Are you wondering what I’m talking about? I know it must sound a bit strange. I’ve had constant lower back pain for the past few years, with debilitating episodes that have now become increasingly worse. On Halloween night, I ended up not even able to really walk because I was in so much pain. It happened at BlogHer this year too, and when I was in New York most recently. My blogging friends can tell you I was crying in pain at the end of the night. If I stand for a long period of time…..pain by the end of the night. If I walk too much….pain by the end of the night. It’s not good all around. I am not even 40, and I feel 90! 

In New York! I’m smiling but in a ton of pain. Hence sitting down!

I went to the doctor yesterday to see what I could do, because really this is NOT normal. Basically he said that I am completely out of alignment. He believes my pelvis must have fused back together incorrectly (crooked) after the birth of my son. He did some measurements and tests, and my pelvis is clearly out of alignment. The right side is a few inches higher (raised) when laying on my back, and due to this one leg is also longer than the other. This is why it truly is hard for me to stand or walk a long distance. In an upright position I am having to compensate for “being crooked” and it puts a lot of pressure on my lower back/pelvic region. I get shooting pains, I can’t stretch or bend over, sometimes the pains shoot down my legs as well, and at times I feel like my legs are just going to give out and I’m going to fall to the ground. 

Stretching does not seem to even help!

Here is the plan to help me relieve my pain as much as possible and to help get me back in better alignment:

1. The doctor said this is really not something that can be “fixed” but instead something I have to deal with throughout my life now. I can take steps to make it better, but there is no magic pill to fix this issue. It’s all about managing it at this point.

2. To start with, the doctor said we first need to control the pain. This is done with muscle relaxers and Vicodin. I really do not love taking them at all. They make me so tired and shaky. In fact I am on them right now, so please excuse any typos and grammatical errors in this post. I’m a bit out of it!

3. Next, I need to go to physical therapy for 12-16 weeks. Halfway through therapy the doctor wants to take an MRI and some X-rays to see where my alignment is and if there is any bone on bone rubbing (which could lead to early arthritis and that would not be good). He said there is not point in taking any MRIs or X-rays now, because he can already see how “messed up I am!” He needs to see it when I am as straight as possible. That makes sense. 

4. Once I am feeling better, then I need to strengthen my core. I need to take Yoga or Pilates. I can sign-up for something like this at the YMCA where I go. It’s all about fitting it in my schedule though. Life is busy, but I know I need to take care of myself too. I will probably also have to get a lift for my shoe to make me “even” and relieve pressure. 

Well, I am going to have to get through this the best I can. First I need to get rid of some pain, and then work to strengthen my core! That’s the best I can do. And possibly get a lift for my shoe too! I want to be able to be active with my kids and family without suffering in pain at the end of the night. Does anyone else have these issues? What do you do to maintain the best health you can with being out of alignment?

The post Childbirth Made Me Crooked; Living with Back and Pelvic Pain appeared first on Mama Luvs Books.