Lower Back Pain During Pregnancy

A Massage Therapists Guide

Being pregnant is one of the most miraculous and rewarding experiences that will happen in your life. As a part of this life changing, exciting experience, it comes with a few physical challenges along the way. Add these to a full time job, the cooking and cleaning, an anxious new dad or stressed dad from previous children and the baby essential expenses in preparation for your new bundle of joy, it can be quite daunting but don’t worry all pregnant women will experience it at one stage or another and we are here to help you!

So what is one of the common physical tests your body has to endure? Lower back pain, pain in the front or back of the hips and sciatic pain that shoots down towards the legs are common during pregnancy. Think about it, not only is your baby growing, but your body is also developing extra body tissue – including larger breasts and uterus – the placenta, and extra blood and fluid to support both the baby and yourself. So some form of back pain is something you are probably experiencing which should be expected to some degree by most women. Lower back pain can significantly impact on your day to day functioning, affecting your ability to work, sleep and perform normal activities which as a result can be very stressful both physically and emotionally.

Lower back pain, tightness, muscular ache, spasm and discomfort during your pregnancy can be caused by a number of different musculoskeletal conditions. These could include loose ligaments around the pelvis caused by an increase in the hormone relaxin that occurs during pregnancy, increased baby weight, changes in posture especially increased lower back arch and changes in walking patterns. Pain can also be caused by muscle weakness in some areas and muscle tightness in other areas around the hips, abdominal and lower back area.

Ways you can improve lower back pain at home include:

• Applying a heat pack to the area.
• Maintaining good posture – stand tall with shoulders back, tuck your pelvis under to reduce lower back arch, bend with the knees when lifting and sit with a supportive pillow in the curve of your spine to sit up straight.
• Sleep comfortably in a side lying position – place a pillow between your legs whilst keeping your knees bent, place a pillow under your abdomen and another pillow behind your back for support.

On top of the above points, a gentle soft tissue manipulation of a Pregnancy Massage can create a greater benefit in easing pain and discomfort in the lower back and hips as well as many other pregnancy related symptoms.

St George Health in Kogarah have been home to many pregnant women with various forms of back pain and other pregnancy related concerns. Most women have refused to leave after their massage due to the comfortability of the pregnancy massage table (which allows you to lie face down on your tummy), warm heater, electric blanket, relaxation music and the soft hands of our massage therapists. Sounds like heaven right?

Most women come for fortnightly or monthly pregnancy massages throughout their pregnancy journey for muscular tension and pain management, reduction in swelling and cramping of the calves and pure relaxation for optimal health for yourself and your growing baby.

To improve your sleep, get back to your daily activities and ease lower back pain, book online or, call 9553 9823 today to book your Pregnancy Massage with Samantha our pre and post-natal massage specialist at St George Health.

 

Written by Samantha Coert