Pregnancy Back Pain

Pregnancy back pain is a common problem during pregnancy and more than 50% pregnant women suffering from it. There are several physical reasons for back pain in pregnancy, some of which include: Pregnancy hormones soften ligaments causing joints to move more than usual an in some cases the ligaments can be strained. Postural problems caused by the rising uterus. Position of baby (particularly towards the end of pregnancy) can compress stress and cause back pain. A small percentage of women will suffer from backache during pregnancy.

This is where irritation or pressure from the back causes the sciatic nerve to become painful. Many times, the function of the nerve can become impaired resulting in weakness or pins and needles. Sciatica can be present with or without back pain and can send pain down the back of your leg. Contrary to popular opinion, sciatica isn’t caused by the baby pressing on a nerve. The chances are that if you have sciatica, it would have come on whether you pregnant or not.
Pregnancy Back Pain

And the second type of pain is pelvic girdle pain (PGP). Most women who need to seek out help because of back pain in pregnancy actually have this type of pain. PGP generally arises as a result of the pregnancy and needs to be managed very differently to back pain. Standard treatments for back pain can be useless for PGP and can even make the pain worse. The most important analysis for curing pregnancy back pain is exercising. Walking, bridging (on the floor with knees bent and lifting the buttocks into air), pelvic rock, mini-crunches with bent knees and lifting the head on exhalation are good exercises for pregnant women and can go a long way in relieving Back Pain. The right attitude and good body mechanics also play an important role in keeping one free of back pain. Good posture is a useful remedy for pregnancy back pain during early pregnancy and one should avoid slouching. The use of a lumbar cushion or pillow can help one to avoid slouching and maintaining a proper posture. Back pain during pregnancy can also be reduced by right muscular exercises.

The following ideas below could also helpful. Try massage: Massage to the lower back can often help tired, painful muscles and try leaning forward over the back of a chair or lying on your side. Your partner can gently massage the muscles that run either side of your spine or focus on your lower back. A trained massage therapist, your midwife or your physiotherapist may be able to help you more. Heat and water: A hot pack, A warm bath or a warm jet of water from a shower head can all help with back pain. Use a support belt: A physiotherapist may suggest a support belt to take some of the weight of your baby off your tummy muscles and back. Try a support pillow in bed: Sleeping on your side with a wedge shaped pillow placed under your tummy has been shown to ease back pain.

A pregnant woman can avoid pregnancy back pain by avoiding standing for longer periods and often changing her sitting position. Enough rest and sleep are also essential for avoiding or eliminating back pain in early pregnancy. A pregnant woman must wear low-heeled shoes with proper arch support to avoid strain on her back. The use of a short stool for resting feet while sitting or standing for long periods can also help in avoiding back pain.