Pregnancy and Back Pain
Did you know?
50% of pregnant women experience back pain, with 10% reporting severe discomfort that prevents them from carrying out their daily activities.
What causes the back pain?
The weight gain during pregnancy places added stress on your back, knees, ankles, and feet. As the baby grows and your uterus expands, your center of gravity shifts forward. This stretches out and weakens your abdominal muscles, changing your posture and putting strain on your lower back. In addition, the extra weight you’re carrying means more work for your muscles and increased stress on your joints, which is why your back may feel worse at the end of the day.
Did you know?
In a study of 170 Canadian women with pregnancy-related back pain, 72% reported back pain during labour. However, the women who received chiropractic care, reported less pain during both pregnancy and labour.
How do I reduce the pain?
A chiropractor can provide safe, effective, and drug-free care to relieve pain by decreasing the pressure on the joints, muscles, and nerves of the spine and pelvis.
Low impact cardiovascular activities, like swimming and walking, can help relieve pain and maintain fitness. Strengthening exercises to help build the muscles that support your back and legs, including your abdominal muscles can help relieve pain. *Always consult a health care practitioner before participating in a new exercise regimen.
Wear comfortable shoes with adequate support. Avoid high heels!
Stand up straight and do not sit or stand for too long.
Always bend at the knees when lifting something.
Get a good night’s rest and try sleeping on your left side. Lying on your left side has been shown to reduce the weight of the uterus on large vessels in your abdomen, allowing for optimal blood flow to both mother and baby.