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back pain help
My son was a very big baby (11 lbs 7 oz) and on my 5'1 frame, the pregnancy (and large infant/toddler size) did a number on my back/hip. I've been seeing a chiropractor regarding the pain, and he has adjusted my alignment several times... but it only lasts about a day and then I'm in pain again. The pain starts as a slow ache, starting on my left hip, and then spreads across my entire lower/mid back to the point where I gasp from the shooting pain. And this is from standing for like 10 min cooking dinner 
So I need to either see a new chiropractor, or see a specialist regarding this pain, to see if there is a solution that will end the pain, or to get the verdict on if this is something I just need to manage for life. The trips to the other chiropractor once every two weeks for a days worth of relief is not working
Anyone have a good referral for me, for either a chiropractor or (I'm guessing orthopedic??) doctor that has helped them with lower back or hip problems? I'm in NW DC (Farragut North area) and I have Blue Cross Blue Shield Federal if it matters for insurance purposes...
Thanks everyone!
Re: back pain help
I had great luck at my local Capitol Spine and Pain Center. There's one in DC near you. I'm in PT now, which is great. They are helping me strengthen my core to avoid reinjuring myself. (I have degenerative discs and ruptured one last month.) I'm pain free right now, and the PT is helping me understand how to protect myself. I saw a chiro for a long time, but adjustments don't do much if you don't get your core right.
I agree with PP--it's time to see an orthopedist to rule anything out. Then, if they can't help you, try another chiropracter.
I also carried over 11 lbs of baby, so I know what it can do to your back and hips and other joints. An orthopedist may just send you to a physical therapist. Several moms I know who had pain after pregnancy with twins and singletons needed some PT after to get relieve back pain.
I don't have any recommendations. The orthopedists and chiro's I've seen (for other injuries) are in VA and MD (Commonweatlth Orthopedics, Montgomery Orthopedics, and Postively Chiropractic). I've had great experiences with all of them, particularly the last two.
you may also want to do core-strengthening exercises
good luck, I hope you find something. I have back pain, too, and I blame 2 pregnancies (though only 7+ lbs each) and 2 c-sections. I also have vit D deficiency, which contributes. So you may want to check for that as well.
Definitely see an orthopod.
I'd recommend the guy I saw when I broke my leg/ankle - but, he's in MD. So, that would be no help!
I did go to Anderson Orthopedics (in S Arlington) for back problems about 10 years ago. They were OK.
Disc problems can cause pain in the hips. I just had a good appointment at Anderson Clinic (after a terrible experience with Commonwealth) about hip pain and it looks like mine is back related.
DH has had several back surgeries recently and has been going to a physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist (aka physiatry) but she is in Reston.
I am sorry you are going through this. While I was PG, the ligaments in my pelvis over-loosened to such an extreme degree that my pelvis separated. A tough labor caused further damage to my pelvis and lower back. 9.5 months pp, eight professional opinions and a couple thousand dollars later, my pain is at a 4/10 rather than a 7/10. It isn't where I want to live life, but it is a huge improvement that makes things much more bearable. Here are a variety of thoughts based on my journey:
Is your chiro a specialist in pregnancy-related/women's health issues? Consider getting a second opinion. I went to one guy, a pretty general chiro, 3x per week for a couple of months. I felt a desire to seek out someone else and I was blown away by what a big difference to have a chiro who treated mostly PG and post-partum women.
I second Capitol Spine and Back. I had a great consult with Dr. Wagner. I decided to go another direction, but he was the first doctor who was able to really put the pieces together. (I am still nursing which keeps my over-abundant relaxin up which means my body cannot fully heal because it stays loose, which means Dr. Wagner's solutions were not a fit yet.)
I have not done accpunture, but many have recommended it.
I did biofeedback with great success. Deep rythmic breathing and relaxation is vital for managing chronic pain. The science behind it is pretty mind-blowing. While my pain absolutely was real, the degree to which my brain sensed it was actually not accurate--pain signals get screwy after 3 months of pain and need to be retrained.
I did 7 weeks of back PT and 3 months of pelvic/core PT and nerve retraining. (The nerves in my back and pelvis were damaged and sending pain signals to my brain incorrectly, the same science as the biofeedback in some ways.)
Vitamins and supplements can be helpful in some situations. I almost never use any pain medication anymore. Digestive enzyme tablets on an empty stomach act as a natural anti-inflamatory. Magnesium, calcium, and fish oil are part of my strategy. Like PP, I am Vit D deficient and need to megadose that.
The Zone Diet also is anti-inflammatory but I just couldn't do it. I know others who it has worked amazingly for, though.
For me, a Physical Medicine doctor was key. But, it comes down to what the problem really is. It may be straighforward for you, it may not. With every appointment--with any care provider--ask what the next step is both if the current tactic works and if it doesn't work. With every appointment leave with a clear idea of what timeline you are looking at for that next step. Get second opinions without guilt. You need to be loyal to yourself and your family, you don't have to be loyal to a medical opinion.
Thank you so much!!! The chiropractor I was seeing was a "sports chiropractic" and while he was wonderful dealing with my wrists (thought I had carpal tunnel)... he wasn't quite getting it with the back and hip pain.
I'll check out Capital Spine and Dr. Wagner! I know the pregnancy weakend me, and that the pain started really ramping up in the past 6 months (as my toddler grew to about 40lbs)...
thanks for all the advice!!
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