So, if I am terrified of the chiropractor...

[Purple*Lotus]

is there any other relief out there for back pain?

I am seriously afraid of the chiropractor. I wont go, unless someone carried me in crying hysterically I have my reasons for being scared, I had a bad experience with one years ago. I know there are probably many others out there who are not scary, but I just can't get past it in my head

I have crazy back pain because now that I am sleeping with a BiPap machine for my sleep apnea, I sleep in the same position all night long. My body does not like this, apparently My mattress is brand new and just right for me. My pillows are awesome. I don't have any issues when I don't use my BiPap machine, which is why I link it up. Not using the machine is not optional because my apnea is considered life threatening. I like to live, so I am keeping it

I really wish I could just suck it up and go get adjusted

Anyhow, any suggestions on what I can do? Stretches to try? Anything? I don't always have pain, because some nights I am more restless and therefore move more. But other nights I wake up with nasty pain and it keeps me from going back to sleep. I have been taking pain reliever for it but I don't want to do that.

Any suggestions?

[tanyalynn]

Willing to go to someone who does cranial-sacral? Read about it, it's incredibly gentle, just as gentle for adults as it is for babies. It's all very slow movements, slow, subtle pressure.

[red and lulu]

a physical therapist may be able to help you — find one who does the jones strain-counterstrain method (it's a gentle positional relief technique) which can be as effective as a chiropractic adjustment.

[A&A]

maybe set an alarm for the middle of the night so you can wake up and change positions?

or sleep on your side with a pillow between your knees.

[Purple*Lotus]

Originally Posted by TanyaLopez

Willing to go to someone who does cranial-sacral? Read about it, it's incredibly gentle, just as gentle for adults as it is for babies. It's all very slow movements, slow, subtle pressure.

I will check in to that. I might be able to handle that.

Originally Posted by red + lulu

a physical therapist may be able to help you — find one who does the jones strain-counterstrain method (it's a gentle positional relief technique) which can be as effective as a chiropractic adjustment.

I will also look in to this!

Originally Posted by A&A

maybe set an alarm for the middle of the night so you can wake up and change positions?

or sleep on your side with a pillow between your knees.

I do the pillow between the legs already. I was considering setting the alarm but wasn't sure if that would work. But I think I will try it tonight and see how it works. I am up in the middle of the night anyhow, so it might as well be to prevent pain as opposed to being because of it

Thanks

[californiajenn]

Originally Posted by TanyaLopez

Willing to go to someone who does cranial-sacral? Read about it, it's incredibly gentle, just as gentle for adults as it is for babies. It's all very slow movements, slow, subtle pressure.

I totally agree. I'm seeing a chiro that does cranial-sacral and he is by far the most gentle chiro I've seen.

You could also consider yoga. My chiro, holistic MD, ND, and acupuncturist all recommend it for back issues.

[pianojazzgirl]

I was going to suggest yoga as well.

I also see a (let me see if I've got this right....) masso-kinesio-therapist (sooo not sure of the spelling, sorry!), who does sort of a combo of massage, and stretching me out (as you might imagine a physiotherapist doing - like I'll lie on my back and he'll gently press my bent leg towards my chest), and he also does EXTREMELY gentle and slow adjustments (like I'm lying on my back and he'll have his hand on my neck and five minutes later he'll say "ok all done", and it doesn't feel like he did anything... except the pain is gone). I've never seen an osteopath but I believe they might do similar treatment???

I'm so sorry you had a traumatic experience with a chiro. I see one that is so awesome - gentle and knowledgeable - and I trust him explicitly. I'm sad to hear that you had such a negative experience.

Good luck with resolving your back pain. I've lived with that kind of pain before and it can really take it's toll.

[manchestermafia]

You could try a chiro who uses a machine--no snapping of the neck. I love it. Go to pro-adjuster.us to find a chiro near you who uses the machine. I've had great relief with this.

[A&A]

Originally Posted by manchestermafia

You could try a chiro who uses a machine--no snapping of the neck. I love it. Go to pro-adjuster.us to find a chiro near you who uses the machine. I've had great relief with this.

I think it's called an activator, right?

[weliveintheforest]

What about massage therapy? If your muscles are relaxed maybe your spine can go where it needs to be, or at least give you some relief.