Perhaps the most common complaint during any pregnancy is back pain, particularly lower back pain. Most women who give birth experience some form of back pain during their pregnancy. And it comes as no surprise. A pregnant woman is required to carry and support a lot more weight than her body is accustomed to. In this post we will dive into the causes of back pain during pregnancy and how it can be avoided and treated.

Back Pain During Pregnancy

Most often, back pain during pregnancy is rooted in the sacroiliac joint in the pelvis at the base of the spinal column. As the pregnant woman comes to term the ligaments surrounding these joints begin to loosen in preparation for the birth. This allows the child to pass more easily through the birth canal, but the loosened ligaments can lead to instability in the region and, ultimately pain.

The added weight that a woman must bear during pregnancy puts excess pressure on the lumbar spine as well, which can lead to issues with the vertebra, ligaments, and nerves.

How to Prevent & Treat Back Pain During Pregnancy

There are a number of treatment options for pregnant women with back pain. Generally the pain will subside after the birth, but if the pain continues or becomes too much to bear during the term, there are a number of methods that may help. Excessive use of pain medications should generally be avoided during pregnancy, so treatments are geared more towards physical therapy and chiropractic techniques. After the birth, pain medication and injections may be considered to reduce the amount of pain.

If you are experiencing back pain that impacts your daily routine during or after your pregnancy, talk to your doctor about forming a treatment plan.

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