Ergonomic Chairs

[Kieren]

I'm not sure where to post this so I thought I'd wing it here!

2 months ago, I hurt my lower back - my chiropractor thinks I sprained my sacrum. That whole muscle group is part of the pelvis. It probably took me about 4 weeks of extensive therapy to feel better.

I started sleeping with a support under my legs - the kind that keeps my knees at a slight angle (maybe 25-3- degrees). And we also looked into a more ergonomic chair.

Now I'm wondering.... maybe my lower back injury aggravated my pelvic floor muscle and that's why I'm feeling mild twinges of pressure/pain and a small increase in frequency? I'm trying NOT to grasp at straws but my symptoms occured a few weeks after my back injury.

Is sleeping on a support under your legs going to further tighten your pelvic muscles? And would getting a chair like the above also aggravate the condition?

Ahhhh. I know. I know. IT could be a million things. I'm just hoping it's not THAT thing. *sigh*

{Edited to remove advertising site}

[rosesitty]

Kieren - I notice if I sit more, even on my $800 ergonomic chair, it will aggravate my pelvic floor muscles. The best thing is to lie down, but I can't do that 24/7 and still work!!!
Your recent injury could be causing some pelvic floor spasming.

[Kieren]

Thanks for the feedback Rosesitty!

I'm going to cancel my ergonomic chair order. I think I can probably find better uses for that money - like PT!!

You might be right about my recent injury aggravating my pelvic floor muscles. I'm feeling a lot better .. even just this past week. Just changing to the IC diet and drinking lots of water - I'm almost symptom free *knock on wood*.

I have an appointment with my doctor this morning. So we'll see.

[rosesitty]

Kieren, I think sitting down in ANY kind of chair is going to cause problems. Save your chair money!

[Katrina]

If your pelvic muscles are part of your problems there are other things I would try fist.

I don't think your grasping at straws when thinking what you do but when the muscles are hurt sitting isn't usually helpful.

I don't know much about this kind of chair so forgive me if this next statement is naive but if it is a message chair I normally find that hard on my bladder....sort of like the vibration of riding it a car...not fun.
Treating PFD:
• Pelvic floor relaxation technique
• Warm sitz baths two or three times a day
• Avoiding constipation and straining during bowel movements
• Avoiding straining during urination
• Stress reduction
• Avoiding sitting for long periods of time
• Biofeedback
• Posture education (if needed)
• Muscle relaxants
• Trigger point therapy
• TENS(transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) unit
• Myofascial therapy
• Acupuncture
• Diet modification (to avoid spasms, constipation, and dehydration)
• Gentle exercise (muscle strengthening is only done on patient by patient basis and should be second to muscle relaxation!)
• Yoga
• Tai Chi

[Kieren]

Thanks Katrina! Great advice.

I went ahead and cancelled my chair order. And will look to finding a reputable PT and acupuncturist.

Also, I went to see my doctor today and I asked her about the Pelvic Floor muscles - she seemed to think that they wouldn't really impact the bladder because the bladder is in the front of the body and most of the muscles affected would be in the back of the pelvis.

But from everything I've read, if the muscles in the pelvic floor are spasming or tightened, they can definitely impact the bladder.

Oh well.