Back woes
Posted on | October 28, 2012 | 4 Comments
I've been feeling a bit anxious lately. You may remember from a post a while back that I injured my back at work (ahem, never grab a kicking patients leg). The injury occurred just shy of two months ago, & since a flare up two weeks ago each day it's become harder to perform simple daily tasks, let alone lift H. I've been on 'light duty' at work but there are still hard days where I get put in situations & don't speak up. My days off B works & I'm left to single parent Hazel, which again is not easy. This weekend B has had to call in sick to work because I literally get shooting pain when lifting H...
I've been seeing physical therapy for about a month & so far he is wonderful and the biggest advocate for my health and well-being. The doctor and employee health staff are not very supportive, and they make rude and completely insensible suggestions. This is when I wish we had family here.
I'm not sure why I'm blogging about this except that it's weighing very heavily on my mind. I feel like I'm failing as a mother: I avoid lifting Hazel excessively and rely on a jumper probably too much (hey, at least she enjoys it). I would never in a million years let her 'cry it out' but I know sometimes she'd rather be cuddled and held, or thrown happily in the air like dad does. I just want to be a mother without wondering, 'is this going to hurt?'
Does anyone have any suggestions or any experience with back pain? They are calling it a strain, and I've been doing prescribed stretches & icing often. I apply a holistic cream with arnica on it, which doesn't seem to be helping. Ibuprofen I use rarely & when I do it doesn't even help. I'm contemplating acupuncture but the place I go to is a half hour drive & difficult to squeeze in with the babe & our schedules. I'm feeling at a loss - suggestions welcome!
Comments
- April
- I am a RN & natural momma in the Pacific Northwest, married to a beautiful man I adore. Nature is my niche, animals get me. I read and I write, I hike and I love photography. Welcomed our daughter Hazel Annan earthside in February 2012 after three years of infertility & our second miracle daughter Juniper Louise in April 2014.
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October 28, 2012 at 8:44 PM
What are your feelings about chiropractic treatment? I'm not sure how I feel about it as "lifestyle," but it has been helpful for times when I've had acute pain.
I'm a big fan of acupuncture - it has been a huge, huge help in my life on so many issues, not just fertility. If you can do it, I'd try acupuncture, but while I was there I'd talk to your acupuncturist about some acupressure points you can use the the interim since you probably can't go as often would be best.
I hope you can find some relief! Back pain is miserable!
October 29, 2012 at 2:25 AM
Oh April, how awful for you, but don't think you are failing as a mother. I bet there are plenty of mothers who are not able to do many things for their babies (mothers with limbs missing, deafness, registered blind, you know what I mean), all you can do is the best you can. Back pain is so awful (I have only had slight strains in the past. I find if I keep up my yoga and stretching I am fine, but as soon as I stop exercising I get really achey and back and neck ache). If it was me and I could afford it I would try acupuncture, because so many people have told me that it has helped them. I do hope you try something soon. I have never had my family around me and I sure used to feel jealous of people that did... what a help/support they are when you have little ones, and when you are ill or injured and just need a little love to help you along the way.
Sending much love to you April.x
October 30, 2012 at 11:35 AM
I picked up my son badly once when he was about 8 months old and my back got progressively worse for the next two weeks. I could hardly pick him up or lay him down in bed at night and it just kept getting worse. I finally broke down and visited the chiropractor and was feeling 50% by the time I walked out of there. I had one follow up visit 5 days later, but I was almost back to normal then anyway.
I have never used acupuncture but have heard good things about it. I just thought your experience was very similar to mine; I hope you go in and get some treatment soon. It is miserable to feel like you can't pick up your baby.
November 1, 2012 at 6:26 PM
Hi April,
You are a wonderful mother.
I wish I had answers for you. I hurt my back a few times after Bracken was born, I rested it (by not carrying Bracken as much) and it got better. Jeff hurt his back recently and hasn't been able to lift Bracken very much.
I gotta go, I want to write more soon. Been thinking of you and wanted to say hello.
Lots of Love to you and a big hug!!
Taryn