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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@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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I tried a memory foam pillow and found it hard as a rock. The catch, I think is room temperature. My basement bedroom is at 65 F during the day and drops a degree or two overnight which makes memory foam hard and inflexible.

I have a non-memory foam plush mattress topper to try to reduce the harshness of my mattress on order.

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Yes. Your body weight in different places makes the mattress firmer or softer in spots. Example if you sleep on your side, your shoulder will likely press on the mattress so the air adjusts accordingly. I highly recommend you visit their website for a better explanation. sleepnumber.com.

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@delia74

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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The foot warmer was included in my bed. I know we spent mucho for the bed, but in the long run it’s corrected our infirm issues

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@catstx

Yes. Your body weight in different places makes the mattress firmer or softer in spots. Example if you sleep on your side, your shoulder will likely press on the mattress so the air adjusts accordingly. I highly recommend you visit their website for a better explanation. sleepnumber.com.

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Thanks for the info. I'm going to find out if they have a store/showroom within decent distance.

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@rjjacobsen

I tried a memory foam pillow and found it hard as a rock. The catch, I think is room temperature. My basement bedroom is at 65 F during the day and drops a degree or two overnight which makes memory foam hard and inflexible.

I have a non-memory foam plush mattress topper to try to reduce the harshness of my mattress on order.

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Thanks for the info. Memory foam can be "tricky" and both of us have found it to not be of much help.

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Yes, the Beautyrest Memory Foam Classic Series. I tried a softer mattress and it was too soft and incredibly warm. I sent it back and got the firmer one. It is so hard to purchase a mattress after only trying if out for a few minutes in the store. If you have a lot of pain, a soft mattress is not for you as you do not get a lot of support. I love the memory foam. Cons: They can be a little on the warm side as they can hold heat. Also, they do not have a flip side to them. You can only use one side. I rotate mine. I see no signs of "sunkeness" at all after 3 years. If you are cold natured, they are great. We love this mattress. We got it at Mattress Firm 3 years ago. We got this mattressed reduced, and it was one of the best investments we have made. We love it. It is very supportive of my aches and pains. Blessings to you and hope you find the right one for you.

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Do you sleep on your back? On side?
I cannot sleep on any mattress on my back anymore. I get lower back pain on a tempur-pedic foam, a regular soft top mattress or firm, and I tried laying down for a bit on my son’s sleepnumber but got up aching. When I’m on my back my knees bend backwards - a new problem when menopause took away my estrogen and skin/tendon elasticity. A pillow under my knees or a mattress that lifts my knees work, but neither keep my back from hurting.

I can sleep on my side, with extra pillows for positioning on just about any mattress except those that sag too much in the middle.
I loved our tempur-pedic but my husband got tired of it so we replaced it with a spring mattress with a soft top. Works okay.

I guess you’ve tried side sleeping with a pillow between your knees? Some of the commercial strap-on foam cushions made for this purpose are not made correctly. They don’t separate the knees enough. The separation keeps the back from twisting which is what so many people find painful in the morning.
I also do better if I tuck a pillow under my arm, the one on the high side. But it’s too much trouble to cope with two pillows when I want to turn over, which I do multiple times during the night. I think a long body pillow might work - but it keeps me too separate from my husband - neither of us like that.

Side sleepers - do you have a mattress you like? How about a pillow? I haven’t found a pillow I like much for side sleeping - I’ve tried a bunch.

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@delia74

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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The foot warmer is built in

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@catstx

The foot warmer is built in

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Gracias for responding. Sounds heavenly!

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@sbcarcht

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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Gracias for explaining.

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