Who'ld be a woman?
Infantile Colic
Scoliosis
Growing Pains
Looking After Baby
Back to School
Period Pain and Chiropractic
Children and Chiropractic
Pregnancy Do's and Don'ts
Pregnancy, Babies & Children
Top Tips for Schoolchildren
Pregnancy and back pain

The joy of preparing for a new baby is diminished for many women by persistent back pain during pregnancy, causing much stress and frustration due to lack of relief available. Many pain-reducing drugs have unwanted side effects that may endanger both mother and child. For this reason, it is important to know as much as possible about why you may be experiencing back pain as well as effective alternatives to taking medication.

By working closely with the chiropractor using simple and conservative methods, you can experience a healthy and natural pregnancy free from back pain.

Pregnancy is a time of constant change in preparation for the new and growing baby. Postural changes, increased weight gain and the ligaments becoming more stretched are a normal progression of pregnancy, but may cause more pain and discomfort in some women than others.

How common is back pain during pregnancy?

If you experience back during your pregnancy, you share the problem with almost half of all pregnant women. In a recent study of 950 women, 49% complained of back pain. These results emphasise the importance of developing and maintaining a healthy back before you become pregnant.

What causes the back pain?

No single cause explains the common experience of back pain during pregnancy; however, postural and hormonal changes do contribute to the problem.

During pregnancy a woman’s body changes dramatically. These changes cause the spine to undergo adjustments in its form. The most common postural changes are due to the bulk of the growing baby, the enlarging breasts and secondary weight gain as the body prepares to nourish the new baby.

Due to the growth of the abdomen, the lower spine is pulled forward, causing women to throw their shoulders back and their heads forward to compensate for these changes. This often results in the backache and tension headaches associated with pregnancy.

Hormones released during pregnancy, particularly oestrogen, progesterone, and relaxin, cause softening and relaxation of the ligaments and joints. This creates increased mobility of the joints, giving a “waddling” walk, and makes them more prone to injury and pain.

What are the symptoms?

  • Low back and pelvic joint pain and discomfort.
  • Pain in the ribcage and shoulder girdle
  • Neck and shoulder ache
  • Headache and migraine
  • Pain or numbness in arms and legs
  • Heartburn, caused by poor posture or foetal size

Prevention tips

A lot can be said about the prevention of lower back and pelvic pain during pregnancy. Posturally it is vital not to accentuate any curvatures and as much as possible keep an upright posture. Remember there is added weight on the body so digging, gardening, hovering and lifting needs to be done gently and with caution.

 

 

Prevention tips

One of the most common problems is carrying a toddler on the same hip whilst carrying out other household tasks. Try to hold the toddler in a well proportioned rucksack in front or on the back. As pregnancy progresses and this is impossible, make sure you vary the side of the hip.

When sitting on a chair it may help to use a cushion in the small of the back to give support for tired muscles. Exercises to strengthen the pelvic muscles are vital, and it is also of value to strengthen the leg muscles for the increase in weight and to prepare for labour.

The problems that are associated with the mid back are often aggravated by lifting a toddler in and out of the car during pregnancy. It is important to lift anything heavy near the body and avoid twisting especially whilst holding anything with outstretched arms.

Again sitting awkwardly whilst working at a desk, especially with crossed legs may aggravate the condition. Exercises to improve the strength of the postural muscles of the mid back are helpful. It is important not to forget to stretch out the shortened chest muscles which often cause the shoulders to roll forwards.

Conclusion

Chiropractic should be an important part of your pregnancy to prevent backache. Chiropractic can help you to have a more comfortable pregnancy and less stressful delivery by means of gentle and specific treatment specially designed for the pregnant woman.

You and the chiropractor can work together to develop a course of exercise to increase muscle tone and flexibility and help to reduce tension. This may range from continuing your current exercise programme to introducing a series of gentle stretches and advice on posture and exercises to strengthen the spine.

Chiropractors use modified adjusting techniques that allow you to receive chiropractic care well into your pregnancy. If you have any further questions, just ask your chiropractic.

Pregnancy: Do’s and Don’ts

DON’T:

  • Accept back pain as normal
  • Carry children on the same hip all the time
  • Use heat on any aches; instead apply an ice pack for 10 minutes every hour.
  • Wear tight clothing which may resist normal joint movement
  • Perform excessive stretching exercises
  • Twist or bend at the same time, especially when lifting
  • Put on excessive weight

DO:

  • Consult a qualified chiropractor throughout your pregnancy
  • Try to get fit prior to becoming pregnant
  • Continue exercising, especially toning pelvic muscles
  • Try to keep a flat back when you have to stand for a long period of time
  • Support the lower back when sitting with a cushion
  • When you lift, keep your back flat and use the legs to lift the weight, keeping it as near to your body as you can
  • Attend ante natal classes
  • Take more rests lying down towards the end of pregnancy
  • Use ice packs on your lower back if it feels sore at the end of the day.