Are you pregnant and experiencing back pain?
You are not alone as it is estimated 50% of all pregnant women will experience back pain at some stage during pregnancy or during the postpartum period.
Back pain during pregnancy can have various causes, and it’s often a combination of factors that contribute to the discomfort. Here are some common causes of back pain during pregnancy:
- weight gain
- hormonal changes
- postural/structural changes
- stress on the pelvic area
- poor body mechanics
- and increased stress on the spine and joints
What are the symptoms of pregnancy-related back pain?
Pregnancy-related back pain can manifest in various ways, and the symptoms experienced can vary from person to person. Here are some common symptoms of back pain during pregnancy:
- Neck pain or tightness
- Headaches
- Lower back pain
- Pelvic pain
- Pubic symphysis pain
- Radiating pain (Sciatica)
- Tingling in your arms and hands
- Discomfort during sleep
- Difficulties taking a deep breath
- Reflux or indigestion
How can chiropractic care help during your pregnancy?
Pregnant patients often present with one or more of the above symptoms with research showing that 75% of pregnant patients who received chiropractic care found relief in their pain.
During your chiropractic appointment for pregnancy-related back pain, the chiropractor will typically conduct a thorough assessment to understand your specific condition and develop an appropriate treatment plan. Here are a few ways in which chiropractic care may help with back pain during pregnancy:
- Pain relief using gentle spinal adjustments: Chiropractic adjustments can help give relief of pain in the hips, back, neck and joints and help get them moving better.
- Tight muscle release: Your chiropractor, through the use of gentle soft tissue techniques, can help release tight muscles and ligaments through your pelvis, back and neck.
- Improve joint mobility: Pregnancy hormones, such as relaxin, can increase joint laxity and lead to instability. Chiropractic care can help improve joint mobility and reduce any discomfort.
- Preventative care – As your baby grows and your posture changes, some chose to come in for an assessment and adjustment without having symptoms. This can be helpful to ensure your spine and pelvis are adjusting to the postural changes during your pregnancy.
At Progressive Chiropractic Berwick, we utilise a range of gentle techniques to ensure you are comfortable during your appointments. As pregnant women also have large bellies, it makes it very difficult to lay face down on a normal chiropractic table, therefore we also have special tables and cushioning that cradles your bump whilst you get treated.
If you have any questions about how pregnancy chiropractic care could help you, please feel free to discuss it with one of our Chiropractors or send us an email at [email protected]
References
Katonis P, Kampouroglou A, Aggelopoulos A, Kakavelakis K, Lykoudis S, Makrigiannakis A, Alpantaki K. Pregnancy-related low back pain. Hippokratia. 2011 Jul;15(3):205-10. PMID: 22435016; PMCID: PMC3306025
Bernard M, Tuchin P. Chiropractic Management of Pregnancy-Related Lumbopelvic Pain: A Case Study. J Chiropr Med. 2016 Jun;15(2):129-33. doi: 10.1016/j.jcm.2016.04.003. Epub 2016 May 25. PMID: 27330515; PMCID: PMC4913124
Carvalho MECC, Lima LC, de Lira Terceiro CA, Pinto DRL, Silva MN, Cozer GA, Couceiro TCM. Low back pain during pregnancy. Rev Bras Anestesiol. 2017 May-Jun;67(3):266-270. Portuguese. doi: 10.1016/j.bjan.2016.03.002. Epub 2016 May 21. PMID: 27220735
