What you should know for pregnancy and back pain
Introduction
Back pain is common during pregnancy, but it's not always a sign of a problem. Pregnancy can put pressure on the joints between your vertebrae and cause pain in your lower back. The good news? Your body adapts to this extra weight during pregnancy, so after delivery—and with a few simple exercise tips—you should be able to return to your normal self.
Back pain during pregnancy is more common than you think.
One of the most common complaints that women have during pregnancy is lower back pain. Back pain is also one of the most common reasons why women seek medical attention during pregnancy.
Back pain can occur at any point during your pregnancy, but it's more likely to start in your second trimester and continue throughout until you give birth. If you're suffering from frequent or intense back pains, talk with your healthcare provider about ways to manage them so that they don't interfere with enjoying your pregnancy as much as possible!
There are many factors that cause back pain during pregnancy.
There are many factors that cause back pain during pregnancy.
The weight of the baby: When you're pregnant, your body is carrying more weight than normal, which puts pressure on your lower back.
Extra fluid in the body: During pregnancy, a woman's body produces extra fluids—some of which go into her bloodstream, and some make their way into her tissues. This excess fluid can increase pressure on joints and surrounding muscles, leading to discomfort in these areas.
Extra weight that is carried by the hips: There's an increased load on your hips as you carry around not only a growing baby but also an enlarged uterus (the organ where a fetus develops). The bigger this organ gets, the more stress it puts on the muscles around it; if left unchecked for too long without relieving tension properly through exercise or massage therapy sessions with licensed professionals like chiropractors or massage therapists who have an interest in prenatal care services then these muscles may become overused while still being underdeveloped due to lack of activity so they're more likely break down faster than usual causing more problems with every step taken."
The causes of your back pain can vary by trimester.
The causes for back pain during pregnancy can vary by trimester.
In the first trimester, you may feel mild to moderate discomfort from ligament laxity. This usually goes away on its own and doesn't require treatment.
In the second trimester, you may find yourself slouching more due to increased weight or poor posture from balancing a growing belly. The extra weight on your abdomen can also cause aches and pains in this region of your body as it presses down against your spine and pelvis, especially because there's not much room left after that baby bump has plumped up!
If you have an uncomplicated pregnancy with no other complications besides pregnancy related ones, then this is when they normally become most painful but don't worry there are ways around this too!
Physical therapy and chiropractic treatment can help alleviate back pain.
Physical therapy and chiropractic treatments can help alleviate back pain. These treatments are designed to correct the alignment of your spine and get you back on track. If you have been experiencing an excessive amount of pain, physical therapists can work with you to start getting your body moving in a more normal way again. Chiropractors have similar goals but use different methods than physical therapists. Both types of treatment should be used together if possible!
Back pain can be treated with simple measures at home.
It can be tempting to reach for a bottle of ibuprofen or heat pack when you experience back pain. However, there are many things you can do at home to reduce the severity and frequency of your pregnancy back pain.
Heat or ice: Use heat first, then ice if the pain persists.
Relaxation exercises: Yoga and tai chi are both good options for this. Just don't overdo it!
Sleep on your side with a pillow between your knees to alleviate strain on your spine.
Avoid sitting for long periods of time (like at work), standing with poor posture, heavy lifting, and carrying heavy bags over one shoulder only.
You don't have to go through pregnancy in constant back pain.
If you're pregnant, there are a few things that can help keep your back pain at bay. For example, regular light exercise is an important part of keeping your body in good shape—and staying active will help make sure you don't get stuck with too much weight on your belly (always speak to your trusted healthcare practitioner before starting). But even if you don't have time for regular exercise during pregnancy (or your doctor recommends against it), there are other simple measures that may help ease some of the strain:
Sit up straight and try not to slouch when sitting or standing for long periods of time; this will prevent unnecessary pressure on the spine, which could cause pain later on.
Use a pillow behind your back when sitting up in bed or working at a desk; this helps take pressure off areas where muscles would otherwise weaken over time as they try to compensate for poor posture habits like slouching or leaning forward while walking around every day without paying attention - which can cause injuries down the line after giving birth!
Conclusion
Back pain is a common symptom during pregnancy. It's not always serious, but it can be really uncomfortable for mums-to-be. If you're suffering from back pain, you may find some relief in these tips and tricks for staying active and comfortable throughout your pregnancy!
