Pregnacy and Back Pain

Pregnancy and Back Pain

According to the Journal of Midwifery and Women’s health, up to as much as sixty nine percentage  of pregnant ladies experience back pain during their pregnancy, the same article also states  that only twenty five percent  of providers recommend treatment for low back pain – this means the remaining  providers are saying that its part of pregnancy and will go away after labour. Along with swollen feet and being roughly  ten kgs heavier then we usually are we are also told to live with “the normal back aches” that accompanies being pregnant.

Causes of back pain during pregnancy.
The primary source of back pain during pregnancy is due to the structural changes that occur with the an expanding uterus. Spinal dysfunction can occur in the joints of the lower back and the pelvis. The expansion of the pelvic structures can also cause muscle spasm and referred pain. Lets not forget the stretching of ligaments often also causes public pain. Although the female sacrum has enough depth to enable fetal carriage, the displaced weight gain greatly increases the stress on the joints in lower back and pelvis.
As the fetus develops the weight starts to shift forward. This increases the curve in the lumbar region (lower back region) this displacement of weight further increases the stress on the joints. In addition, the increase in circulating progesterone, estrogen, and relaxin throughout gestation, especially in the third trimester, brings about pelvic hypermobility (increased movement ) and creates a decrease in spinal stabilization.
Physically strenuous work and previous low back pain are factors that may also be associated with an increased risk of developing low back pain and pelvic dysfunction during pregnancy. All of these factors contribute to back pain experienced by the pregnant ladies.

Reducing back pain during Pregnancy.

Massage 

No doubt accompanying an expanding uterus is muscle tightness and sorriness. Without turning this blog into an anatomy lecture  there are two muscles that need extra focusing on especially during the second and third trimester. These two muscles are the piriformis muscle and psoas muscle. Both these muscle groups  undergo enormous strain and are major contributors to lower back pain and referred leg pain. They need to be massaged and stretched out regularly , in the second and  tired trimester  weekly or fortnightly, depending on how tight they are. My advice is find a qualified pregnancy remedial massage therapist and become her/his best friend.

Exercise 
Evidence also exists that women who exercise during pregnancy have more energy, fewer mood swings, are able to manage stress more effectively, and achieve more restful sleep compared with sedentary pregnant women. Women who exercise gain twenty one percent  less weight throughout gestation; enjoy shorter, easier labors (decreased by an average of two hours); experience fewer medical interventions and experience less fetal distress; and enjoy a faster recovery.

Chiropractic 

Chiropractors can help ease pressure of the back during pregnancy, assisting your spine with flexibility and strength. Chiropractic care can reduce spinal tension, helping the pelvis to become stable and relaxed this allows the joints to move more freely during the pregnancy and also during labour. Imagine how much more comfortable you will be  exercising when your spine is moving freely! Research shows that women experience twenty four percent reduction in labour time with chiropractic care during pregnancy.

Together with Remedial massage , exercising and regular Chiropractic care you can reduce back pain during your pregnancy  and your reduce  labour time!

Sandy G