[faithy]

Hi all,

I've been experiencing pretty bad back pain since my LO was born - initially due to pregnancy, then breastfeeding, and now all the poor postural type things eg when changing her, bathing her, carrying her up and down the stairs to the car in the capsule etc etc. I've also recently had carpel tunnel, and my left knee has been flaring up from a previous injury 15 years ago. Fun times!

I'm confused as to who I see especially for my back and would appreciate some advice.. so many possible health professionals and I want to get it sorted asap before it becomes any worse.

Thanks for your help!

[HerringToMarmala...]

Have you been to a GP? They can give you a referral to the right person.

[Pooks*potters]

I agree, ask for a GP referral, you might even be able to subsidize some of the visits through medicare with a referral. I'd be thinking physio, though.

[RunawayPrincess]

Out of the 3 I'd choose chiro. I had a fantastic chiro who worked wonders on my body. I felt so amazing when I was seeing him, he completely fixed the horrendous and paralysing SPD that I experienced during my last pregnancy.

This post has been edited by RunawayPrincess: 18/11/2012, 09:22 PM

[Old Grey Mare]

I second the GP suggestion as a starting point. You really have been in the wars haven't you. Hopefully a solution is not too far away for you.

[Mumof1OneontheWa...]

Def recommend Chiro - and unlikely that a GP will refer you to one. Have been treated throughout pregnancy and after with chiro and found the treatment great. My children and husband also get treated monthly.

[Wahwah]

Hard one, because everyone will advocate for the specialist that helped them the most.

See for me, after trying physio for a year, it was an osteo who fixed my problems, which were mainly to do with lower back and hip problems originating from pelvic misalignment from a decade old injury (fell down the stairs 10 years prior). Now they work wonders on my headaches and neck issues and this assists with sinus pain and congestion. What I liked was that they didn't just treat the site of the symptons, which I was finding with the physio, but looked for the originating problem.

So maybe it's a GP to first diagnose the core issues and then recommend where to get treatment.

[mollybot]

Osteo is the gentlest, but do try Googling "Gentle Chiropractic" in your area - its a specific type of chiro that doesn't use as much manipulation.

A physio can also be good, especially if you have muscular as well as "bone" problems, but I've found that Physios can be quite rough. I had one fix up a locked up back muscle and I was screaming in pain at what he was doing. He fixed it, but my Chiro sucked his teeth when I told him about it.....

Ask around your friends and family - a good recommendation is a great place to start. If you're in Perth I have some good recommendations - I won't bore you with my history, but I was a wreck after having children !

I personally wouldn't bother with a GP. My Mum had sciatica and the GP put her on anti-inflammatories and painkillers while waiting three weeks for an ultrasound. She then got told to go to a Physio. The Physio went "That's sciatica" and fixed it in 5 minutes flat ! When I got sciatica I went to my Chiro and he went "That's sciatica" and fixed it in five minutes flat. The difference ? I didn't wait three weeks in agony and unable to move to be treated !

Given that you have knee problems as well, I'd start with a Physio or Osteo as they do more soft tissue work, and maybe see a Chiro after that for your back. If the Chiro says " We have to take x-rays and then you'll have to come in twice a week for the next two months" find another Chiro. Both of mine pride themselves on fixing something in two goes or less.

[yellowtulips74]

Definitely Chiro. Don't waste your time with the GP on this one.

You poor thing - hope you get some relief soon!

[imamumto3]

osteo has worked wonders for various problems for me and my family. I just go direct, not to the gp first.