Pick your brains on osteopaths...

[janeyo]

Ok, so I have had a bad bad for more than 5 years since faling pregnant with my first child.
We had a new matress as posh pocket sprung on that OH says is the comfiest bed he has ever slept on.
I have lost a lot of weight which was one of the things my doc suggested.
I lead a healthy lifestyle, walking 3 miles a day on the school run most days and obviously looking after my garden and nanna's garden, and the chickens.

My back is gettng worse, some days Oh has to literally pull me up or I can;t get out of bed! Not good as I am only 35. And I still carry a my second child around a lot and he is getting heavy!
So a friend has recommded an osteopath. Does anyone have experience of them?
Do they make you take your clothes off?
Does it work? Do they hurt?

Advice please, thanks

[Nicos]

Bad backs occurring- and remaining -after pregnancy are often due to a slipped Sacro-iIliac joint.
Have you had a diagnosis- the symptoms can be confused with other back problems.
You should take your clothes off down to bra and knickers so the area being assessed can be checked out- maybe a vest type top and some Bridget Jones knickers could come in handy.
Not all osteopaths are guys

[Two_Sheds]

Jane, have you tried yoga first? The exercises are similar, if not the same, as those that a physio would recommend for you.

It would need to be practised regularly though, to strengthen your muscles and improve suppleness.

My lower back has stayed painful since my bike crash in June. At-home exercises weren't working, but a yoga class is now putting me right (or righter, anyway)

[Hashette]

Jane, I can't rave enough about mine. I went to see him with what I thought was an Achillies problem (so major wibbling was underway). He sorted out the ankle and diagnosed the cause as well - basically everything's out of alignment, the ankle is just where the problem was showing itself thanks to the stress on it from running unbalanced.

As well as throwing me around and crunching my back, he's given me some exercises to do at home. The difference is amazing.

[janeyo]

Thanks, I will look up yoga class.. I have a feeling the last time I looked them up they are in the day when I have no one to mind the little one for me.

Thanks Nicos, if it's got a complicated name then I definitely have it lol!

Getting a bit fed up with it now (after all these years lol) and we now have a new 55+ square metre extension to paint so need my back in good working order! Esp as OH reckons I can get it all done my Christmas! And he is rubbish at painting...

[Hashette]

P.S. No, he didn't ask me to take my clothes off, t-shirt and shorts is fine. It's not painful, although there are a few twinges somestimes, mostly in diagnosis - he has to prod various bits to see where the problems are

[janeyo]

P.S. No, he didn't ask me to take my clothes off, t-shirt and shorts is fine. It's not painful, although there are a few twinges somestimes, mostly in diagnosis - he has to prod various bits to see where the problems are

Thanks hashette, not sure if anyone could throw me about (not lost all the weight yet lol). But quite looking forward to it now! lol

I hate having to take my clothes off in hospitals and doctors and have a real thing about it!

[HeyWayne]

Always seek professional advice before doing anything.

Each case will be different and these guys (and gals) train for years to be able to work out what's wrong, and what can be done to solve/prevent it.

Mine was 3 slipped discs the first time round, and subsequent problems have been down to unusually tight hamstrings.

The legbone's connected to the hip bone, the nip bone connected to the back bone....

You know the song.

Get it checked out by the professionals - more than one if you can.

[bobleponge]

Disappointingly mine didnt ask me to take my clothes off, but she did totally sort my back out after one session. Had a look and a prod, asked a few questions, hmmed a bit, hmmmed a bit more, then gave it a bit of a poke about and explained the problem.
Gave me some exercises and recommended a bit of massage treatment and within a couple of weeks I honestly was right as rain. Like Hashette, I couldnt rate my one highly enough.

[Brengirl]

I have never had cause to resort to 'alternatives' but OH did. I went with him (at his request) and was quite surprised at the in depth medical history she required before manipulation. She pushed and pulled and at one point actually used 'needles'. I really wished I had had my camera with me. 1 hour later we left the consulting room. OH could not believe how much better he felt. When a few days later he prostrated himself on the bed and suggested I be the therapist I demanded £50. up front. I wasn't born yesterday.

[Bigmallly]

I have had a bad back since 1993 so know what you are going through. Firstly as Wayne said, get an expert opinion then at least you know what may help. As for myself, I visit the Chiropractor every 6 weeks with excellent results @ £26.50 a throw & I get half back from the hospital fund. I have a memory foam mattress which is brilliant. I also bought myself an inversion table which (although can make you feel a bit queezy if you don't like hanging upside down) actually works as it stretches your spine. Just a few things to consider but good luck & I hope you find what works best for you.

[janeyo]

I have never had cause to resort to 'alternatives' but OH did. I went with him (at his request) and was quite surprised at the in depth medical history she required before manipulation. She pushed and pulled and at one point actually used 'needles'. I really wished I had had my camera with me. 1 hour later we left the consulting room. OH could not believe how much better he felt. When a few days later he prostrated himself on the bed and suggested I be the therapist I demanded £50. up front. I wasn't born yesterday.

LOL I like this!

[janeyo]

OK I have made an appointment and will be going on weds.
Will let you know the outcome

Thanks all X

[janeyo]

Nicos that sacro iliac pain thing fits with the SPD I had in pregnancy too X

[Two_Sheds]

I hate having to take my clothes off in hospitals and doctors and have a real thing about it!

I usually embarrass myself by whipping my top off before the doc even asks (I can't really believe they can diagnose you unless they see where the problem is, but hey ho)