How to Get Rid of Back Pain During Pregnancy?

If you are a resident of Chennai and experience back pain during pregnancy, it is highly advised to seek urgent medical attention. Generally, right posture, some exercise routine and changes in the

daily routine should be enough. However, if you have any concerns, it is better to seek help as quickly as possible to prevent anything unusual and unnecessary from happening. You must seek the best doctor for back pain treatment in Chennai.

Before jumping into tips to get rid of back pain during pregnancy find out in-depth about back pain causes, back pain types during pregnancy, treatment and much more.

Pregnancy and Low Back Pain Causes

Pregnancy is divided into first, second and third trimesters. And there are different factors that can cause pregnancy pain during this period. The most common factors are discussed below.

Uterus Growth

The uterus of a pregnant woman expands throughout the period of pregnancy. This leads to a shift in the centre of gravity and stretches the muscle in the abdomen causing back strain and affecting body posture. Plus, it can cause back pain if it compresses a nerve.

Weight Gain

Pregnancy leads to weight gain. A healthy weight is important for the general health of a pregnant woman as well as the baby inside her. But weight gain directly puts pressure on different parts of the body. It also makes the muscles and joints work more. It also results in low back pain and joint pain.

Hormonal Changes

There are two hormones at play during pregnancy namely; Progesterone and Relaxing. The progesterone hormone levels increase rapidly in pregnant women during the first trimester. It plays the role of relaxing the muscles and ligaments near the pelvis. However, it affects the stability of joints causing pain.

Relaxing helps in preventing contractions during pregnancy and stimulates the cervix and relaxes ligaments and joints which in turn help in the preparation for delivery of the child. The hormonal changes however cause instability, shifting of posture and low back pain in pregnant women.

Stress

Being pregnant is an exciting moment in life which without doubt brings along with it a lot of stress as well. It affects pregnant women in different ways and may manifest through physical symptoms such as headache, weakness and muscle pain.

Types of Back Pain in Pregnancy

Pregnancy causes low back pain, more specifically posterior pelvic pain and lumbar pain. It can also radiate and reach the buttock, thigh and legs interfering with sleep and causing stress.

Posterior Pelvic Pain

This is the most common type of pain experienced in the back of the pelvis on the sides of the buttocks or thighs. It is generally caused by routine activities such as walking, getting to bed, lifting and climbing. Moreover, other positions such as sitting on a chair, bending, twisting and leaning forward can make posterior pelvic pain worse.

Lumbar Back Pain

This type of pain is felt around the lumbar vertebrae of the lower back and is similar to posterior pelvic pain. It mainly occurs around the spine precisely at the waist and can radiate down towards the legs while sitting or standing.

Thigh Pain

Thigh pain happens during pregnancy when a specific nerve by the name of lateral femoral cutaneous is compressed, pulled or loss of blood supply occurs. This leads to a condition called meralgia causing symptoms such as burning pain, cold feeling, and buzzing in the thigh.

Sciatica

The pain that radiates towards the legs and thighs is many times confused with Sciatica, which is a rare condition and affects only 1% of pregnant women. It occurs due to the bulging of the disk in the lower part of the spine that compresses nerve roots. In sciatica, excessive leg pain is the main symptom.

If you experience any uncommon pain in your back or spine, consult the best spine and pain specialist in Chennai immediately. Dr. Vignesh Pushparaj is one of the leading and trusted spine specialists who have many years of experience in the field. His treatment approach has helped a countless number of patients suffering from spine ailments in Chennai for more than a decade now. He is also regarded as one of the best orthopaedic spine surgeons in Chennai. For more details, contact us today.

Tips to Get Rid of Pain

With all the changes happening around your body due to pregnancy back pain isn’t a surprise. But you can ease the back pain or get rid of it by following some tips. Find them below.

Posture

Practising good posture while pregnant can help reduce back pain. Standing up straight, holding the chest high, keeping shoulders relaxed and not locking the knees are some good posture techniques you can follow for best results.

Choose a chair which helps you to relax better. In addition, take regular breaks if you have to do work standing for a long time. If necessary, use additional support for activities and maintain the right posture.

Sleeping on Side

Doctors recommend that pregnant women should sleep on their side rather than on their back. Keeping one knee or both knees bent is also helpful. You can also look to use pillows as support for the back, between knees and abdomen.

Relaxation Techniques

Different relaxation techniques such as meditation and yoga can also relieve stress related to pregnancy eventually reducing and managing low back pain and other pain types. Massage and physical therapy may also help.

Swimming

Swimming is a great exercise which helps pregnant women by strengthening their lower back and abdominal muscles. This will further help in reducing the intensity of back pain during pregnancy.

Walking

Walking is a simple activity which can be considered part of your daily exercise routine. It is also a safe and low-impact method to keep you fit and manages back pain.

If you experience back pain for more than two weeks, doctors recommend seeking the help of the best pain management specialist in Chennai. The medical approach including medicines and therapies might be suggested for treatment.

Dr. Vignesh Pushparaj is one of the leading and best spine surgeon in Chennai. For details regarding appointments, treatment approach and procedures, contact us today!