This past week in the office we had a couple of pregnant women come into the office experiencing back and neck pain. Their primary concern is the welfare of the baby and are hesitant to take any kind of medication for pain relief. Why do pregnant women have more aches and pains in the joints and muscles? And what can be done to help?
I came across this article on Pub Med this week explaining why pregnant women tend to have some of the pains they do. As most patients in our office know, we have curves in our spine that help support our weight.
I came across this article on Pub Med this week explaining why pregnant women tend to have some of the pains they do. As most patients in our office know, we have curves in our spine that help support our weight.
It is estimated that somewhere between 50% and 85% of women experience low back pain during pregnancy. With an increase in weight in the front of the body in pregnant women, the lower spine is also pulled forward creating an increase in the lower curve of the spine. This is called lumbar hyperlordosis. The increase curve will cause many of the aches and pains pregnant women experience.
Here's what a chiropractor can do. I will quote from the published paper because he says it so awesome. "Owing to fears of the potential effects of medications, many women are unsure of what to do about low back and pelvic pain during pregnancy. This uncertainty can often lead to increased feelings of stress, anxiety, and helplessness. Women might report to their physicians with symptoms of pain located in the groin, pubic symphysis, or sacroiliac joint. They often believe that their pain is a result of a problem with their placenta, uterus, or developing baby. Common sacroiliac joint dysfunction can often cause substantial pelvic pain and can be relieved with a simple adjustment by a chiropractor in minutes. Chiropractors, as primary health care professionals, have the ability to identify and diagnose mechanical problems and to alleviate many cases of undue stress or anxiety. Chiropractic doctors are also trained to understand when symptoms are indicative of something more ominous and to refer the patient to the appropriate professional if a nonmechanical issue is suspected."
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