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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 | Feb 9 4:53pm

I'd love an answer to the question that heyjoe 415 asked....

REPLY
covidstinks2023 | @covidstinks2023 | Feb 9 5:11pm
In reply to @triciaot "Do you sleep on your back? On side? I cannot sleep on any mattress on my..." + (show)
@triciaot

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.

Jump to this post

triciaot, I couldn't tell if you were replying to me or someone else....if I am replying wrongfully, I apologize in advance.

I am a side sleeper. The Beautyrest memory foam classic mattress has been amazing from Mattress Firm. I'm not sure if they make them anymore, but, I am sure they the "latest and greatest" version of it.

I really like two pillows that I have bought on Amazon. I have neck issues. I have 3 pillows that I love. The really like the one I am using now (my favorite is out of stock) and also Bed, Bath and Beyond's carries really good ones by Isotoner which was recommended by my Orthopedic, PA and it worked great for a while. I cannot remember which one I used by Isotoner. These are my favorite 2 from Amazon: 1) Memory Foam Pillow for sleeping ergonomic contour cervical by Polovo, $29.99 and I am currently using this one 2) UTTU Sandwich queen pillow is$48.99 My favorite!
Pros: The #1 pillow is a cooler pillow than #2. #2 is a tad more comfortable, but, it is sold out most of the time and more expensive.
Cons: You cannot wash these pillows, but, you can the cases that come with them. If you sit them out in the sun at the onset to get rid of the "new" smell it will discolor them a little.

I hope this helps. Blessings & Prayers....

REPLY
sallyj2 | @sallyj2 | Feb 10 10:04am

Temperoeduc medium hybrid

REPLY
sbtheplumber1 | @sbtheplumber1 | Feb 10 11:06pm
In reply to @triciaot "Do you sleep on your back? On side? I cannot sleep on any mattress on my..." + (show)
@triciaot

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.

Jump to this post

A Body pillow works better than 2 pillows but terrible to try switching sides or being forced to decide which is better cuddling or being comfortable.

REPLY
sandyincharlotte | @sandyincharlotte | Feb 15 2:31pm

Hi, my SI rotates causing my pelvic floor to also rotate . . . kind of like ringing a towel. This then causes my lumbar vertebrae to twist, and if I pick up something heavy, my lumbar disc bulges shooting pain down the back of my leg. I finally found a pelvic floor physical therapist. . . they are not easy to find. My Gynecologist told me about one, and my Physiatrist who did nerve root injections to calm the nerve which was pressed by the bulging disc confirmed this PT was the best. I would start with trying to find a PT specializing in pelvic floor . . Who is in private practice, not a franchise PT group. The best ones start their own practices and truly want you to get better. My rotation is caused by a bad foot surgery years ago. I can't "walk off" my right foot, thus causing a gait disturbance. One thing affects all the muscles in your back and up to shoulders. Good luck.

REPLY
2 replies
sbtheplumber1 | @sbtheplumber1 | Feb 16 9:45pm
In reply to @sandyincharlotte "Hi, my SI rotates causing my pelvic floor to also rotate . . . kind of..." + (show)
@sandyincharlotte

Hi, my SI rotates causing my pelvic floor to also rotate . . . kind of like ringing a towel. This then causes my lumbar vertebrae to twist, and if I pick up something heavy, my lumbar disc bulges shooting pain down the back of my leg. I finally found a pelvic floor physical therapist. . . they are not easy to find. My Gynecologist told me about one, and my Physiatrist who did nerve root injections to calm the nerve which was pressed by the bulging disc confirmed this PT was the best. I would start with trying to find a PT specializing in pelvic floor . . Who is in private practice, not a franchise PT group. The best ones start their own practices and truly want you to get better. My rotation is caused by a bad foot surgery years ago. I can't "walk off" my right foot, thus causing a gait disturbance. One thing affects all the muscles in your back and up to shoulders. Good luck.

Jump to this post

Pelvic therapist are rare especially for men. It’s ashamed with the help they can do for you. I finally found one at an outpatient therapy office. My Tailbone was out of alignment after my L5-S1 Fusion. Yes being misaligned throws the whole spine out then the whole body is hurting. Good luck

REPLY
leesal123 | @leesal123 | Feb 17 6:10am
In reply to @sandyincharlotte "Hi, my SI rotates causing my pelvic floor to also rotate . . . kind of..." + (show)
@sandyincharlotte

Hi, my SI rotates causing my pelvic floor to also rotate . . . kind of like ringing a towel. This then causes my lumbar vertebrae to twist, and if I pick up something heavy, my lumbar disc bulges shooting pain down the back of my leg. I finally found a pelvic floor physical therapist. . . they are not easy to find. My Gynecologist told me about one, and my Physiatrist who did nerve root injections to calm the nerve which was pressed by the bulging disc confirmed this PT was the best. I would start with trying to find a PT specializing in pelvic floor . . Who is in private practice, not a franchise PT group. The best ones start their own practices and truly want you to get better. My rotation is caused by a bad foot surgery years ago. I can't "walk off" my right foot, thus causing a gait disturbance. One thing affects all the muscles in your back and up to shoulders. Good luck.

Jump to this post

A pelvic therapist is hard to find. I found one and she left to start her own business and will not take insurance,only cash. There are quite in my area who have done the same thing. They charge anywhere from $100 -$300 per visit which is hard to afford out of pocket even if you can get your insurance to apply it as out of network. My gyn has referred me to another local place but the first available appt is the end of May.

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