About Pregnancy-Related Back Pain
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:
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?
