How To Manage Lower Back Pain During Pregnancy
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As a woman, you get to experience first-hand the miracle of creating and nurturing life. It’s a special gift that most women are in awe of…right up until the aches, pains, and swelling that accompany pregnancy start to set in. And as your belly grows, it’s only natural that your back would start to ache. This can not only leave you feeling uncomfortable no matter what position you’re in, but it can also cause a higher degree of difficulty when performing simple, everyday tasks from walking, to dressing, to cooking a meal. In other words, you’d probably rather forego the lower back pain common to pregnancy if at all possible. While you may not be able to avoid it entirely, there are definitely ways to combat it. Here are a few to try.
A good place to start is with a healthy back and spine. You’ll want to speak to your doctor about an appropriate regimen to support back and body health during your pregnancy (one that has minimal risk for your growing fetus). It will probably include plenty of stretching and even some low-impact exercise designed to keep your body strong and fit while your baby develops. Many expectant mothers continue to practice their regular exercise regimen while pregnant, at least for a while. But you should also consider exercises designed specifically for pregnant women, such as pregnancy yoga or classes that are conducted in water to alleviate the stresses of added weight, while adding resistance to every movement.
Of course, exercise and stretching might not be enough at some point. Luckily, there are plenty of other resources to help you when you’re suffering from lower back pain during pregnancy. You could, for example, seek out the services of a masseuse that is trained to perform pregnancy massage. You might also consider getting help from a chiropractor. Acupuncture or acupressure treatments are another option to consider. All of these types of treatments are generally considered safe during pregnancy (provided you see a qualified and experienced practitioner), but if you’re concerned you can always speak to your primary doctor or OB/GYN for recommendations and referrals.
Home remedies like applying hot and cold compresses can provide instant relief in some cases, but if you’re experiencing intense and/or ongoing lower back pain, you could have a more serious problem on your hands. It’s possible that you have a back injury or that you’ve exacerbated an old injury. In this case, you might need to visit a specialist, such as a physical therapist. Or you could seek help from a pain management facility like Integrated Health Solutions, if you prefer. Either way, it’s important to figure out what is causing your pain so that you can begin to treat it.
The first step should always be to consult with a trusted physician or other health care provider. It could just be that the added weight of pregnancy is putting stress on your lower back. But if the problem stems from something more serious, you need to know so that you can avoid further injury, protect yourself and your baby, and get the right treatment to heal. You want to be in perfect health throughout your pregnancy and into labor and delivery so that you can bring a healthy, happy baby into the world without suffering too much in the process.
