Back pain - breasts, ergonomics, sleeping habits ?

[danaeris]

My back has been hurting more and more. I'm not sure when it started, or if it really had a definite start, but the fact of the matter is that I'm now experiencing almost constant, chronic back pain.

I don't know what's causing it either. Candidates, all of which may be a contributing factor:
(1) Ergonomics. While I've tried to adjust my workstation to be ergonomically sound, the chair I'm in is somewhat broken in that it will not maintain any height, such that my legs cannot sit at ninety degrees. It also lacks a lumbar roll. will279802 is getting a lumbar roll for me, which may help. If that doesn't, I might have to talk to the office about getting me a new chair, or seeing if someone smaller than me has the same problems with this chair sinking, and if not, trade with them. Edit I've just spoken with someone and they said they could get me a new chair no problem. According to him, they run about $200. In the meantime, I've traded chairs with him to see if that helps.

(2) Sleeping position. I've taken to sleeping on my side, semi-curled up. When I don't do that, I usually sleep on my stomach. I've never been able to sleep on my back, but if this pain continues, I might try to learn. Thing is, I always thought that sleeping on your side was supposed to be GOOD for your back.

(3) Bra. I'm wearing relatively low-quality bras from La Senza. I could buy higher quality bras and see if having more support helps. Thing is, I just bought a fancy expensive bra designed for large women, and it dug into my skin and caused me pain. So, I dunno. But, if higher quality bras don't do the trick, maybe corsetting would. Because, you know, I really want to be wearing a corset every day. *sarcasm*

(4) Breasts. If my breasts really are 36F, it may be that what I'm dealing with here is in fact an inevitable fact of my breast size. In which case, I may have to choose between chronic pain, and breast reduction surgery. However, I love my breasts and fully intend to try out some of these other options. Once they are exhausted, I will go to a doctor and talk to them about this and see if they can help me with physical therapy, or if they think that I might need surgery. I really hope not.

For today, I took two excedrin migraine (caffeine because I'm tired, codeine and acetaminophen for the pain... it was that or ibuprofen), and I'm trying to use a rolled up sweater as a lumbar roll. I feel better standing, but I have to work.

I will not cry, but my back actually hurts so much that it's tempting.

Advice, support, etc. welcome. I was really happy this morning, but my back hurts so much right now I can hardly focus on my work.

Edit re moving
Yeah, I know I just moved, but I didn't do that much lifting. Also, more relevantly, the back pain has been building for a while; I've just been ignoring it or assuming it was temporary.

Edit re doctors
I have an appointment for bloodwork follow up on the 24th; if this isn't resolved by then, I will probably talk to her then about it.

Comments

[jackspryte.livejournal.com]

You also may have unknowingly exasperated it this weekend making it ULTRA sensitive.

knottymark could help too!

I can do what I can *pet, pet, pet, rub, rub (giving helpful backrubs).

[danaeris.livejournal.com]

It's been hurting more and more, though. This is not a new thing. It hurts almost all the time, and while I've made noises about it, this is the first time that I've really acknowledged that I may have a serious problem.

[(Anonymous)]

A chair can make a huge difference. In the US, at least, a lot of offices have ergonomics policies, and your chair sounds like it wouldn't pass anyone's standards. Maybe Canadian businesses are less worried about lawsuits and worker's comp claims but it's worth a try to see if they'll get you a new one. Make sure it's a chair rated for 8+ hours of sitting. (MIT was pretty good about this, when I was in charge of ordering furniture for my old lab - the cheapest styles of desk chairs were blacked out on the furniture order page, and you could only buy chairs rated for 8+ hours of sitting.)

[danaeris.livejournal.com]

I don't know what the laws are, but I've been kind of in denial that something was wrong. Now that I've spoken with someone, they tell me they can buy a new chair if necessary. Dunno if these are rated for 8+ hours though... he said they cost around $80.

[aberrantvirtue.livejournal.com]

My guess is no then.

I just bought a cheaper end 8+ hour chair, and it was ~$140 US.

As a guidline.

[danaeris.livejournal.com]

I was smoking crack. I don't know why I typed that. He said they cost around 200 dollars, not 80.

[fyfer.livejournal.com]

that was me, sorry. I wonder why I've been doing that so much recently (not noticing I'm logged out).

[con-girl.livejournal.com]

I have upper back trouble. Lumbar rolls actually worsen my problems.

Things I would try - get yourself a Obus form seat (not a back thingy but a seat). It will raise the height of the chair, but more improtantly, will also help you sit right.

Good bras should help. I don't know where to go in TO but there are places here. I find sport bras the best but I am very small chested so that may not help for you.

There are muscle lifts (exercises) that you can use but note that they may increase your bust size.

Sleeping on your side is good - but is your mattress.

Application of heat (get yourself a heating pad) can be very helpful

[danaeris.livejournal.com]

the seat you're talking about... this is an insert to the existing chair?

[con-girl.livejournal.com]

http://www.obusforme.com/product_nav.asp?ID=24

A picture is worth a 1000 words - this is the model I have. I find it more useful than the back supports but I do have both.

[videomaker.livejournal.com]

I think getting a new chair is a great idea. I know chairs have made a big difference for me (and your chair sounds like it needs replacing even if your back was not hurting).

I have also had good luck with changing bras.

How is your mattress?

Anyway, I hope you are feeling better soon.

P.S. -- Glad you were able to rent your new place.

[kittnslave.livejournal.com]

I don't know - If I could get away with it -I would wear a corset everyday - but then I love corsets :) Just the corsets I have are severely not work appropriate.

When sleeping on your side do you have a pillow between your knees - sometimes that is an inexpensive way to relieve some pressure on your lowerback.

and a new chair would be wonderful - I wish I could bring in my old work chair because it was wonderful for me - but not for anyone else. The chair i have at work is too tall even on the lowest setting - :hugs: I sympathise with the back pain :)

[softflame.livejournal.com]

Sounds like it could be a combination of all of the above. Well made bras that fit correctly will help.( I have back probs due to my breasts too, so I can relate to this one.) Also, a new chair should help greatly. Keep in mind too, your posture when sitting.

Someome I see already asked about your mattress. I think that is a good question. Is it an old one? I've had back problems before due to that. Getting a new mattress helped a great deal.

[foms.livejournal.com]

It's a small, small world...

Oog

[misslynx.livejournal.com]

Back pain isn't an inevitable consequence of having large breasts, though it is a fairly common one. I'm a 38F, and I only have back problems if I sit badly while working, and/or sleep badly. If I wear decent bras and pay attention to my posture, my back is usually fine.

Best bra I have, BTW, is a Chantelle bra that I got at SuperSellers Discount Lingerie on Yonge St. Not cheap, even at their marked-down prices, but very worth it. I look and feel better in that bra than any other I've ever had.

BTW, can you remind me where we're at on your web site? I've been so swamped lately that I can't remember whether you were still looking into that gravitational whatsit image you wanted to use, or whether we gave up on that and I'm supposed to be finding a new image. I know you said you're not in a hurry because you're not doing much freelancing right now, but we probably shouldn't let it slide for too long...

[danaeris.livejournal.com]

I've been meaning to ping you about the website. It would be good if we could get that up and running sooner than later, now that I'm moving/moved. I'm hoping to get back on the writing horse.

And, it looks like we're stuck with whatever images we can find: no gravitational lenses for us!