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Lower back pain/pelvic tilt /mattress suggestions

Posted by soph77 @soph77, Dec 11, 2023

Hi everyone,
I have posted before for pelvic tilt issues and am now having issues with my lower back. I am not sure if they are related.
I have been seeing a physiotherapist for pelvic tilt for a few months now, and I sometimes do feel better after I do my exercises but I feel like whenever I do something out of the noraml day to day stuff, the pain worsens. For example, I went to a party and wore heels (not stilettos, they are actually a comfortable pair). It was standing only, so by the end of the evening I was in a lot of pain - leg, back, and shoulders. I felt ok after a few days of physio.
We also recently got a new mattress and I feel like it is contributing to my back pain, since I didn't really have much lower back pain before. It is a tempurpedic, memory foam, firm mattress. We thought this would be better for our backs (my husband sometimes has issues as well). Although they say it takes of couple of weeks to breal in the mattress, I wake up stiff every morning and I am convinced it is because of the mattress. We have 100 days to return it and we have pretty much decided to return/exchange it. I understand if recommendations for brands are not permitted, but any suggestions for a type of mattress that is good for back pain would be appreciated (e.g. we are now considering spring coil, medium firmness).
Also, in addition to physiotherapy, I am considering asking my doctor for a recommendation to a specialist for my pelvic tilt/back issues, but I am not sure what type of doctor specializes in these issues? Would it be an orthopedist? Some other specialty? I think my physiotherapist is good and has helped me but I feel like I am not improving as much as I should be at this point.
Any thoughts would be appreciated.

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delia74 | @delia74 | Jan 31 5:58am
In reply to @catstx "It’s called a C4. We sprang for the base with adjustable head and foot and because..." + (show)
@catstx

It’s called a C4. We sprang for the base with adjustable head and foot and because if very cold feet we also got the foot warmer. Good luck, I know what back aches do.

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Thank you for answering my question. Will be checking it out....
The foot warmer is a separate item or "built into" the lower end of the mattress?

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2 replies
delia74 | @delia74 | Jan 31 5:44pm
In reply to @cindychesler "The memory foam mattress was not a good experience for me and we returned it. While..." + (show)
@cindychesler

The memory foam mattress was not a good experience for me and we returned it. While working with a p.t. He suggested a lumbar support pillow for my back and I LOVE it. I even travel with it. I got it on Amazon. It has made all the difference in the world.

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So it's a pillow that you place under your lumbar area for support as you sleep? Ae you then a back sleeper and remain in that position throughout the night?

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1 reply
Bluegrass Gal | @cindychesler | Jan 31 5:52pm
In reply to @delia74 "So it's a pillow that you place under your lumbar area for support as you sleep?..." + (show)
@delia74

So it's a pillow that you place under your lumbar area for support as you sleep? Ae you then a back sleeper and remain in that position throughout the night?

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Yes, it’s a pillow. Google lumbar support pillow and many, many will pop up. I bought mine on Amazon for about $30. I put it under the small of my back and I can sleep on either side as well as my back. This pillow has been a HUGE help. Good luck.

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1 reply
delia74 | @delia74 | Jan 31 5:57pm
In reply to @cindychesler "Yes, it’s a pillow. Google lumbar support pillow and many, many will pop up. I bought..." + (show)
@cindychesler

Yes, it’s a pillow. Google lumbar support pillow and many, many will pop up. I bought mine on Amazon for about $30. I put it under the small of my back and I can sleep on either side as well as my back. This pillow has been a HUGE help. Good luck.

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Thank you for such a speedy response! I'm going on Amazon to check out the pillows.😊

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sbcarcht | @sbcarcht | Jan 31 11:38pm
In reply to @delia74 "Can you give info on what you mean by "did a training" and what is the..." + (show)
@delia74

Can you give info on what you mean by "did a training" and what is the Gokhale Primal Posture method? Or at least links to where I can read about these two points? Gracias.

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I did a one day “pop up” training class. Do an internet search for the method and look for Esther Gokhale and her book 8 Steps to a Pain Free Back.

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1 reply
sbtheplumber1 | @sbtheplumber1 | Feb 1 12:27am

I was referred to a pelvic therapist(thought that was for women but hey when your in pain who cares) I’ve had 3 visits 1st and second helped then she had me use a foam roller since my back surgery I can’t get in the floor so I done it against a door . It went across the nerves that have been bothering me from fusion and I went thru about 2-1/2 weeks of constant pain from the fusion area L4-S1 to the bottom of my feet. But surgeon said there’s nothing wrong with my back. Back to the pelvic my tailbone was bent at second visit she done some taping and at 3rd visit it had straightened back up . There’s not many pelvic therapist for men but there slowly getting more. Hope this helped you or someone else. If you have any questions I can help you with feel free to ask

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cindymattern | @cindymattern | Feb 1 6:30am

I love my sleep number bed....it's 12 years old and we have never had an issue. We got the largest mattress we could (I was heavier then) a the adjustable base. I'll be honest that when we bought it we spend like $5,000 on it but the adjustable base was amazing after my knee replacement. Recently we bought a bed for my son with the adjustable base and bought mattress toppers for his and ours. Those made a huge difference even more so. It's definitely an investment and they are more today....however we sleep on them for years. I know people who have had these beds for over 20 yrs and the still love them. We have a split king (two mattresses pushed together) so we can each adjust the sleeping position and mattress to our liking as my husband likes it more firm than I do. It's not a temperpedic or memory foam mattress either. Best of luck...I struggle with the correct pillow for my neck.

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heyjoe415 | @heyjoe415 | Feb 1 7:46am

I've had surgery on my l4, l5, s1 - laminotomy. I was 57 then and it's 12 years later, all is good. Oh and no fused vertebra.

I love Tempurpedic (firm) and I'm not sure if or how it contributes to your pain. That is a better question for an orthopedic spine surgeon (in addition to a physiotherapist). Just a suggestion.

Something else I do - sleep with a large memory-foam pillow between my knees (I'm a side sleeper). I also put a yoga bolster - basically a very big/very firm pillow against my back. Finally, I rest my arm on a pillow right in front of me. Sounds like a lot, but I find it very comfortable and sleep very well.

Anyway, to sum it up - see a very good orthopedic spine surgeon. If you don't have one, find someone in their late 30s to late 40s, with a solid pedigree - university/residency. Drs of this age will be current on best practices, will stilll be very ambitious and engaged, and will have performed hundreds if not thousands of procedures.

Hope this helps, and all the best! Joe

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heyjoe415 | @heyjoe415 | Feb 1 7:52am
In reply to @briarrose "I was recently diagnosed with 4 herniated discs. One of my PT exercises is the pelvic..." + (show)
@briarrose

I was recently diagnosed with 4 herniated discs. One of my PT exercises is the pelvic tilt and for a similar strange reason my back hurts more after I do them. Will discuss with my therapist.
A really good mattress is priceless for back issues. We were on vacation when suddenly I developed severe back pain. I hated the mattress, my feet higher than my head and within 2 days developed excruciating back pain and subsequently diagnosed with the disc problem. Why all of a sudden? I blamed the mattress.
My mattress is Sterns & Foster and it's a firm and was expensive. Wish I went with the split one now and the sleep number. Good for you, you have this.
Have you had a spinal x-ray or CT scan? You could have multiple back issues. I have degenerative discs and spinal stenosis also. Thank you for your thoughts. The back is tricky and the number # 1 recommendation for a healthy back is exercise/walking.

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Good points. As far as exercise, I'd also hire an experienced personal trainer at a good gym. There are close to 30 muscles/muscle groups that make up our "core", surrounding our lower back. The single best thing you can do for your lower spine is to develop and maintain a solid core.

Consult with your Dr first as there may be other things that are going on that need to be addressed. But if you are able, a strong core solves/prevents a lot of back problems.

All the best.

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heyjoe415 | @heyjoe415 | Feb 1 7:54am
In reply to @catstx "I use Sleep Number bed, set at 35. It’s been a Godsend for me. My back..." + (show)
@catstx

I use Sleep Number bed, set at 35. It’s been a Godsend for me. My back hurt badly before switching. We sprang for the bed frame setup to have kind of a hospital like setup. I highly recommend.

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What happens to the bed when the sleep number is adjusted? Is air pumped into or out of the mattress? Thanks!

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