Anyone ever try to change their posture to offset

[izazen]

PFD/IC symptoms?

I once read in Yoga Journal that we westerners learn to stand incorrectly as we mature in that we have correct, natural posture as children but as we grow up we are told its proper to hold your stomach in, keep your chest high - in other words "suck it up" for that flat belly look.
In reality, we should continue to stand as we did as kids, rear end out, belly thrust forward and definitely not sucked in.
If you try it you will notice your inner organs and pelvic floor lie in totally different places - I wonder if it puts less emphasis on that pelvic floor "sling" we hear about and takes the pressure off of it.
I'm going to try it - starting tonight!

[waterflow]

I sat in a recliner chair once after the IC started. As soon as I pushed it all the way back and I was laying down the bladder pain stopped instantly. Was a great feeling but as soon as I sat back up the pain was there again. Could be something to what you are saying.

[laurahallie]

well i havent tried to do that, although i realized that i actually do suck my stomach in constantly without even realizing it, but i HAVE tried to stop standing like i do. my knees hyperextend, and my entire life i have stood so that the knees lock, and so my pelvis is thus thrusted forward. i read somewhere that someone had hyperextended knees and they believed that is what caused their pfd. i dont know whether i have pfd or not yet, but i have tried to stand properly lately just in case.

[Berkshire Road]

Absolutely agree with Waterflow that the recliner position is a huge relief. So you may be on to something! Keep us updated; I'd really like to hear how this pans out for you.

[dodgewoman]

I actually feel my best when I get on all 4s and let my stomach drop to the floor, arching my back. Now if I could only stay like that all day!

[DaniBelle]

Can't be in a car for more than 1 hour. Tried different positions, different vehicles...so...I'm a homebody. At home, I'm usually always reclined with a heating pad on high.

[Berkshire Road]

Oh Danifleur, me too! I'm sometimes using three heating pads at once -- one for my back and two to cover the entire pelvic area. I feel we have such a close relationship nowadays that I've started giving the heating pads names :) :) Okay, possibly going a little stir crazy...

I just got the IC cushion,with the split middle to take pressure off the sensitive area for us. It's very comfortable and I'm optimistic that maybe I'll be able to handle longer car rides soon.

Car rides can also work ok for me on "good" days as long as I'm not driving -- I take a muscle relaxant and a painkiller, put several pillows under and around me, recline the passenger seat, and sleep through them. Not great company for hubby, but he understands.

[DaniBelle]

Has anyone found a wrap-around portable heating pad? I know the chiropractors use a heated gel pack which is inserted inside a cloth wrap which is heaven, but I've never seen one available for purchase. I know those stick-on cold/heat pads are available everywhere, but I can't stand the cold sensation (I'm specifically talking about for back and abdomen) and they don't last very long. Just wondering. Might call my old chiropractor and see if he can steer us towards something that would work. It would be great to be able to go grocery shopping w/my heating pad on....maybe fashion them like a trendy 'belt'...who knows... If anyone asked 'why the pad'....behold..an opportunity to make the public aware of this debilitating condition!

[Berkshire Road]

I use therma-care wraparounds. They're not stick-ons; they wrap around like a back brace and hook with velcro. You wear them under your clothes, athough I find that can be too hot, so sometimes I put on a camisole and then the wrap over that. If you want heat all around, you have to use two or three at the same time, but I've done it and it works ok. Just wear loose clothes :)

Therma-care is the name of the product and the specific one you want is labelled for back/hip. You can find them in most chain drugstores, but if you have a Costso near you they are MUCH cheaper there.

[DaniBelle]

I didn't realize they had ones for the waist area. I've seen the ones for knees, etc., but nothing else...guess I didn't look close enough. GREAT! I'm going to pick up a couple at the WM Supercenter.

Merci beaucoup!

[Moonheart]

The gel packs are at Walmart. They last forever, can be frozen OR put in boiling water to heat. Don't microwave them because it says not to. But they only cost a few dollars and are so much cheaper than the wraps!

[Berkshire Road]

Danifleur -- So happy to be able to help! Mon plaisir.

Moonheart -- I just find the therma-cares more comfortable for walking around in. They are more expensive, but if you have a Costco or BJ's the price is around 25% of what you'd pay in Walmart.

Guess we all have to try things and see what works best for us, individually. That's one of the great things about the forum -- you can get so many different ideas and information. When my doctor first suggested trying to find a support group, I was thinking, "Right, that'll be good. A bunch of people with pelvic pain sitting on hard plastic chairs in some church basement or something... " The online support group makes so much more sense and can bring together so many more people :woohoo:

[sami4]

I think you hit the nail on the head with the comment that posture impacts pain. It does so because it causes muscle spasms and then the muscle has a looping effect and cant seem to stop signaling.
My physical therapist that the Pelvic Floor Disorder Doc sent me to said the worst possible posture is trying to round the lower back, thrusting the pelvic cavity out of alignment, sucking in the belly, and locking the knees.
Both the PT and the Doc said that PFD is caused by constantly tensing muscles that you dont even realize you are tensing. One of the most common is when as a kid you are tying to learn to control bowels and bladder. This becomes pretty much an obsession to children and they start to tense those muscles so they can hold it. As you grow on up you still are doing it to some extent, and especially if you have a frequency problem or bladder problems.
I can remember as a kid, the modeling agency where I used to do some runway clothing modeling was always harping,"Suck in that gut, tuck in that booty." Worse possible advice for back and pelvic health. Best advice must be,"Let it all hang out."
SAmmi