I've been experiencing lower back pain for several months now. It probably all started with giving birth to a 10lb baby, and now he is 17 months old, and 30lbs. My husband is big, and I'm just the opposite.
I have had no time dealing with this pain, but to take pain killers, but the pain is chronic and usually comes in the evenings when I've had a long day. I want to see if I have a herniated disc or something. I also changed insurance comapanies to CIGNA. If you know how I can approach this condition or recommend a doctor, would you please respond. Thanks a million!
I agree with the other posting that Andrew Dossett, MD is wonderful. I would have a consult with him and he will order a MRI if one is indicated to rule out a herniated disc. I would verify that you don't have a herniated disc prior to letting a chiropractor perform manipulations. Hope you feel better soon!
You might just start with your family doctor, but since you think it started with the baby.........well that makes total sense. You are lifting a lot of weight, bending differently, etc... If I had to guess I'd say what just might work for you is to learn how to move.
Most of us don't carry ourselves properly, bend incorrectly, even get out of bed correctly. Once you learn these techniques and a few exercises I think you will begin to see results. But proper nutrition will help too. I had terrible back pain and struggled for two years. First I learned how to move, then I began on nutritional supplements and I am a new woman.
Do I ever have back issues. Yes, I do on occasion. But its mild. I no longer have what I had before and when I do I immediately soak in a hot bath and remind myself to get back to exercises. It's usually gone in a day or two.
You might get your doctor to refer you for physical therapy where you can learn these moving skills. That way insurance may pay.
Best,
P.
I have had back problems all my life, so I know how annoying it can be. I have been going to Dr. Andrew Dossett at the Carrell Clinic on Central Expwy near NorthPark. I have been very pleased with him, but do not know if he is on CIGNA, I have United Healthcare. I noticed many people recommending Chiropractors, but I have not had any experience with that and frankly, they scare me a little. I have heard people say they have gone to a Chiropractor and it helped, but they have to keep going on a regular basis, like once a week.
If I were you and you have a family doctor or gynocologist that you like and trust, I would talk to them first and have them send you to someone. No respectable doctor is going to recommend surgery right off the bat. They need to do an MRI to see what is going on and will most likely recommend physical therapy. I have had wonderful results with physical therapy and you need to do regular exercises to strenthen your core muscles to support your back.
You should not be taking a prescription pain medicine over a long period of time, but you may need to take an anti-inflammatory (like Advil or Aleve) for several weeks to decrease the inflammation. The next step after physical therapy and anti-inflammatory, would be an injection of cortisone. I had a herniated disc and was unable to relieve it with the other treatments. It was causing pain and numbness down my left leg. The cortisone shot was amazing and relieved it immediately.
I would also recommend that you try ice packs on your back. I always used a heating pad to give me some relief, but my physical therapists put an ice pack on my back and it really helped. Just buy a couple of bags of frozen peas and keep them in the freezer to use every night. I agree with the person that said you need to be careful how you lift. Always try to life with your legs and not your back. If you are carrying your child slung on your hip, then that is probably not helping either. I know it will be hard, but try to avoid carrying him as much as possible. I have known moms that got carpel tunnel from lugging a huge baby around. At 17 months he should be walking pretty well and not need to be carried as much. Use a stroller and encourage him to crawl up into your lap, stroller or car seat on his own, rather than you lifting him.
Hope that helps some and hopefully you can get some relief soon.
I would go see a chiropractor. I had CIGNA last year and most plans do cover chiropractic care, just double check. Most will do x-rays your first appointment to get a "picture" of whats going on and go from there. I have a wonderful chiropractor in Allen if you'd like his name (one that for sure takes Cigna) let me know.
C.,
I also recommend chiropractic. If you are near Plano, Dr. Mark Zuber is excellent. He will send you to another specialist if need be. His number is ###-###-####
In McKinney, Dr. Russell is also very good. ###-###-####.
Neither one of these chiropractors have done x-rays for me or my two teenage boys who go there. They don't even have xray machines at their offices. So be careful if you go to one that wants to take lots of xrays and have you come in alot.
Sometimes women have the pelvis shift, especially if we tend to carry everything on one side and a baby on the hip. I learned a simple technique to correct that from a physical therapist.
As a personal trainer, I can't emphasis enough how important it is to do core exercises. If the abdominals get weak, the back muscles take over. I had quite severe back pain from an epidural that left scar tissue. The anesthesiologist must have stuck me 25 times before he got the needle in. It took a lot of exercises for a year and a myofascile release by the chiropractor to get rid of the pain.
Of course you do need to make sure you don't have a herniated disc. The xrays or MRI that the doctor will do if necessary will show alot more than the ones at a chiropractors office.
Good luck and God bless.
Victoria
I would HIGHLY recommend seeing a good chiropractor BEFORE seeing a doctor -- no reason to have surgery if it can be fixed a more natural way! So I recommend Hanks Chiropractic and Dr. Ricky Hanks -- he is wonderful!!! He helped me out with some back /neck/jaw pain too!! He is at NW HWy/Jupiter and his number is ###-###-####
If you mention you were referred by E. Herman at Cornerstone Chem-Dry he will give you a heck of a deal on your xrays etc!
Good luck!!
E.
check out Dr. Chalmers in Frisco. He has several specialties but disc issues is one of them....his website explains quite a bit as well.....this office is superb!!
I had lower back pain for years after having my kids, and finally talked to my primary care physician about it last year. He recommended acupuncture and referred me to Jan Hu at the Acupuncture Clinic on Greenville @ Centennial in Richardson###-###-####). She is degreed in acupuncture and oriental medicine and certified by the state of Texas. After three visits to her office last spring, I was pain free without the use of any drugs. My insurance did not cover the visits, but I believe I only paid about $70/visit. Good luck!
C.,
You may have strained some muscles giving birth. It might help you to go to physical therapy (rehab) for a while to help those muscles relax. The therapist may also suggest some exercises you can do to strengthen certain muscles. Your doctor can write a prescription for therapy.
You may have a skeletal issue like you mentioned and there a chiropractor can help. I went to a chiro and did rehab at the same time and experienced a great lessening of pain. Plus I learned some relaxation techniques and some exercises that have helped me greatly to release and control muscle tension and pain.
If you are in Plano there is a office called Advanced Comprehensive Medical. It has a medical doctor, chiropractors, massage therapist and a occupational/physical therapist. They accept Cigna. They are located at Spring Creek and Alma. phone#: ###-###-####
One of the chiropractors specializes in pre/post-natal care and pediatrics.
