PREGNANCY & BACK PAIN
The joy of preparing for a new baby is diminished for many women by persistent back pain during pregnancy, causing stress and frustration due to the lack of effective treatment available. For this reason, it is important to know as much as possible about why you may be experiencing back pain as well as effective alternatives to taking pain-reducing drugs.
How common is back pain during pregnancy?
During pregnancy a woman’s body changes dramatically. Pregnancy is a time of constant change in preparation for the new and growing baby. As a future mother, you want to be in the best shape possible for your baby. But being pregnant is more nuanced than that. A balance of allowing your baby to change through the stage of pregnancy. Almost half of all pregnant women experience back pain during pregnancy.
What causes back pain?
There is no single cause to explain back pain during pregnancy, however postural and hormonal changes do contribute to the problem.
Hormones released during pregnancy, particularly oestrogen and progesterone, cause softening and relaxation of the ligaments and joints making them more prone to injury and pain.
What are the symptoms?
Common symptoms can include low back pain, pelvic and pubic joint pain, leg and hip pain and pain in the rib-cage, shoulder girdle, and neck. Headache and migraine, heartburn and numbness in the arms and legs are also common symptoms.
Can it be treated?
A range of techniques suitable for the pregnant woman are used to provide comfort and pain relief. This, along with muscle relaxation techniques, education about the best positions to adopt to support your back, muscle strengthening exercises, sleeping advice and the use of a pelvic support belt if needed, provide excellent support to help you accommodate the changes your body is undergoing.
How can I prevent lower back and pelvic pain?
Posturally, it is vital to keep upright and straight. If you have any known conditions such as back or knee irritation, it is best to lay the ground work for a trip to a specialist . Always inform people who are charge of you about your personal circumstance. Making a few simple everyday changes can help to keep this back pain to a minimum.
It is a common misconception that Chiropractors only treat back and neck conditions. Here are some conditions that Chiropractors encounter every day:
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a disease that affects millions of Americans, and its causes are many. To prevent the loss of bone mass, its’s important to maintain a healthy diet and excercise regularly. Keeping weight under control , getting enough sunlight, and wearing a good pair of supportive shoes can also help optimize bone helth.
Headaches and Migraines
In the UK, headaches are one of the most frequent reasons people seek medical advice. There are over 20 different types of headache, but the most commonly treated are migraine, tension, and cluster.
Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis
Arthritis is a term most people recognise but different mechanisms cause the painful and disabling joint pain. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease and often the result of “wear and tear”. Rheumatoid Arthritis is an auto-immune disease where the body attacks its own tissues – in this case the lining of the joints. In spite of these differences, both conditions may benefit from chiropractic care.
By enabling the joints to move as freely as possible and relaxing the surrounding muscles, the result of treatment is often much less disability and pain.
TMJ Syndrome
It is possible that you are one of the people in the world who have TMJ syndrome. If this is the case then we hope that you take our advice and start taking care of yourself . The condition is common with nine out of ten people having at least one sign or symptom.
