Back Pain During Pregnancy – 4 Questions, Answered by a Back Pain Dr in Clifton
October 02, 2021
In addition to nausea, tiredness, and swollen feet, many women also deal with back pain during pregnancy. Studies reveal that more than 60% of pregnant women struggle with back pain, and, most of the time, it affects the lower back.
Back pain can also occur at the middle of the back, known as lumbar pain, or around the tailbone, known as posterior pelvic pain, depending on the weight and position of the fetus.
Back discomfort during pregnancy can be triggered by a variety of factors, including hormonal and postural changes. Causes, symptoms, and methods of treatment differ from woman to woman and can also be dependent on the stage of the pregnancy.
While this type of discomfort rarely evolves into chronic back pain, and most symptoms usually go away after the pregnancy, you should consider seeking medical advice if the symptoms become too difficult to handle.
We know pregnancy can be a challenging time, which is why we asked Dr Laura Lombardi, a board-certified back pain Dr in Clifton to answer a few questions that will help you understand more about coping with back pain during pregnancy.
1. What causes back pain during the first trimester of pregnancy?
During the first trimester of pregnancy, low back pain can be triggered by psychological causes or hormonal changes that prepare your body for motherhood. Let’s discuss these two causes below:
Hormonal changes
Progesterone levels in the body rise significantly throughout the first trimester. This relaxes the muscles and ligaments around the pelvis, affecting joint stability and alignment.
Relaxin is another hormone that aids in the implantation of the egg in the uterine wall and also inhibits contractions in the early weeks of pregnancy. Relaxin encourages the cervix to relax and open in anticipation of birth as labor approaches. This hormone can also lead to excessive muscle relaxation and affect spine alignment, posture, and comfort.
Stress
As mentioned, there is also a psychological factor that can trigger back pain during pregnancy – in most cases, stress. Sure, the birth of a child is something to be happy and excited about, but it is also a period filled with changes and challenges, which brings about new stress factors.
What some people don’t know is that stress has an impact on more than just our mood or psychological condition, but also on our bodies. Physical signs of stress include tiredness, headaches, stiffness, and muscular discomfort. These all appear because, when we are stressed, we tend to clench our bodies and stay tense, which puts a lot of pressure on the muscles, facet joints, and spine.
2. Can other things trigger back pain as the pregnancy progresses?
As pregnancy evolves, the fetus grows and the uterus continues to expand, leading to new types of problems that can create back discomfort. These include postural changes, extra weight that compresses the spine, as well as muscle separation.
Common causes that can lead to back pain during the second and third trimester of pregnancy include:
Leaning backwards
As the baby grows, the mother’s center of gravity shifts towards the front of the body, which can prompt her to lean backwards in order to keep her balance. This puts additional pressure on the back muscles and can lead to pain, as well as muscle stiffness.
Additional weight
Low-back and joint discomfort might be exacerbated by gaining weight during pregnancy and by carrying the weight of the baby as well. While most women gain some extra pounds during their pregnancy, an abrupt change in weight can have a significant influence on her and the baby’s health
Muscle separation
The abdominal muscles are two strands that connect in the middle of the abdomen. These muscles play an important role in stabilizing the spine and supporting the back. As pregnancy evolves, the fetus grows in size and will push against the abdominal muscles. In most cases, this leads to muscle stretch, but some women may experience muscle separation as well.
The abdominal muscles get weaker as they stretch – a woman’s chance of hurting her back or getting low-back discomfort increases as a result of this.
What can I do to relieve pain?
If you talk to other pregnant women, it might seem that back pain is inevitable during these months. However, it does not mean you can’t do anything to relieve pain during these episodes.
Some of the best ways to relieve back pain while pregnant are:
- Regular back stretches
- Sleeping on the side, with one pillow between your knees and another under your belly
- Alternating between sitting and standing to adjust your posture and prevent stiffness
- Using a maternity belt for additional lumbar support
- Placing a lumbar pillow behind your lower back while sitting
- Getting at least eight hours of sleep every night and resting throughout the day
The doctor will avoid prescribing pain medication unless extremely necessary.
Are there any ways to prevent back pain during pregnancy?
Only about one-third of pregnant women are lucky enough not to experience low back pain, and if you want to lower your chances of dealing with this discomfort, you need to take good care of your health.
The following things may help prevent low back pain during pregnancy or at least reduce the severity of the symptoms:
- Living an active life and continuing to exercise during pregnancy
- Maintaining a healthy weight before and during pregnancy
- Wearing comfortable shoes, especially during the second and third trimester
- Avoiding heavy lifting and sudden moves in general
- Keeping a good posture
Just because most women will experience some episodes of back pain during pregnancy, it does not mean you should not seek medical advice when the pain becomes too difficult to handles.
The back pain doctors at our clinic use state-of-the-art medical equipment to diagnose patients and provide minimally invasive treatment options, such as joint injections, meant to help alleviate pain in a fast and easy way. Don’t hesitate to contact our Clifton pain center, on Route 46E, just past the Ford dealership and schedule an appointment with a back pain dr as soon as possible!
Book a Consultation
Scheduling a consultation with one of our pain treatment specialists is one of the best ways to determine the proper solution for pain relief.
Meet Our Team of Back Pain Specialists
All of our Pain Doctors in New Jersey are Harvard Trained and Board Certified in Pain Management
Back Pain Doctor Clifton & West Orange NJ
Dr. George Hanna
Dr. Hanna is a Harvard Trained back specialist in New Jersey and New York. He serves as Medical Director of Pain Management.
Back Pain Doctor Clifton & West Orange NJ
Dr. Laura Lombardi
Dr. Lombardi is a Harvard Trained back pain treatment doctor, currently seeing patients in Clifton and West Orange, New Jersey.
Back Pain Doctor Clifton & West Orange NJ
Dr. Shane Volney
Dr. Volney is a Harvard Trained back treatment doctor seeing patients in the NJ areas of Clifton & West Orange, and in NYC.
Back Pain Doctor Clifton & West Orange NJ
Dr. Michael Nguyen
Dr. Nguyen is Harvard Trained and Board Certified in Pain Management. His pain center accepts major medical insurances and Medicare.
Dr. George Hanna
Dr. Laura Lombardi
Dr. Lombardi is a Harvard Trained back pain treatment doctor, currently seeing patients in Clifton and West Orange, and Paramus New Jersey.
Dr. Shane Volney
Dr. Volney is a Harvard Trained back treatment doctor seeing patients in the NJ areas of Clifton & West Orange, and in NYC.
Dr. Michael Nguyen
Dr. Nguyen is Harvard Trained and Board Certified in Pain Management. His pain center accepts major medical insurances and Medicare.