Pregnancy Back Pain. Why are you vulnerable?

The good news is, your baby is growing. That's exactly what should be happening - but it can still be tough on your back. You've got lots of company - many pregnant women experience back pain, usually starting in the second half of pregnancy.You should know that there are things you can do to minimise your back pain. Causes of Back Pain in Pregnant Women Pregnancy back pain typically happens where the pelvis meets your spine, at the sacroiliac joint or SIJ, in the joints of the lumbar spine or at the joint between the two halves of the pelvic rim known as the pubic symphysis.There are many possible reasons why it happens. Here are some of the more likely causes: Hormone Changes During pregnancy, your body makes a hormone called relaxin that allows ligaments in the pelvic area to relax and thus the joints to become looser in preparation for the birth process. The same hormone can cause ligaments that support the spine to loosen, leading to instability and pain, particularly if prior to pregnancy you had some weakness of the muscles supporting this region. Muscle Separation As the uterus expands, two parallel sheets of muscles (the rectus abdominis muscles or Six pack muscles), which run from the rib cage to the pubic bone, may separate along the center seam. This separation may worsen back pain.  Weight Gain During a healthy pregnancy, women typically gain weight. The spine has to support that weight. That can cause lower back pain. The weight of the growing and uterus also puts pressure on the blood vessels and nerves in the pelvis and back.  Posture Changes Pregnancy shifts your center of gravity. As a result, you may gradually - even without noticing - adjust your posture and the way you move. This may result in back pain or strain. Stress Emotional stress can cause muscle tension in the back, which may be felt as back pain or back spasms. You may find that you experience an increase in back pain during stressful periods of your pregnancy. Treatments for Back Pain in Pregnancy There is good news! Unless you had chronic backaches before you got pregnant, your pain will likely ease gradually before you give birth. Meanwhile, there are many things you can do to treat low back pain or make it rarer and milder: Improve Your Posture Slouching strains your spine. So using proper posture when working, sitting, or sleeping is a good move. For example, sleeping on your side with a pillow between the knees will take stress off your back. When sitting at a desk, place a rolled-up towel behind your back for support; rest your feet on a stack of books or stool and sit up straight, with your shoulders back. Wearing a support belt may also help. Your physiotherapist is the best person to advise you if this is likely to be beneficial for you. Physiotherapy Your physiotherapist is an expert when it comes to assessing and managing your pregnancy related back pain. After a thorough assessment, there is a lot that physiotherapists can do to help you with your pregnancy-related back pain. In most cases they can help you with improving your joint position and control. Your physiotherapist will devise a specialised program tailored to your needs and the stage of your pregnancy. Physiotherapy treatment may include any of the following, depending upon your specific needs: Massage Joint Mobilisation Kinesio taping Heat or Ice Joint mobility and stability exercises Posture education Pregnancy support prescription Yoga or pilates based exercises. Exercise Regular general exercise strengthens muscles and boosts flexibility - which may ease the stress on your spine. Safe exercises for most pregnant women include: Walking Swimming Stationary Cycling It is best to discuss your pre-pregnancy and current exercise regime with your physiotherapist, who can recommend the best exercises for your needs to strengthen your back and abdomen. Maternity Belt Some women benefit from a supportive back brace that is specially design for pregnant women. Ask your physiotherapist if one would be suitable for you. More details are available here: Maternity Belt Heat and Cold Applying heat and cold to your back may help. Be careful not to apply heat to your abdomen during pregnancy. If you need more advice, please consult your obstetrician, doctor or physiotherapist. Contact PhysioWorks or Book Online Pregnancy Back Pain Treatments Immediate Injury Treatment Avoid the HARM Factors What to do after a Muscle Strain or Ligament Sprain Core Stability Exercises Biomechanical Analysis Proprioception & Balance Exercises Medications? Ergonomic Advice Soft Tissue Massage Electrotherapy & Local Modalities Heating Pads Joint Pain Relief Techniques Kinesiology Taping Support Brace Supportive Taping & Strapping TENS Machines Contact PhysioWorks or Book Online Pregnancy Back Pain FAQs What Causes Back Pain? What is Pain? Physiotherapy & Exercise When Should Diagnostic Tests Be Performed? What are the Different Massage Styles and their Benefits? How Does Kinesiology Tape Reduce Swelling? How Does a Swiss Exercise Ball Help to Cure Back Pain? How Much Treatment Will You Need? How to Stretch? What are the Benefits of Good Posture? What are the Common Massage Therapy Techniques? What are the Early Warning Signs of an Injury? What are the Healthiest Sleeping Postures? What are the Signs of an Unsupportive Pillow? What is a Functional Back Stability Score? What is Chronic Pain? What is the Correct Posture Standing? What is the Correct Way to Sit? What Pillow Do Physiotherapists Recommend? What To Do When You Suffer Back Pain. When Can You Return to Sport or Work? Which are the Deep Core Stability Muscles? Why Are Your Deep Core Muscles Important? Why Does Back Pain Recur? Why Does Heat Feel So Good? Contact PhysioWorks or Book Online Helpful Products Online Related Conditions Back Muscle Strain or Ligament Sprain Bulging Disc Core Stability Deficiency Degenerative Disc Disease Facet Joint Syndrome Gluteal Tendinopathy Muscle Pain: Strains or Tears Pinched Nerve Piriformis Syndrome Sacroiliac Joint - SIJ Pain Scheuermann's Disease Sciatica Spinal Stenosis Spondylolisthesis Spondylosis (Spine Arthritis) Trochanteric Bursitis (Hip Bursitis) Sign up for our free newsletter!