Pregnancy and back pain Tips
Read these 41 Pregnancy and back pain Tips tips to make your life smarter, better, faster and wiser. Each tip is approved by our Editors and created by expert writers so great we call them Gurus. LifeTips is the place to go when you need to know about Backpain tips and hundreds of other topics.
McKenzie Method
The ideal time for a woman to learn the McKenzie Method exercises is early in the pregnancy. In this way, much of the suffering associated with low back pain during pregnancy can be minimized or avoided. However, the McKenzie Method can effectively address low back symptoms and their progression at any time during and after pregnancy.
Getting out of bed
To avoid strain on the ligaments, when you get out of bed, first roll to one side and use your arms to push your body into a sitting position; then sit for a moment before standing.
Buttock points for labor pain
This point is in a direct horizontal line from the top of the buttock crease. If you press along this line there will be a tender point approximately two thirds of the distance between the buttock crease and the hip bone.
This point can also be combined with massage.
Third trimester
During third trimester, a weight of baby is forcing pregnant woman to lean backward. That, and ligaments laxity cause extreme pressure on muscles, weakness of spine and pain.
Kegel
Kegel exercises are designed to strengthen the perineal muscles in the lower pelvic floor.
Once you have located the muscles simply tighten and relax the mucsle over and over.
You can also check yourself by placing a finger in your vagina and squeezing the muscle around it.
Try to keep everything else relaxed.
Breathe slowly and deeply.
Abdominal straps
Among the other kinds of therapy you may try abdominal straps. There are abdominal support straps that help support the pregnant uterus. These may help you move more freely.
Pregnancy pain relief exercise I
This is one exercise which relieves low back discomfort during pregnancy.
Sit upright on chair;
relax abdomen and inhale;
exhale tightening your deep abdominal muscle and rolling back slightly onto your tailbone so that your lumbar spine can make the C shape;
relax your chest and shoulders;
inhale and return to upright.
Do 10 of these a couple of times a day.
Pregnancy pain relief exercise II
Lie on your back with your arms at your sides. Keep both knees bent and the foots flat on the ground. Gently press you lower back against floor and raise your pelvis. Tighten your abdominal and buttocks muscles. Hold for 6 seconds, and then slowly relax.
Repeat 10 times.
Stretches
If you have pain in your lower back try this stretches.
Lie on your back and pull your knees up towards your shoulders. Hold for a slow count of 15.
Keep your knees slightly apart.
If the pain is one-sided, just pull your knee towards the shoulder of the affected side and leave the other leg straight.
Maternity support belt
Before using support belt take advice from you doctor or physical therapist and wear it if it is necessary. It could give your back added support, but in the same time can make your muscles weaker. Wear it when you are walking and standing for long periods.
Furthermore, don't forget to use your muscles, and keep posture even if you wear belt.
Night pain
Avoid sleeping on your back during pregnancy.
Circulatory changes caused by compression of enlarging fetus on the inferior vena cava, during pregnancy may also contribute to low-back pain at night.
Also, a side-lying position is a safer position for your baby, especially after the third month.
Massage
If you wonder what can help your body (and lower back) to recover after the delivery, one solution could be massage. Postpartum massage focuses on helping to restore the woman's body to its pre-pregnancy condition. It could restore abdominal muscle wall and the uterus, it helps to realign the spine, and tones the over-stretched areas of skin over the belly.
Contraindications for exercises
Take advice from your doctor whether or not to exercise and how much to do.
There are certain conditions such as pregnancy-induced hypertension, placenta problems, or preterm labor during a prior pregnancy that may make exercise during pregnancy risky.
Proper posture
Proper posture is most important in back pain prevention. Pregnant women should be instructed to perform all activities in the neutral spine position.
Stress reduction
Try to use some stress reduction techniques like daily exercise, meditation, soothing baths and relaxation exercises. It can help with your back pain.
Walking
If you wonder how-to get your body back after the baby, it's probably best to start with walking. Walking is a gentle form of exercise that you can start almost immediately after either a vaginal or cesarean delivery. It is good for back pain and is fun especially with your newborn baby in the stroller!
Acupressure Technique
Acupressure techniques are easy to use, they can be used at the beginning of labour by the support people, and they have consistent effects.
Knee-chest position
Whenever you can, put yourself into the knee-chest position to get the baby out of the pelvis and off of your pelvic nerves may make you more comfortable.
Lumbar pain
Lumbar pain during pregnancy can stem from multiple sites, most commonly the facet joints, paraspinal muscles, supporting ligaments, or discogenic sources.
Pelvic Pain
Pain in the pelvic region (peripartum pelvic pain), may start during pregnancy, or within three weeks of delivery.
Pain tends to be influenced by posture and is associated with a waddling gait.
Basic measures
Avoid excessive weight gain, exercise to strengthen the back muscles, maintain correct posture, and wear flat heeled shoes that offer good support.
Nocturnal pain
There are many theories about why night pain develops. One theory is that muscle fatigue accumulates throughout the day and culminates in back pain at night. Another is that biomechanical stress from sacroiliac dysfunction produces symptoms in the evening. Circulatory changes during pregnancy may also contribute to low-back pain at night.
Medications
Acetaminophen may help relieve the pain. When pain is extremely severe, certain narcotics (codeine) may be appropriate. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are contraindicated during pregnancy. But take medications cautiously.
Extended standing
Standing for long periods can increase any swelling in the ankles and cause back pain.
Ice and heat
If you have muscle strain, to reduce it apply ice and heat packs alternately for 10 to 15 minutes to your back.
On this site you can find how to make ice and hot pacs.
http://www.backpain-tips.com/SubCatPage.asp?SubCatId=63452
Hormones
The hormone relaxin, which allows pelvic expansion to accommodate the enlarging uterus, increases tenfold, reaching its peak at the 14th week.
Joint laxity is most notable in the lumbar spine and the sacroiliac joints.
As static supports in the lumbar spine become more lax the pain from the facet joints may increase.
High-heeled shoes
My ladies, forget high-heeled shoes for a while!
They can cause you a pain.
Pregnant women should avoid wearing high-heeled shoes that accentuate lumbar lordosis and increase shearing stress on the lower back and sacrum.
Sacroiliac pain
In the pelvis, joint laxity is most prominent in the symphysis pubis and the sacroiliac joints. The symphysis pubis widens throughout pregnancy. With widening comes the possibility of vertical displacement of the pubis and rotatory stress on the sacroiliac joints.
Contraindications
Pregnant women with back pain should avoid: whirlpool treatment, joint manipulation procedures, low-impulse and high-exercise procedures.
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