Everything To Know About Back Pain During Pregnancy and What Your Prenatal Chiropractor in Vancouver Can Do To Help

By Dr. Thea Treahy-Geofreda

Power By Design, Pregnancy

Many women have heard that chiropractic care can help during pregnancy… and many women have heard of the Webster technique for pregnancy.

During their prenatal prep, many women investigate what they can do to prepare their bodies for the upcoming changes. As your prenatal chiropractor in Vancouver, we’re here to help.

For about half of women, pregnancy and back pain seem to go hand in hand. About 10% of women report pain so severe it affects their day-to-day activities, yet only 21% of women with back pain seek any medical attention.

As your belly grows so does the amount of pain you experience.

There are a number of reasons you may be affected by back pain during pregnancy, including:

  • your uterus enlarging and shifting its center of gravity
  • an increase of hormones such as relaxin causing joints to literally relax and become unstable
  • the stretching of ligaments and tissues of the abdomen
  • physical pressure on the sacrum and nerve roots from your developing baby

Each of the above-listed factors cause a decrease in normal structure, function and stability of the spine.

At The Powerhouse, we look for core structural problems with the spine and nerve system. These core problems can lead to collateral damage, causing some of the pain and discomfort you feel during pregnancy.

If you have a core structural problem with your spine, the increase in hormones and growing weight of your baby can exacerbate (make worse) any back pain or collateral damage you previously had before becoming pregnant.

All of a sudden, simple movements you had no problem with before, like reaching, bending or twisting, become difficult, and in some cases painful.

If you are planning on becoming pregnant, we recommend starting care as soon as possible to make sure you are in tip-top shape to handle the stresses of pregnancy and birth.

Is there a way you can alleviate pain that is safe for both you and your baby?

Treatments range from ice and heat to massage and pain killers. There is increasing research showing that pain killers are not safe for pregnant women as there is little evidence to support a “placental barrier”, meaning what you take into your body will also affect your growing baby.

Pain killers also help us go about our business experiencing decreased pain, which may cause us to repeat the same activities that caused damage in the first place.

Feeling pain gives us a chance to stop and rest, knowing that our body is saying “pay attention in the now” to a certain activity.

While ice, heat, and massage can provide temporary relief, they don’t ultimately correct the core problem you may be experiencing.

In fact, massage therapists often refer pregnant clients to chiropractors to provide a more permanent solution to back pain and correct alignment of the spine and pelvis.

Chiropractic care during pregnancy will help to reduce these core structural problems with your spine and nerve system, thus enhancing your comfort during pregnancy.

There are even more benefits of chiropractic care during pregnancy depending on your specific case, which can be discussed at your initial consultation.

What if you’ve had multiple births?

The muscles and ligaments may be stretched and more relaxed, especially if the mother hasn’t exercised to strengthen her pelvic floor muscles and tissue.

In this case, mom is more prone to structural pelvic misalignments, affecting the room for development of your baby and the comfort of your pregnancy.

What to do next?

Our best recommendation is to get started with a great prenatal chiropractor, like the doctors at The Powerhouse in Vancouver. Studies show that greater than 90% of women who seek chiropractic care during pregnancy are satisfied with their results.

If you want to make sure your pregnancy is as comfortable as possible, take the next step and book a consultation with one of the doctors at The Powerhouse today.

As an added bonus, we have made a list just for you, to further help reduce pain during pregnancy:

  • Exercise and mobility. Starting this process before becoming pregnant means you’ll most likely have an easier pregnancy. Always consult a healthcare practitioner, including your chiropractor, before beginning a new exercise regime during pregnancy.
  • Place a pillow between your legs while sleeping on your side.
  • Take frequent breaks during the day and elevate your feet.
  • Use a lumbar support pillow for long periods of sitting.
  • If working at a desk take frequent breaks every hour.
  • Don’t be afraid to ask for help when lifting objects, including other children.
  • Learn the proper method for getting up from bed to avoid abdominal splitting.

 

Thea is a Life By Design Chiropractor, author, blogger and speaker on creating extraordinary health. Thea is passionate about powering your health, allowing you to create an extraordinary life! She has long known the benefits of regular Chiropractic care, experiencing drastic improvements in athletic and academic performance as well as an enhanced quality of life. Thea and her husband Brian own and practice from The Powerhouse Chiropractic in beautiful Vancouver, BC, Canada.