Sciatica Specialist in Hackensack Answers 6 Questions About Lower Back Pain During Pregnancy

May 31, 2021

HARVARD TRAINED back PAIN DOCTORS in New jersey

Lower back pain is almost always present during pregnancy, often manifesting as pain that extends into the buttocks and legs. It often appears as a symptom of sciatica, which is nerve pain that extends down the leg from the low back, travelling through the hips and buttocks, usually on one side of the body.

During pregnancy, low back pain can manifest in various ways. It can be a constant, lingering pain, or it can worsen when performing various activities. It can often disrupt sleep and lower the patient’s quality of life. In most cases, symptoms will go away after giving birth, but in some instances, the pain can become chronic and could require minimally invasive treatments such as steroid injections in order to find relief.

Low back pain usually starts to appear in the second trimester, but some patients have reported experiencing it much sooner. If pain persists for more than a few days, it is advised you book an appointment with a pain physician.

Pregnancy is not an easy experience, so it is normal that you have plenty of questions about whether it is normal to experience back pain or not. This is why Dr Laura Lombardi – a renowned sciatica specialist in Hackensack is here to answer some of the most common questions about low back pain during pregnancy.

Should all women expect to experience back pain during pregnancy?

Studies reveal about half of all pregnant women will experience low back pain at some point during their pregnancy or postpartum period. Low back pain can have the minimal intensity or be linked to specific activities, and it can be chronic for some people, meaning the discomfort lasts longer than three months.

Searching for a sciatica specialist in Hackensack? Our Harvard-trained sciatica specialists can help you get rid of your pain with minimally invasive treatment.

In the same studies, we learn one-third of pregnant women experience severe low back pain, which negatively impacts their quality of life, while 10% of the participants say that low back pain interferes with their daily routine and capacity to work.

What are the symptoms I should be looking out for?

The type of symptoms you may experience can vary, and there is no way to know for sure which or how many of the symptoms will be present. Here are some of the most common symptoms our patients usually report:

  • Burning pain or ache in the lower back
  • Difficulty lifting the front half of your foot while walking
  • Pain radiating down the thigh and leg, similar to sciatic pain, often due to lower lumbar nerve impingement.
  • Pain in the lower back during sleep or when lying down, due to pressure from the growing uterus.

What is the cause of back pain during pregnancy?

Lower back pain during pregnancy is thought to have a multitude of reasons, as there are many things that can affect the lower body structure and cause discomfort.

Many of the causes are well-known and occur naturally during pregnancy, especially those related to posture, blood circulation, anatomy, and hormones. Fortunately, low back pain that occurs during pregnancy is rarely acute or life-threatening.

Mechanical instability of the low back, especially in the lumbar spine and pelvis area is one possibility for why some experience lower back pain while pregnant.

During pregnancy, the lumbar spine experiences lordosis, a process by which the spine adapts to the centre of gravity as weight and abdominal size increase. This process puts extra pressure on the lumbar joints, ligaments, muscles, and especially vertebrae discs.

Is the treatment for low back pain different during pregnancy?

Lower back pain in pregnancy is treated differently depending on the stage of pregnancy, the source of the pain, any exacerbating factors, underlying medical disorders like diabetes or high blood pressure, and the severity of symptoms, as well as the impact on quality of life.

To try and determine the most appropriate type of treatment, your doctor will take into consideration factors such as your posture, range of motion, pregnancy stage, type of pain, reflexes, and spine curvature degree.

For a pregnant patient, the treatment will focus on preserving movement and function levels, as well as lowering discomfort. In some cases, it is advised you wait until after the pregnancy to tackle the root cause of the pain, focusing just on pain management in the meantime.

Can I use pain-relieving medication?

To decrease the potential of injury to the developing fetus, any form of medication should be used carefully during pregnancy. Thankfully, there are several options that are safe to be taken throughout pregnancy as well.

In any case, it is always advised you discuss with your doctor before taking any medication during pregnancy, regardless if they are supplements, over-the-counter pain killers, or vitamins.

What can I do to relieve back pain at home?

There are things you can do at home to reduce symptoms of low back pain during pregnancy, but what is or is not recommended in your condition should be decided by your doctor. The type of treatment they may recommend includes:

  • Light exercise and physical therapy: swimming, cycling, walking, and low-impact exercises.
  • Hot and cold therapy: alternate between using hot and cold compresses on the painful area every 20 minutes.
  • Pregnancy support belt: this belt will help improve posture and take some of the pressure off the spine.
  • Sleep improvement: sleeping on one side is best during pregnancy, especially if you are also using a pregnancy pillow between the knee and under the belly, to take pressure off the spine.

If you want to find out more about low back pain during pregnancy, don’t hesitate to contact Pain Treatment Specialists right away. Dr Michael Nguyen, Dr George Hanna, and their team of board-certified doctors are here to help you find the best possible treatment to alleviate pain. You can schedule an appointment with them in  Clifton, NJ, on Route 46 E, past the Ford dealership, in West Orange, near the Essex Country Club, and in Paramus, just off NJ-17, near the Paramus Park Mall and the Garden State Plaza Mall.

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Meet Our Team of Back Pain Specialists

All of our Pain Doctors in New Jersey are Harvard Trained and Board Certified in Pain Management

Dr. George Hanna - Back Pain Treatment Specialist in NJ

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.

Dr. Lombardi - Back pain treatment specialist NJ

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.

Dr. Shane Volney - Back Pain Doctor NJ

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.

Dr M Circle Thumb

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. Hanna

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.
Dr. 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. Hanna

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. Hanna

Dr. Michael Nguyen

Dr. Nguyen is Harvard Trained and Board Certified in Pain Management. His pain center accepts major medical insurances and Medicare.