My "sacroilliac joint" thing hurts pretty bad - it's been a tough week. I don't know if it's just an "after period thing or what but it hurts.

Please pray for me? I'm helping with VBS on Monday with the crafts. I did mention on the form about my back problem but I still need to walk in
the church without groaning in pain.

Thanks.

Praying...esp. with your VBS commitment coming up, that He'll give you relief from the pain and wisdom re: what to do/not do...

--- Alyson

praying that God's will would be done in your life, my dear sister...

Praying for God's swift healing...but, while you wait, go to the drugstore and look for a reusable cold-pack. Ace bandages makes several--I like the large one.

Apply the cold pack for 20 minutes on, then at least 20 minutes off--as many times a day as you can work it in. Combine that with ibuprofen if you're not allergic. Last but not least--go walking--even if you only walk for 5 minutes or so three or four times a day. Those three things should give you a lot of relief in just a couple of days time.

While you're at it, avoid standing for long periods. Change positions frequently even when seated. Begin some gentle ab and back exercises AFTER the pain recedes.

Hope you're right as rain in time for VBS.

Blessings,

Teresa

Thanks everyone.

tntkrt, I do have some cold things in the freezer, like we use for a cooler, etc so maybe I'll try using those for today. I know walking makes it worse..

I do physical therapy exercises. I guess I have to do them more than once a day when the pain gets bad. *sigh* And I'm trying to lose weight so I'm lifting light wrist weights for now. The pain is on my lower right side and sometimes goes all the way down my leg..

Thanks again everybody!

Hey snmom,

Maybe a chiropractor would help - it sounds like it could be your (PHONETICALLY SPELLED) S-(eYe)-atic nerve.

The ice really works on my back - and my problems are herniated and narrow disk space - in the L4 and L5 region with chronic neck pain at times. I have managed my pain for well over four years now without medication - was beridden and on morphine doing physical therapy Jan - Feb. 2004. My PT said when my pain was chronic to do the exercises every 3 or 4 hours until the pain eases.

As for exercise - I need to go change clothes and get to the Rec Center so I can hit the treadmill. Walking may make your pain feel worse, but sitting still is the worst thing you can do because your muscles lock up around the affected area causing more intense pain with movement.

As for weight loss, you have to burn more calories than you are taking in - and weight lifting/training tends to add weight mass not dimish it because lean muscle weighs more than fat. CORE MUSCLE strengthening will do more to diminish back pain than extremity strengthening at this point.

This is all my "sidewalk" experience with back issues. I have had them for well over 15 years now - and have managed my pain and such - if your pain worsens or continues you should really seek medical advice. And, when all else fails, pray for God to intervene and relieve your pain. I often ask Him what He wants me to learn when I am in pain or down for a while. It never fails He has some sort of message in it for me.

I'm praying and asking God to give you wisdom and direction as how to best manage your pain and back problems.

Blessings.

Thanks, Michelle. But I do have a question: what is core muscle training? Like stomach crunches? I need to look this one up...

Core muscles are both your abdominal, side and lower back muscles - it has to do with strengthening that core (the muscles in your stomach, your sides, and your back) to improve the support of your spine - does that make sense?

Stomach crunches are not as good as other more comprehensive programs - and can damage your back more if problems already exist. Although I don't like these, some of the exercises that are best for core strengthing are pilates exercises - most exercise programs will have "core" in the definition of their program if they target this area. You should also ask your physician if he has some exercise information about core strengthening that are safe to do with back pain.

Most PTs don't like just crunches because they do not address the back and the sides. Walk Away the pounds is a really good "do it yourself" because it is mostly walking with resistance and emphasis on getting your strength up slowly while burning fat at your own pace.

Brisk walking with your abs tight is a good way to start, but you have to do the more difficult work of finding exercises that help build strength in those muscles before it really gets better.