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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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pb50 | @pb50 | Dec 12, 2023
In reply to @dream1649 "What is the best chair for the living room? I have a recliner and it kills..." + (show)
@dream1649

What is the best chair for the living room? I have a recliner and it kills my neck, shoulders and spine. I was wondering what maybe you use?

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There’s a company in Lenoir NC called Fairfield Chair that has some lines that offer furniture that used to be focused on independent living facilities but now has expanded their market .. take a look because they are mindful of seat height, firmness, etc. that is important to seniors and others
https://www.fairfieldchair.com/products/industry/senior-living/recliners?sortKey=name&sortDirection=ASC&pageSize=96&page=1

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1 reply
leesal123 | @leesal123 | Dec 12, 2023
In reply to @soph77 "@leesal123 I am seeing my doctor this week and see what she recommends. I have also..." + (show)
@soph77

@leesal123 I am seeing my doctor this week and see what she recommends.
I have also been focussing on my core with my physiotherapist. I have not had any x-rays. It seems that x-rays are almost seen as a last resort (I am in Canada so things are different than in US).
The pelvic tilt was diagnosed by a sports medicine doctor. I went to see him for a different issue and he diagnosed the pelvic tilt based on the overall assessment.

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@soph77 I am in the US, NH to be specific. It was my pt person that diagnosed my twisted pelvis after doing an evaluation.. The sports doctor kept changing diagnosis from IT band then gluteal tendinapothy and then pinched nerve at L4 based on symptoms not evaluating. The ortho said to just work on core and posture after taking an x ray of hips. I should share this all started from sitting improperly for 8 months( it took 4 gyns to finally find one who diagnosed vulvar contact dermatitis and not tell me as you get older things feel different down there). To say I am frustrated is an understatement.

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1 reply
vic83 | @vic83 | Dec 12, 2023

Google the subject and you will find several sites with recommendations for mattresses based on the type of sleeper you are. Then visit the showroom to try out.

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tonie727 | @tonie727 | Dec 12, 2023

I have a really bad spinal situations. There’s nothing to do!
Had minor lower back fusion (2 plastic thingys with 2 screws) it has helped
But the sleeping issues are under control by using the bed that you can lift up in both areas back & feet
Now everybody has that type bed. I’ve got the same mattress you have

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dream1649 | @dream1649 | Dec 13, 2023
In reply to @pb50 "There’s a company in Lenoir NC called Fairfield Chair that has some lines that offer furniture..." + (show)
@pb50

There’s a company in Lenoir NC called Fairfield Chair that has some lines that offer furniture that used to be focused on independent living facilities but now has expanded their market .. take a look because they are mindful of seat height, firmness, etc. that is important to seniors and others
https://www.fairfieldchair.com/products/industry/senior-living/recliners?sortKey=name&sortDirection=ASC&pageSize=96&page=1

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Thank you.

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soph77 | @soph77 | Dec 13, 2023
In reply to @leesal123 "@soph77 I am in the US, NH to be specific. It was my pt person that..." + (show)
@leesal123

@soph77 I am in the US, NH to be specific. It was my pt person that diagnosed my twisted pelvis after doing an evaluation.. The sports doctor kept changing diagnosis from IT band then gluteal tendinapothy and then pinched nerve at L4 based on symptoms not evaluating. The ortho said to just work on core and posture after taking an x ray of hips. I should share this all started from sitting improperly for 8 months( it took 4 gyns to finally find one who diagnosed vulvar contact dermatitis and not tell me as you get older things feel different down there). To say I am frustrated is an understatement.

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@leesal123 Do the core and posture exercises help? I have recently started working more on core, but posture exercises haven't been discussed with my physio. I will look into those as well.

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leesal123 | @leesal123 | Dec 13, 2023

@soph77 We have not even really gotten to those in PT yet. They are doing some myofascial release and working on the anterior tilt that makes me feel crooked/pulled to the right. Because I have a twisted pelvis muscles in my neck, shoulders and upper back are very tight so we are trying to loosen all of those so we can then move to strengthening or so I am told. Keep me posted on how you are doing!

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1 reply
soph77 | @soph77 | Dec 14, 2023
In reply to @leesal123 "@soph77 We have not even really gotten to those in PT yet. They are doing some..." + (show)
@leesal123

@soph77 We have not even really gotten to those in PT yet. They are doing some myofascial release and working on the anterior tilt that makes me feel crooked/pulled to the right. Because I have a twisted pelvis muscles in my neck, shoulders and upper back are very tight so we are trying to loosen all of those so we can then move to strengthening or so I am told. Keep me posted on how you are doing!

Jump to this post

@leesal123 I have the same issues - shoulders and neck mostly. It took a while to figure out it was the pelvic tilt causing them. Hopefully the ongoing PT will help. I will keep you posted.

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mabfp3 | @mabfp3 | Dec 14, 2023

I have had lower back pain for more than 30 years. The best mattress that I would recommend is a Beauty Rest and make sure that is is the firmest one that you can get. I have used and replaced this same mattress for years and it has been so supportive to my back. I can tell that I may need to replace the one I have in a year or two. I think that they are top of the line, but I would never buy any other brand than Beauty Rest (firm!). Hope that this helps.

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2 replies
soph77 | @soph77 | Dec 15, 2023
In reply to @mabfp3 "I have had lower back pain for more than 30 years. The best mattress that I..." + (show)
@mabfp3

I have had lower back pain for more than 30 years. The best mattress that I would recommend is a Beauty Rest and make sure that is is the firmest one that you can get. I have used and replaced this same mattress for years and it has been so supportive to my back. I can tell that I may need to replace the one I have in a year or two. I think that they are top of the line, but I would never buy any other brand than Beauty Rest (firm!). Hope that this helps.

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Thank you for the suggestion, I will look for it and try it out!

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