Lower Back Pain During Pregnancy? What to Do About It
Over 50% of women experience lower back pain during pregnancy. This is attributed to hormonal changes that relax muscles and ligaments to allow the uterus to stretch and make room for the baby. Also, the body's center of gravity shifts as the uterus stretches and the embryo grows, causing stress on the spine and muscles. The stretching and loosening of abdominal muscles puts stress on the spine and lumbar muscles, contributing to lower back pain, particularly in the final months of pregnancy. Also, weight gain strains the lower back and spine, resulting in discomfort in the lumbar region.
There are two common types of back pain that occur during pregnancy. One is lumbar or lower back pain, which is felt around the lower spine. The discomfort typically gets worse if sitting or standing for long periods of time. Another type of low back pain is felt in the pelvic region or buttocks. It can also be felt in the back of the thighs. Walking, twisting, lifting, rising (from a bed or chair) and climbing stairs are some of the things that can trigger pelvic discomfort.
Sciatica (inflammation of the sciatic nerve) is relatively uncommon during pregnancy, occurring in only one percent of the population. If you're experiencing pain, tingling or numbness that radiates from the lower back or buttock down the back of the leg, chances are you have this condition, which is usually caused by a ruptured disc in the lower spine. If you experience these symptoms, you should report them to your physician.
Fortunately, there's a lot you can do to alleviate discomfort in your lower back when you're expecting. Exercises and stretches can strengthen the lower back muscles and promote flexibility to reduce lower back pain. Swimming is a great exercise for women during pregnancy, as it's low impact and supports the entire body, reducing the occurrence of muscle strain. Check with your physician before beginning an exercise routine to make sure it doesn't jeopardize your pregnancy. There are yoga classes geared to pregnant women to ease lower back pain and support a healthy pregnancy. Some women use acupuncture or chiropractors to ease lower back discomfort.
When sitting, especially for long periods of time, try keeping your feet elevated slightly and use a chair with good back support. Sometimes it helps to put a pillow behind your lower back for additional support. Stand often, stretch and walk around for short periods of time. Avoid prolonged standing, as this can add to back strain.
Sleeping on your side with your knees bent also helps to relieve lower back stress. A full length body pillow can also be helpful, as can placing a pillow between the knees when sleeping.
Wearing flats or low heeled shoes also helps, as does wearing a support belt or maternity pants with a low elastic band to support the abdomen. Bend from the knees when lifting, using the legs and not the back for support. Avoid lifting or moving heavy objects. Massage, heat compresses and warm baths help to alleviate lower back pain. Acetaminophen is safe to use during pregnancy, but avoid aspirin and ibuprofen.
Use these tools to ensure an enjoyable pregnancy that's safe, healthy and relatively free of discomfort!
Questions and Answers
If you were to have legal access to the records of every general practitioner across the United States, you would find that lower back pain is one of the most common reasons for visits to physicians. Studies show that about 60 percent of reported pain problems in the U.S. are...
Most low back pain is triggered by some combination of overuse, muscle strain, and injury to the muscles, ligaments, and discs that support the spine. Many experts believe that over time muscle strain can lead to an overall imbalance in the spinal structure. This leads to a constant tension on the muscles, ligaments, bones, and discs, making the back more prone to injury or reinjury.
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There are different ways on how to relieve lower back pain that may start from blocking nerve conduction to reduce pain, medication, exercises and surgery as the last resort.
Try these stretches to help with those chronic aches and pains. They are designed so you can do them at work or home – simply and effectively.
A summary of seven simple methods to obtain relief from lower back pain. Methods that don't require huge amounts of time or expensive treatments, just little adjustments that can be made quite easily to relieve back pain
If you are one among the many thousands of teenagers or adults that suffer from acne infections on your torso, you have probably been looking for information on how to eliminate acne on your back. Large and aching cysts under the skin, general tenderness and redness and even pus filled pimples and sores are all signs of acne on your back. This condition is usually called bacne to differentiate it from face acne.
Nobody wants to be spotty. It is a universal truth. Regardless of how old we become--bad skin, be it the rare zit or full blown acne--is shameful. Acne, in particular, can be a problem for us for much longer than we had counted on when we first entered puberty as young adults. For a long time we've covered our faces with high-priced chemicals and products hoping to keep the acne far from us. But what if you could clear up your skin in much easier and less harmful ways?
No one really wants to be affected with zits. It really is just the simple truth. It doesn't matter how old we become, zits, pimples, acne -- terrible skin in whatever form it takes -- is embarrassing. Acne, in particular, can be a plague for us for considerably longer than we had counted on when we first entered puberty as young adults. We spend years slathering ourselves with every chemical and acne fighter we can find.
No one wishes to be seriously affected with spots. It is a universal truth. It doesn't matter how old we get, zits, pimples, acne -- bad skin in any form it takes -- is shameful. Acne particularly can plague us for far longer than we had planned when we were young adults entering puberty. For years we have covered our faces with high-priced chemicals and products aiming to keep the acne from us. What if you could assist your skin without having to be forced to take that type of drastic action?
Acne Vulgaris or commonly known as acne is a skin illness usually appears during our teenage years when one's hormones and skin oil glands are most productive. It may result in a great deal of changes not just in a person's physical appearance but psychologically at the same time.
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a federal program whose main goal is to provide an income for a disabled worker who is no longer able to work.
The number of people applying for Social Security Disability Insurance is staggering and unfortunately, many of those cases will be denied.
In order to qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance you must first meet certain criteria. You must go through an application process and be approved before you can receive cash benefits.
The Social Security Disability Insurance program (SSDI) is a federally funded program that provides cash benefits to workers who have become completely disabled.
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a program put in place by the federal government in 1956, in case a worker becomes disabled and is not capable of working.
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