Published on: 25th October 2022
Medically reviewed by: Medical Director at First Response Healthcare
During pregnancy, the woman’s body undergoes many changes. And these changes are accompanied by issues such as nausea, breathlessness, and back pain during pregnancy. Back Pain during pregnancy is very common and several women have a difficult time coping with the same. However, with physiotherapy for back pain, it is possible to manage the pain and make the pregnancy phase more comfortable for the mother. Before getting into the benefits of pregnancy physio for back pain, let’s look at the various reasons that cause back pain during pregnancy.
What Causes Back Pain During Pregnancy?
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- 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.
- Posture
Changes:
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- 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.
- Weight Gain:
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- 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.
- Hormonal Changes:
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- 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.
- Stress:
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- Muscle Separation:
Because the uterus expands during the 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.
- Muscle Separation:
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.
What Are The Benefits of Physiotherapy For 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:
- 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.
- 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, which puts 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.
- 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 making your muscles strong for the long run.
- Helps Improve Posture:Incorrect posture during pregnancy is one of the causes of 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 will also help improve your posture post-pregnancy, leading to a better and faster recovery after giving birth.
- Helps Loosen Joints:When you opt for physiotherapy for back pain, the physiotherapists will target certain ligaments and joints to help reduce 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 give you more strength to be more functional in the long run.
- Learn Stretching Exercises:The best part of physiotherapy for back pain is that the exercises you learn during pregnancy can be used in the years ahead to help ease pain and 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 realize the difference they make.
- 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 address your problem areas during the pregnancy phase.
- 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 has an impact on both your physical and emotional well-being.
- 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. Women who already have back problems are at a 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.
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