Pelvic Foundation Story
Grace, an 80 year old woman, came in with her daughter. During her physical examination and history, her daughter was surprised to find out her mother had pain in her back for the past five years. I asked Grace, “What happened five years ago?”
She answered, “Nothing.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
Her daughter asked, “Wasn’t that when Dad wasn’t doing good, and you and he went into that care home?”
Grace thought about it for a moment and said, “Oh, I guess so…”
Changing Foundation
The pelvis area is about foundation and change. Grace’s entire living situation changed from living in her own house for more than 40 years, to living in a care home, and that was a big change for her. There were different people, a different environment, a different way of life, plus her husband was not doing well. Grace was clearly uncomfortable in her new living environment and her pelvis was giving her a blaring signal.
Her pain began to worsen three years ago, which being a coincidence or not, corresponded at the same time with her husband’s passing. The pain intensified the following morning even without her doing anything that would cause an increase in pain.
Shifting Our Identity
The sacrum (lower back) is linked with our foundation. Lower back pain above the pelvis arises usually when we move or make a shift in our identity. Physically, it can happen when we pick up something heavy or turning our body in an awkward way. Mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, it’s when we’re questioning the direction we’re going in, figuring out who we are, or not being able to safely express ourselves. This creates a conflict in our sense of self and what we should be doing versus what we are doing.
There can be mild to severe pain, and doctors usually prescibe muscle relaxers or anti-inflammatory drugs. They prescribe this form of treatment to help ease the person from the pain they are experiencing. Although this may take the pain away initially, but over time if the person can’t feel the pain, they can end up injuring themselves more, creating bigger problems in the future.
Doctors are doing their best and making the best diagnosis based upon the symptoms that are being presented. They may not always have enough time to really ask what is going on in a person’s life. Also their scope of practice leads them to prescribing medications to help stop the symptoms, but it doesn’t necessarily address the cause.
Judging Choices
In my life, I will get lower back and pelvic pain if I was judging my choices, where I was in my life, or doubting what I know to be true for me. The lower back is also linked at times with financial worries, stress, and challenging relationships. The right side of the lower back is associated with a male figure in a person’s life (husband, brother, father, coworker, etc.), while the left side is associated with a female figure (wife, sister, mother, coworker, etc.).
If you can relate to low back or pelvic pain, or have a story to share about how an experience was linked to pain, please feel free to share it in the comment box below. There is a benefit to expressing and sharing our stories!