Lower back pain is commonly experienced during pregnancy. This article deals with the causes and remedies for the same.

Lower back pain is one of the most common conditions experienced during pregnancy. It is prominently observed during the second part of the pregnancy.

Causes

A woman puts on excess weight in pregnancy. The back, especially the lower back, is the weight bearing part of the human body. Gaining excess weight leads to more pressure on back muscles and on joints.

Secondly, hormonal changes can affect the functioning of muscles and the ligaments, which may result in pain in joints and back while sitting, bending over, sleeping, etc. Softening of the ligaments and discs leads to backache. Sometimes, back pain can be due to kidney stones. Abdominal pain and difficulty in urination are the other symptoms of kidney stone. Stress is also believed to be one of the causes.

The pain may be mild and throbbing which lasts for a long time. Sometimes, women may experience posterior pelvic pain, experienced in the hips and thighs. In most of the cases, the pain triggers off with activities like lying down, bending, sitting or getting up from the chair, bed, etc. Pain can also be experienced along the waistline. This is not a serious disorder and can be overcome easily by following certain measures.

Remedies

The pain cannot be completely prevented as it is a natural and common condition. However, you can definitely undertake measures to reduce it.

Before commencing any treatment or self care practices, you should consult your doctor to check that there is no serious underlying cause. You can look for relaxation techniques like chiropractic treatment or massage. You can even go for exercises like pelvic tilts, swimming, or walking as they help in keeping the back strong.

Secondly, you should remember to take utmost care while lying down, sitting, or standing up, and should not remain in the standing position for a long time. You should also change the posture and stand up straight without slumping. Wearing comfortable shoes and abstaining from lifting heavy objects is also very important. Lastly, it is advised that pregnant women should not sleep flat on their backs, but, rather on one side.

Painkillers and other medication should be taken only on consulting the doctor. It is also recommended to consult a trainer before undertaking any physical exercises in pregnancy.

Disclaimer: This article is for informative purposes only and does not, in any way, intend to replace the advice of a medical professional.