Understanding Pregnancy and Back Pain

For many women, pregnancy and back pain go hand in hand. While the most obvious cause of spine pain during pregnancy is that your lumbar spine is forced to support extra weight, there are a variety of other reasons that soreness may ensue during those nine months. As the uterus gradually expands, spinal nerves can become compressed and your abdominal muscles are less able to help your spine support all of that weight. Hormonal changes also decrease joint stability and your body’s center of gravity shifts, which means your normal posture may no longer be the healthiest for your spine.

How to Relieve Your Back Pain During Pregnancy

While back pain during pregnancy may be unpleasant, there are a variety of ways that you can help to relieve the discomfort, including:

• Don’t start slouching just because you’re supporting more anterior weight.
• Don’t stand for long periods of time.
• Always wear comfortable, supportive shoes.
• Sleep on your side with a pillow between your knees to promote a neutral spine position.

Maintaining a Healthy Spine After You Give Birth

Some women continue to experience lower back pain after giving birth, which may be due to compression on a spinal nerve that occurred during labor or in the case of an epidural injection. If this is the case, talk to your doctor about a conservative treatment regimen that includes hot/cold therapy, gentle stretching, low-impact exercise, and physical therapy, among other options.