Are you currently expecting and struggling with back pain? Have you recently given birth but still feel persistent discomfort? Pregnancy takes a toll on your body, but the good news is that our physical therapists at Beyond Therapy and Wellness in can help! Our team is dedicated to helping you alleviate your back pain during pregnancy and postpartum.
Low back or pelvic pain is a common experience for many women during pregnancy, affecting up to 70% of women, with a significant percentage still feeling the pain even after delivery. This pain can occur in your sacroiliac (SI) joint, low back, or middle back. It may start as a minor ache but can worsen, making it difficult for you to care for your baby and carry out daily activities.
If you’re suffering from back pain during or after pregnancy, don’t wait. Our Beyond Therapy and Wellness physical therapists have extensive experience working with women in all stages of pregnancy. We’ll ensure you are in the best possible condition before delivery and help you get your health and fitness back!
Contact Beyond Therapy and Wellness in to get the relief you need and return to what’s most important – caring for your little one.
What are the leading causes of back pain during and after pregnancy?
Back pain is a common concern for expectant mothers, with many experiencing pain before and after giving birth. Pain often develops in the SI joint where the spine meets the pelvis but can occur anywhere along the spine. The most common diagnoses for back pain during and after pregnancy include lumbar strain, radiculopathy, and sacroiliac joint dysfunction.
The following factors can contribute to prenatal or postpartum back pain:
- Hormonal changes: During pregnancy, the hormone relaxin is released, which causes the ligaments and joints to loosen, leading to back pain.
- Weight gain: As the body gains weight, it strains the pelvis and spine, especially the nerves and blood vessels surrounding these regions.
- Postural changes: The growing baby’s weight and the shift in the center of gravity can lead to changes in posture, and the lower back curve may increase. These changes often cause additional back stress, leading to pain.
- Muscle separation: As the uterus expands, extreme stress is placed on the abdominal muscles. This strain leads to separation (diastasis recti) and muscle imbalance, putting more pressure on the spine and resulting in back pain.
- Stress: The physical and emotional stress of pregnancy and caring for a newborn can lead to back pain.
It is crucial to address the underlying causes of back pain during and after pregnancy. Our Beyond Therapy and Wellness physical therapists take a patient-centered approach to care. We tailor all our treatments to the whole person. We are here to help and make sure you are feeling and functioning at your best!
What to expect at your physical therapy visits at Beyond Therapy and Wellness
At Beyond Therapy and Wellness, our physical therapists offer pre-and postnatal treatment options for pregnancy-related pain relief. Your physical therapist will conduct a physical evaluation and consider your medical history and health risks before creating a personalized treatment plan.
Our holistic treatments typically include gentle exercises, stretches, manual therapy, and massage to relieve pain, strengthen core muscles, and improve posture. Additional methods may also be recommended based on individual needs.
Physical therapy treatments used for back pain during and after pregnancy may include stretching and strengthening exercises. The function of these exercises is to improve posture, reduce stress on the back, and increase core stability.
Core strength is particularly important for mothers to handle the demands of motherhood. If you’re experiencing diastasis recti, we will design a condition-specific treatment plan to correct the symptoms.
Your core muscles, including the lower back, hip, pelvis, pelvic floor, and diaphragm, are essential in stabilizing your body, supporting posture, and allowing appropriate movement. Weak core muscles can lead to compensations, straining, poor posture, fatigue, or pain.
Your programs may include manual therapy techniques, such as soft tissue and joint mobilization. These methods help improve pelvis and spine mobility while reducing muscle tension and pain.
Our therapists will also include education on proper body mechanics, posture, and activities to avoid or modify to reduce strain on the back. Our goal is to address you and your needs as comprehensively as possible.
We believe it is important to approach back pain during and after pregnancy in a holistic and patient-centered manner. We will take into account the physical, emotional, and lifestyle needs of the individual person!
Request an appointment at our holistic clinic today!
Our patient-centered approach incorporates holistic solutions to pain relief at Beyond Therapy and Wellness. We want to make sure you are as comfortable as possible while bringing your new addition into the family.
Reach out to us today to schedule an appointment with one of our women’s health specialists!
