Physiotherapy Benefits for Back Pain During Pregnancy

Prenatal Back pain originates from the sacroiliac joint. This is the joint where the pelvis meets the spine. Following are the reasons for why pregnant women experience back pain:

Posture Changes

During pregnancy, the women’s center of gravity changes and this leads to a change in posture, which then causes strain to the back muscles leading to pain.

Weight Gain

During pregnancy, women tend to gain weight. Women tend to put on 12-18 kgs. Because of the growing baby and uterus, and the increased weight, it increases the pressure on the lower back thus causing pain and discomfort.

Hormonal Changes

During pregnancy, the woman’s body releases hormones to help stretch the ligaments and joints in order to prepare for childbirth. Because of this, the ligaments that support the spine become loose and this tends to cause prenatal back pain.

Stress

Stress also causes back pain and pain in other parts of the body. Stress levels are generally high for pregnant women since they are experiencing a lot of changes physically, mentally and emotionally. And so, stress too tends to cause back pain during pregnancy.

Muscle Separation

Because the uterus expands pregnancy period, muscle separation takes place between the sheets of muscles starting from the rib cage to the pubic bone. This is also one of the causes of back pain during pregnancy. Dealing with this pain every day and carrying on one’s regular routine can be hard. Taking painkillers during pregnancy is not advisable since it can lead to complications. Physiotherapy and exercise are the easiest and most effective ways of managing back pain during pregnancy.

Pregnancy physio has a lot of benefits. Physiotherapy can not just help you manage pain in the back or other areas but it can also help make your body a lot more prepared and fit for childbirth. Here are the benefits of physiotherapy for back pain:

1. Non-Invasive & Sustainable

Physiotherapy is a non-invasive technique of soothing back pain. Through physiotherapy for back pain, you will learn exercises and pain relief methods that will help your muscles relax and will reduce the pain. The physiotherapist will use a variety of techniques and exercises to help your body and back feel more relaxed and flexible during pregnancy.

2. Reduces Incontinence

Pregnant women face the issues of incontinence in both prenatal and postnatal phases. Incontinence occurs during pregnancy as a result of weakened pelvic floor muscles and increased blood flow, because of which there is pressure on the pregnant woman’s kidneys. Physiotherapy for the lower back can help with the issue of incontinence. Through physiotherapy, the physiotherapist will work on strengthening your pelvic floor muscles. The physiotherapist will teach you specific muscle exercises that will help you post pregnancy and in recovery as well.

3. Improves Flexibility

The goal of physiotherapy is to improve your muscle strength and flexibility. The physiotherapist will take you through guided muscle strength exercises that will not just offer you relief from the pain but will also prepare your body for childbirth. Physiotherapy for back pain will focus on relieving the pressure from your back and make your muscles strong for the long run.

4. Helps Improve Posture

Incorrect posture during pregnancy is one of the causes for back pain among pregnant women. To help correct this, the physiotherapist will show you exercises and guide you through the correct posture to follow when you’re pregnant. Prenatal exercises for posture correction will not just reduce the pain but it will also help improve your posture post-pregnancy. Thus, leading to a better and faster recovery post giving birth.

5. Helps Loosen Joints

When you opt for physiotherapy for back pain, the physiotherapists will target certain ligaments and joints and help reduce the stiffness. Through physiotherapy, you will learn exercises that will enhance the range of motion of your joints and improve your overall flexibility. This will help reduce back pain and will also give you more strength to be more functional in the long run.

6. Learn Stretching Exercises

The best part of physiotherapy for back pain is that the exercises that you learn during pregnancy, you can use them in the years going ahead to help ease the pain and to keep your muscles strong. For example, the physiotherapist will teach you simple stretching exercises that take only 5-7 minutes to do but are super effective and helpful. Even post pregnancy you can continue doing these exercises and you’ll realize the difference that they make.

7. Individualized Exercise Plan

Staying active and mobile during pregnancy is important to ensure proper blood circulation and to maintain your overall health. With physiotherapy, you can avail a customized and individualized exercise plan that is designed specifically for you. The physiotherapist will create a training plan not just for your back pain but will also include and exclude exercises for your problem areas during the pregnancy phase.

8. Release Of Endorphins

Because physiotherapy for back pain is based on exercises and movement, it releases endorphins in the body. Endorphins naturally help relieve pain and they also help manage your levels of stress and put you in a better mood. Thus, physiotherapy for back pain not just has an impact on your physical wellness but also on your emotional and mental wellness.

9. Avoid Chronic Pain

Lower back pain for pregnant women tends to occur most between the fifth and seventh month, but it can also start between eight to twelve weeks itself. Women who already have back problems are at the higher risk of back pain during pregnancy. Moreover, women with less back pain in one pregnancy are at greater risk of higher back pain postpartum and in subsequent pregnancies. Undergoing physiotherapy during pregnancy can ensure that the pain does not turn into a chronic condition.

If you are looking to start prenatal or post-natal physiotherapy for back pain, going for home physiotherapy is the safest and most convenient option. Physiotherapy for back pain at home can ensure that you do not need to travel for your physiotherapy sessions and that you’re not at the risk of catching infections at physiotherapy centers or hospitals. First Response Healthcare (FRH) is a leading home healthcare company in Dubai that offers a range of healthcare services right in your own home, including physiotherapy. FRH has a team of highly trained and experienced physiotherapists, who offer their services 24*7, even on weekends and public holidays. FRH has received the Gold Seal of Approval for meeting the Joint Commission International Standards for its quality services. Through our ‘Physiotherapy on Call’ service, you can access in-home physiotherapy at a place of your choice, located anywhere within the Emirate of Dubai. Based on your convenience, our physiotherapists can visit you at your home, hotel, or office.

The physiotherapy plans that FRH offers includes the following:

• Strength Training
• Balance Training
• Soft Tissue Mobilization and Exercises
• Muscle Imbalance Correction
• Posture Correction
• Neuro-developmental Therapy

Here’s What Makes FRH Stand Out:

• Flexible Appointments: