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How to Get In and Out of Bed Properly

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Fibromyalgia
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Posted 5/10/2015 3:30 PM (GMT 0)
I posted this a while back but thought I would repeat it for the newbies.

First of all, I do not sleep flat on my back because it makes my back hurt more. I don't sleep on my stomach either. I sleep on my sides with a pillow wedged behind my back. This way, I can partially be on my back but have support. That helps me. I also get out of bed using a cane. I roll on my side, draw my legs up in a sitting position so the legs are actually hanging over the floor, and then I push off with the cane. Gravity will bring your legs down and you will be pulled to a sitting position without using your back muscles.

When getting in and out of a car, sit on the seat with your feet on the pavement. Then, either using the seat or the steering wheel, swivel your feet into the car while keeping your back straight. I buy cars with leather seats because they are slippery. But, when I rent a car and get cloth seats I had to come up with another idea...and I did! I get a garbage bag and a towel. I lay the garbage bag on the seat and the towel over it. Then I do the above. The garbage bag and towel let your rear end swivel like you were on a lazy susan! LOL Just reverse the above to get out of the car.

Don't use your back muscles when you are lifting things up. Use your legs instead. By doing the above things, my back rarely hurts me now. I hope these suggestions will help you, too!

Sherrine
Posted 5/10/2015 8:08 PM (GMT 0)
I had a therapist teach me how to sit down and stand up.

I had to use my thigh muscles while keeping my back straight to get up and down. Don't jut your butt out to sit down or bend at the waist.
Posted 5/10/2015 9:33 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, Sherrine! Great suggestions.
Posted 5/10/2015 10:56 PM (GMT 0)
Great post, Sherrine. I have had a couple of back surgeries and was taught to do pretty much the same thing. If you don't have a cane, you can place your hands on the bed and push yourself into a sitting position after you have rolled over on your side and hung your feet off the side of the bed.
Posted 5/11/2015 12:59 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you so much for reposting this for me and all people like me. I don't have a cane but will get one. And thank you for the tip about the vehicle I usually roll my body in then pull my legs in.
Posted 5/11/2015 1:04 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you Austenfan, I will use your suggestion until I get a cane. Thank you so very much all of you. You are truly strong intelligent women and men.
Posted 5/18/2015 12:22 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you !
Posted 5/18/2015 6:25 PM (GMT 0)
I hope this helps all of you. I was continually straining my back when getting in and out of bed the wrong way and especially when getting in and out of the car. My back is doing a lot better now.

It's amazing what simple things we can do that give us help. I always look for ways to work around the fibro pain to do what I want to do.

Sherrine
Posted 5/18/2015 10:22 PM (GMT 0)
This works for neck pain too. I haven't figured out how to approach the car and arm/ neck fibro pain. One thing is I try to remember to relax arms and neck when driving; not so easy here in the city ;)
Blessings
Posted 5/19/2015 4:53 PM (GMT 0)
I do the same thing, Lucinda. When I drive I have a death grip on the steering wheel. I have to remind myself frequently to take a deep breath, relax my grip, and lower/relax my shoulders.
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