon exist with good support? My current one needs to be flipped at least weekly and beaten (no joke) to keep the Grand Canyon from yawning into existance at night. We have a queen futon place directly on the floor in a sleeping loft. For now, any replacement mattress must be able to be rolled/folded and pushed up a ladder through a 4x2 hole to get up to the loft, but we're interested in information for the future as well.

We have a ~$120 futon. We've had it for a while but it was used as a guest bed (and rarely sat/slept on) until this year. I can sleep on anything, but my partner has problems with the futon developing large craters that he falls into and wakes up with aches and pains.

We try to flip it on a regular basis and my partner beats it with a broom while I hold it up to redistribute the stuff inside the futon.

Any ideas? Is there a futon that has support? Should we be considering the rolled up latex mattresses from Ikea? thanks

Alternatives to chiropractry.

robotot — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 02:59:50 -0800

What alternatives are there to chiropractic manipulation? (Yes: I know, you are not a medical professional!) My wife recently went to a chiropractor for a sore back (muscular - we're keeping a heat pack on it and it should be fine in a day or two). He also took an xray and showed her where her spine deviates from a healthy spine. Now he wants her to come back twice a week for manipulations, otherwise it WILL get worse. What alternatives are there to spinal manipulation?

I don't altogether trust chiropractors, and am not convinced that two (expensive) sessions a week are going to help "fix" my wife's spine.

I'm thinking yoga, pilates, dance classes etc, and a generally healthy lifestyle, and just being more aware of one's posture can help fix it.
Please give me your thoughts, ideas, criticisms.

If I at least knew what to blame...

lisawin — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 12:36:49 -0800

Started with a god-awful headache early Thursday morning, developed back pain/spasms later in the day, and a fever (102.9F) that night. Everything else has subsided, but the back pain persists. So I've got a few questions... I'll try to keep this as brief and fact-oriented as possible:

--Went to bed Wednesday night with a mild headache, figured I'd sleep it off.

--Woke up 7:30 Thursday morning with what has to be the worst headache I've experienced to date. Pain was in my forehead and up, pretty consistently hurt and was worse with motion/movement.

--Took two advil (400mg total) at 9:30. Went back to sleep, woke up at 11:30 at least 40% better, took a third advil (another 200mg).

--Later in the day (I don't quite remember when), the headache had gotten mildly better, but I'd developed lower/almost mid back pain.

--Sat around with a heat pad for the back pain, headache worsened again. Turned the heat pad off for a while so i can lay down on my side and rest my head. After an hour or so I realize I have chills, and lo and behold, I have a fever of 101.6.

--Within an hour or so, my fever progressed to 102.9, so I took a tepid shower and some tylenol to bring it down. Got it down to 102.5 before going to bed.

--Woke up around 11 on Friday, temp was down to 100.5, took more tylenol for the back pain (muscle spasms). A few hours later my fever was completely gone, and my back was allowing me to function, so I got some packing and laundry done.

--Woke up yesterday and today with the back pain/muscle spasms having returned, to the point where getting out of bed or a chair is a process.

Whew. Okay, so... Other things that should probably be mentioned: I'm female, 22 years old, in decent health. Prior to Thursday, I hadn't done any heavy lifting or exercise that could've resulted in back strain. Common sense tells me that the fever was the result of an infection, but I don't know of what. Now that the muscle spasms have mostly subsided (leaving me with a stiff lower back and random little spasms if I push my luck), I'm left with some mild pressure in the lower back and to the sides a little.

So, a couple of questions (I know YANAD or YANMD):
1. Any guesses on what the heck is going on?
2. What are the chances this is something internal (my mom's theory is that it's a kidney infection, but I hesitate to jump to things like that), and not just back muscle strain or something with my spine?
3. Should I make an appointment with my GP or a chiropractor?

I'm probably forgetting something, and I tend to rant, so feel free to ask for clarification.

Are my discs slipping?

T.D. Strange — Thu, 22 May 2008 21:39:03 -0800

Sometimes when I stretch my back, it kind of pops and hurts sharply, what's up with that? Im 6'5, 175, and not in the best shape at present. I have a habit of stretching my back with arms over the head, and either turning around to left or right or leaning sideways. Sometimes when I stretch and turn, my spine (kind of mid back area, I think always the same place, but maybe not) kind of pops and I feel it slip a bit, followed by a sharp stabbing pain. Is this some sort of disc slippage? What causes it, bad posture, bad stretching motions? And is this something that would stop if I worked out those back muscles more?

Herniated disc + pregnancy = ?

HotToddy — Wed, 14 May 2008 13:19:15 -0800

Back trouble and pregnancy: Which is worse for a person with a herniated disc, a C-section (which I imagine will compromise the all-important core muscles) or vaginal delivery (which might cause the disk to rupture)? Also, I am prone to sciatica and assume that pregnancy will involve a lot of sciatic nerve pain--can this lead to a permanent worsening of my condition or would it be relieved once I gave birth? I've had surgery (microdiscectomy) for a ruptured disc at L5-S1, and have a slightly herniated disk at L4-L5. I am mostly fine now and am contemplating having a baby, but my biggest concern is the possibility of worsening my back condition. Frankly, the back pain I used to suffer was so bad that if it's a choice between having a child and being pain free, I would choose to forego having children. However, I want to have a child if there is a reasonable likelihood that it will be okay. I know nobody can predict the future, and of course I will consult with my doctors, but I'd like to get the hive mind's take on this first.

1) I have read that a C-section is bad for people with back trouble because you're slicing through the muscles that you need to have a strong core. I know that in my case, the stronger my core, the better my back. What will my abs be like after a C-section? Would it be safer than risking a ruptured disc during labor? Also, from the perspective of plain old vanity, will my stomach ever be flat again after a C-section?

2) Since even a tiny bit of constipation makes my sciatica worse, I predict that pregnancy will make it dramatically worse. I think I can bear it for 9 months, but I worry that having pressure on it for so long will somehow lead to permanent damage. Is that possible?

Any advice on these matters is welcome, although I am looking more for dry-eyed realism than "have the baby, everything will be fine!" I mean, I think I have the best chance of everything being fine if I really know ahead of time what I'm getting into and make an informed decision. Thanks for your help.

"Kosher" Position in Classic Meditation that Provides Full Back Support?

WCityMike — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 20:16:47 -0800

Are there alternatives to the lotus position for classic meditation that don't leave the back unsupported? I've found that sitting in an unsupported position, or in a chair that doesn't have a seat back, ends up making my back ache rather strongly. I've thought about investigating meditation (and looking into the more classical, early practices), but have wondered if there's a "kosher" (accepted in the discipline) way of doing the more classical meditations while having your back completely supported (by lying on the ground, or doing it in a chair, or what have you).

Why do I have intense, momentary back pain when I sneeze?

high0nfire — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 07:48:55 -0800

Is intense back pain when I sneeze an indicator of a serious spinal problem? I'm 29, 100+lbs overweight, but have never had ANY kind of back problem/injury in my life. I've always been careful when doing any kind of heavy lifting and have never pinched a nerve or twisted my back when lifting or fell hard on my back, or anything. I've been sick twice this winter and I've been sneezing a lot this current illness. When I sneeze, I have this INTENSE back pain (middle and upper back) that spikes about one second after I sneeze which gradually dissipates after 5-10 seconds. After that I'm completely fine. It feels like a hundred needles jabbing into my back at once, mostly near the middle/upper spine , becoming less and less intense as it radiates out to the sides. Once again, I have no other back pain in my life apart from this. This sneeze pain has happened before in my life (I was a lot less overweight then, don't remember if I was sick or not at the time) but hasn't happened for a long time (maybe 10 years) until now. Also, I haven't gained a lot of weight recently, it's been more the result of a long-term neglect of proper diet/exercise.

I know that my belly makes my spine curve to compensate for the weight distribution, but I thought that was mostly the lower spine (which doesn't hurt at all when I sneeze). Something tells me losing weight/exercising would help (how many more reasons do i need before I get my sh*t together and keep a good diet/exercise regimen?). I could totally believe that when I sneeze, moving all my extra weight around is sending the energy right into my spine. Any constructive input/experiences/comments would be greatly appreciated.

My aching back

otherwordlyglow — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 11:07:12 -0800

Mid-back pain when seated-----help! I am 23 weeks pregnant. For the past week I've been having fairly intense back pain when I sit for any extended (more than 30 minutes) period of time. It doesn't seem to matter what kind of seat I'm in - car seats, desk chairs, dining room chairs, anything at all. The pain is in my middle back, just to the right of my spine and it's something I've never experienced before. I've had lower back pain and upper (shoulder/neck) pains but this is totally different. It's only on the one side and it's only after sitting. Standing up or lying flat on my back or my side seem to be the only things that help. I'm sure this has something to do with my center of gravity being all messed up and the added weight in front but it's driving me crazy and I don't see how I can work from a reclining position. Any thought on what might be causing this or remedies? I have an appointment at the doctor's office next week so I'll definitely ask then if it's still a problem but any insight would be appreciated! Oh, and I won't see a chiropractor so that's one recommendation that isn't worth giving.

Are inversion tables worth the money?

leahwrenn — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 12:50:34 -0800

Does anyone have any experience using inversion tables to treat back pain? Do they work? Bonus: any credible studies you know about or can find discussing the use/pros/cons of inversion tables? My husband's got at least one badly squished disk in his lower back. In addition to drugs and exercise, we were wondering if an inversion table (one of those things where you hang upsidown) is likely to be helpful. (He's hoping to put off surgery as long as possible.) Anyone have either anecdotes or data? All I get when googling is a lot of quackery.

Help prevent back pain!

Citizen Premier — Sun, 07 Oct 2007 18:45:08 -0800

I just started a minimum wage job at a department store sushiya. What can I do to prevent the back pain I get from standing in one place all day? I also have access to a gym two times a week, so let me if any workouts have helped you in your standing job.