Back pain and Pregnancy
Some expectant mothers experience aches and pains throughout (and sometimes after) their pregnancy, but stoically put up with it thinking it is normal.
It’s important to remember pregnancy is not a disease! There is quite often an answer to the symptoms of pain and discomfort you may be experiencing. Osteopathy is a safe and effective way of treating symptoms throughout pregnancy as we can modify our techniques to whatever stage you’re at.
So what causes symptoms in pregnancy?
There are three main causes of discomfort in expectant mothers;
1 – Changes in Structure and Biomechanics:
The shape of the body changes dramatically during pregnancy. The backward curve of the low back (lumbar lordosis) increases as the weight of the growing baby pulls the mothers centre of gravity forwards. This changes how weight is distributed through the spine, putting more stress through the spinal joints and intervertebral discs causing joint and muscle pain. This is one of the main causes of back pain in pregnancy.
Another common problem is Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (SPD) where the mother feels pain in the groin and movement of the pubic bones. This is because of changes to the structures making space for the growing baby. It puts stress on the joints at the back and front of the pelvis. This pain is often aggravated when weight is put through one leg at a time, for instance with walking up and down stairs. The success of treatment for SPD varies on the stage of pregnancy; it can be helped with specific exercises and gentle treatment to help balance the pelvis, however the further into the pregnancy the expectant mother is, the shorter the period of relief after treatment. If you are expecting, and you start to experience groin pain with walking, get it treated sooner rather than later.
2 – Change in Circulation and Organ Function:
The shape of the body changes dramatically during pregnancy. The backward curve of the low back (lumbar lordosis) increases as the weight of the growing baby pulls the mothers centre of gravity forwards. This changes how weight is distributed through the spine, putting more stress through the spinal joints and intervertebral discs causing joint and muscle pain. This is one of the main causes of back pain in pregnancy.
Another common problem is Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (SPD) where the mother feels pain in the groin and movement of the pubic bones. This is because of changes to the structures making space for the growing baby. It puts stress on the joints at the back and front of the pelvis. This pain is often aggravated when weight is put through one leg at a time, for instance with walking up and down stairs. The success of treatment for SPD varies on the stage of pregnancy; it can be helped with specific exercises and gentle treatment to help balance the pelvis, however the further into the pregnancy the expectant mother is, the shorter the period of relief after treatment. If you are expecting, and you start to experience groin pain with walking, get it treated sooner rather than later.
3 – Hormonal Changes:
Hormonal changes play a large role in pregnancy as they help prepare the mother’s body for the birth. One important hormone which osteopaths consider is called Relaxin, it triggers the loosening of the connective tissue in the body, particularly the ligaments in the pelvis. It is this loosening of the joints which can often lead to groin, buttock and lower back pain both during the pregnancy and for some time after the birth. Relaxin is also produced if the mother is breastfeeding which means that aches and pains may persist after the birth.
What can be done?
People sometimes express apprehension in coming for treatment during pregnancy. Feeling hesitant to seek physical therapy is natural. Rest assured that at The Courtyard Clinic we have lots of experience and have seen many mothers throughout their pregnancy and beyond. Our osteopaths will take an extensive medical and personal history before they start any treatment to ensure its suitability and talk you through every stage, working with you and your body.