Being pregnant is a fantastic adventure. While on this journey, your body endures many physical changes as your baby grows. Sometimes these changes lead to you feeling pain and soreness in your hips and lower back as you get closer to your due date. Here’s some information to help you better understand why you feel the way you do and how you can feel more comfortable while you’re pregnant.
Understanding Pelvic and Back Pain in Pregnancy
Three joints come together to create your pelvis, which isat the bottom of your spine. Many changes happen to these joints when you’re pregnant, and this area can feel stiff, achy, and uncomfortable. Sometimes the pelvic pain radiates to your thighs, lower back and hips. The discomfort affects up to 70% of all pregnant women and often interferes with daily activities such as walking, standing up and sitting. While the irritation usually goes away within the first six months after childbirth, it’s possible to ease the hurt much sooner if you seek treatment.
The Causes of Discomfort
You may be wondering why this aching occurs during pregnancy. It’s no shock that your body goes through many changes during this experience. Some reasons you feel pelvic and back pain pregnant are:
- You have an increased blood volume and constantly fluctuating hormones that cause your joints and ligaments to relax.
- As your baby grows and you put on additional weight, more tension is put on your back and pelvis as you compensate for your changing center of gravity.
- It’s challenging to accommodate these changes because your core support is not as strong since your ab muscles become extended.
- Rarely women may experience pelvic lock, which occurs when the pelvic bones move so much they overlap each other and get locked in place.
All these adjustments occur to prepare your body for childbirth. Even though they are considered normal, it doesn’t mean you have to suffer through this time.
There Are Many Options for Relief
There are many options when you are seeking a pelvic solution to your pain. Some professionals that can be helpful for pregnant women are chiropractors, physiotherapists, massage therapists, and osteopathic doctors. Here’s some more information about each specialist and how they help manage pregnancy pain.
Chiropractors
A chiropractor is a doctor who specializes in readjusting your spine and the connected nerves to alleviate soreness. They use their hands to perform small movements to your bones to decrease pain. Visiting a chiropractor pregnant is considered safe and effective regardless of how far along you are in your pregnancy. Unique tables and changing how you lie down can ensure that undue pressure isn’t put on your abdomen during your session. Treatment plans usually encourage multiple visits as changes are made slowly over time. Fortunately, not only do these visits help decrease your pain, but they also make a little more room for your growing baby and encourage their proper alignment for birth.
Physiotherapists
A physical therapist is a medically licensed professional who uses stretching and strengthening techniques to ease aching muscles, joints, and nerves. As your muscles and ligaments move and elongate during pregnancy, they may become weaker and more susceptible to discomfort and injury. Physiotherapy pregnant can teach you ways to protect your muscles from harm and the proper way to exercise and keep them strong for delivery.
Massage Therapists
Getting a massage while you’re pregnant can be very relaxing. Licensed professionals use their hands to rub your sore muscles. You must visit someone who specializes in pregnancy massage because they must use adjusted techniques to make it safe for you. Some known advantages of massage are:
- Decreased stress
- Improved sleep
- Reduced swelling in your legs
- Relief from pain and discomfort
Osteopathic Doctors
A Doctor of Osteopathy is a medical doctor who specializes in a whole health approach to wellness. These doctors use techniques that combine holistic medicine with massage therapy, chiropractic care, and physiotherapy to relieve pain and have a healthy pregnancy. They may use a variety of these practices to help alleviate your discomfort and focus on nutrition to prevent unnecessary weight gain, relaxation techniques to decrease stress, and proper posture to support the weight of your growing baby.
The discomforts of pregnancy may overshadow the joy and excitement of your experience. If you have back, hip, leg, or pelvic pain, there are many resources available to help ease the symptoms so you can enjoy your pregnancy.