How to Treat Pregnancy Related Back Pain?

As many as 80% of pregnant women experience low back pain especially in their third trimester of the pregnancy.

Physical therapy can help reduce the symptoms of low back pain. Medications, which may potentially harm the fetus, should be avoided. The back pain usually goes away after delivery.

Reasons for back pain during pregnancy

• During pregnancy your body will form Relaxin, a hormone that will allow the joints to become more mobile and loose.
• This hormone is helpful in the delivery process, as it will enable the pelvic bones to shift to make room for the baby to be delivered. Unfortunately this hormone will also allow your normal joints to more easily shift and displace.

Therapies & Precautions

The following therapies will help you reduce your back pain during pregnancy

Electric Stimulation Devices

Lumbar electric stimulation is generally not performed with pregnant woman as you need to be cautious tractioning the low back. See your doctor for more information as to what if any types of traction can work for you.

Traction Devices

Lumbar traction generally not performed with pregnant woman as you need to be cautious tractioning the low back.

Ultrasound

Ultrasound for therapeutic purposes should not be performed over the low back of pregnant woman as you need to be cautious not to direct higher powered sound waves to the fetus.

Ice pack

It can be used in the initial 72 hours of an injury to reduce inflammation and numb the pain associated with Pregnancy spinal instability. One potential problem with ice is that temporarily it will tighten the musculature even more. Also it should be noted that ice should not be used for longer than 20 minutes to an area, as it will cause a reversal reaction which will allow the tissue to become more inflamed

Herbal drugs

Some companies are also using other herbs believed to have natural healing, relaxing and mild anti-inflammatory properties such as MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) and Glucosamine, but most only add trivial amounts.

Glucosamine and MSM are usually taken in oral pill form. Dosages usually range between 1,000-1,500 mg a day. Glucosamine is currently undergoing many trials to determine effectiveness for helping cartilage repair.

Vitamin, Mineral and Herb Supplementation

Certain vitamins and herbs can be used as supplementation for the body's natural healing and defense system.

Vitamin E, Vitamin C, Zinc , Calcium, Copper, Boswellin, Bromelain, Curcumin, Hops, Valerian Root, Kava Kava, MSM and Glucosamine Sulfate.

Nutritional Aid in the Healing Process

Some foods have properties which have been shown to change inflammatory levels. Acidic fruits can mildly block the body's inflammation process, whereas red meat and shellfish increase arachidonic acid, which is known to increase inflammation levels.