Back Pain Support Group
Back pain is one of the most common reasons people seek medical care. In fact, about 3 in 4 adults will experience back pain during their lifetime! The term back pain includes pain affecting the neck, midback and low back. Acute back pain may begin suddenly with intense pain but typically lasts fewer than three months. Usually, chronic back pain is persistent, steady, and...
Every morning I wake up with incredible back pain and must stretch for a good 15-20 minutes to get any relief. Today the pain just wouldn't go away and now has extended to my legs making it very painful to walk. I think it may be my mattress.
In January I started with sciatica, severe leg pain on the right side, and general lower back pain. This is about the time I also began wearing a mask for sleep apnea, which makes it hard to get comfortable at night anyway.
I had MRIs, CT Scans, Nerve tests, and everything came back fine with just mild arthritis in my lower back and the beginnings of degenerative disk disease. With physical therapy I got some relief. However, in the past two weeks the pain has come back, even with me continuing to do the exercises I got from PT.
I think this is because of my mattress. It is 8 years old, and since I have gained about 40 pounds in the past 10 years I think my weight and the tossing and turning I do all night with my discomfort has caused my mattress to just not do the job for a restful sleep.
I am overwhelmed with the choices out there, and with listening to salespeople who think they know what is best. I need advice from people who actually have back pain. What has worked for you?
Thanks for your help!!
In January I started with sciatica, severe leg pain on the right side, and general lower back pain. This is about the time I also began wearing a mask for sleep apnea, which makes it hard to get comfortable at night anyway.
I had MRIs, CT Scans, Nerve tests, and everything came back fine with just mild arthritis in my lower back and the beginnings of degenerative disk disease. With physical therapy I got some relief. However, in the past two weeks the pain has come back, even with me continuing to do the exercises I got from PT.
I think this is because of my mattress. It is 8 years old, and since I have gained about 40 pounds in the past 10 years I think my weight and the tossing and turning I do all night with my discomfort has caused my mattress to just not do the job for a restful sleep.
I am overwhelmed with the choices out there, and with listening to salespeople who think they know what is best. I need advice from people who actually have back pain. What has worked for you?
Thanks for your help!!
annettearizona
Have you tried turning your mattress over or around? My mother also slept with a pillow (small one even) between her knees to help her back...she also had a board under her mattress for a time.
megsmom8816
I have done both.....pillow between my leg for years, and I have turned my mattress around. It is possible it isn't even my bed...not sure. I had a massage today and she said in the last six months of massages she has not had anyone with a back and hips and legs as tight as mine....she could hardly get them to loosen up and that is after an hour of working on them.
annettearizona
Hmm-well if pssoble you could try a new mattress-a firmer one or can you try even the couch or a recliner if you have one? Justthinking of a new position to see if that is the underlying problem aggravating your back
emf6874
I find firm mattresses make my pains worse. My mattress is older as well & is terrible on my whole body. I actually sleep on 3 or 4 comforters on top of my mattress with a flat sheet on top of them. It helps a little until I am able to get a new mattress.
CatCat1
We went from an old pillowtop mattress to a memory foam mattress. I wish I could tell you it helped. I end up on the couch in the middle of most nights. I too gained weight and am pretty sure that is the cause. I am now in physical therapy and core strengthening exercises seem to be helping so far. Have you tried them? What about yoga? That was another recommendation I got. I bought a vinyasa flow DVD which is all stretching on the floor and that helps. I also find sleeping on my side with a pillow between my legs is better than on my back. Even better is sleeping propped up on two large pillows, but that throws my neck out. Back to the mattress...we have a place here that will let you go in and spend as much time on their mattresses as you need. Hopefully you can find a place like that. It IS overwhelming and everyone is different. Best of luck!
megsmom8816
I did buy a mattress and it was delivered yesterday. I slept really well last night and woke up with very few spasms. HOWEVER.....I was in the car for two hours today and the front of my thighs and sciatica are killing me now. I can barely walk because of the pain
annettearizona
Your body is going to get adjusted with the new mattress but being in a car for a long time will cramp up anybody :(
megsmom8816
I know. Today we drove some more, but I made my husband stop every hour and let me get out and do stretches and walk a little. It helped some.
annettearizona
Good idea-as long as your husband doesn't just tie you to the hood :)
deleted_user
Hello. I am sorry to hear that. I have suffered severe back pain as well. Do you turn at night or do you need adjustment help?
deleted_user
I'm looking for a new mattress myself, just don't know what to get actually. My old one really needs to be replaced because even when I use pillows between my knees, it does little for me.
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