more coherent comment on back pain

[baratron]

I've worked out what's wrong with the support I get from this sofa, but I don't know how to modify it. The problem is my coccyx gets squashed, starting almost as soon as when I sit down. The coccyx squishing doesn't actually hurt very much, just makes my bum a bit numb, but over the period of an hour or so, pain gradually refers up my spine. Eventually it gets to the point around my lower ribs, which is a "bad" area for pain as it's near my scoliosis, and about where my evil gall bladder starts spreading pain into intestines, and then I notice it as absolutely horrible pain that stops me being able to do anything.

I cannot work out WHY the sofa squashes my tailbone, and other chairs don't, so I'm experimenting with pillows and cushions to try to figure it out. As well as the obvious back support, it could be a height thing or a seat support issue. Right now, I'm not convinced at all what the problem is. It's worth also noticing that my arse has lost some of its padding as I've lost weight, so this could have been a problem for months and I only just noticed because only now is there insufficient arse-padding to stop the coccyx squishing. It's all very mysterious.

Comments

[ailbhe]

When I lost weight after Linnea was born, sitting on dining chairs hurt precisely because that's where I used to keep my fat reserves. I put cushions on all of them.

[thekumquat.livejournal.com]

They sell cushions and seat wedges with holes in the back for your coccyx for this very reason. A wedge-shaped cushion may help, or trying to sit with more of your thighs further back on the seat, so your weight sits a bit further forward on your pelvis. If it's a new thing, maybe your sofa has lost some of it's squishiness and a cushion would help?

[x-mass.livejournal.com]

thanks for saying more clearly what I was going to say

[taimatsu]

I haven't any useful advice, unfortunately, but I'm glad you are beginning to work out what the problem is. I hope things become clearer, and you can find a way to deal with it!