Pregnancy and Low Back Pain

Congratulations! If you are reading this you are most likely pregnant! Starting a family is amazing and should be celebrated. However the fact you are reading this suggests you are getting some unwanted side-effects from your pregnancy. Do these questions sound familiar?

Is low back pain normal in pregnancy? What about pelvic girdle pain or SPD? Can a chiropractor help me during my pregnancy? Is chiropractic treatment safe during pregnancy?

I hear women asking me these questions on a regular basis. Firstly, back pain during pregnancy is common but not normal. Most women will suffer with some sort of back pain during pregnancy, one of the reasons for this is because of the changes to the spine that occur while carrying your little one. As your bump starts to grow the bend in the bottom of your spine starts to become more pronounced, this happens to keep your centre of gravity ‘centred’ and stops you from toppling over! This change along with the increased weight from your growing baby adds more stress to the sacroiliac joints (where your pelvis attaches to your spine) and the small spinal joints in your low back. You may hear people talk about this as pelvic girdle pain.

‘SPD’ or symphysis pubis dysfunction is a condition related to the pelvis during pregnancy where the small joint at the front of the pelvis moves too much and becomes unstable. This can occur because of the extra weight being carried, the changes in pelvic position, or may be related to the changes that happen to the ligaments during pregnancy. When pregnant a hormone called relaxin is released. This hormone not only helps the softening of the cervix but it also helps to relax the ligaments around the pelvis and hence can effect the strong piece of fibrocartilage that holds the symphysis pubis together. These changes can cause instability of the pelvis which is turn means sharp stabbing pains can be felt right over the bone which can greatly effect walking, rolling over in bed and getting stood up from a seated position.

So can a chiropractic treatment help? Every chiropractic treatment is different dependent on the patient’s condition and needs but it works by getting movement back into the spine, released pressure and tension built up in the muscles and re-stabilising the core.

So is it safe during pregnancy? In short yes. Chiropractic care is safe during pregnancy and has been recognised by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. There are different techniques that can be used and we even have a special pregnancy pillow you can lie on!

If you still have some concerns over your pregnancy related pains please do not hesitate to contact myself at A-Z Chiropractic Clinic Blackpool on 01253 595670.

Dr Amie Bracey MChiro DC LRCC

Doctor of Chiropractic