Q: I'm experiencing back pain more so now. My question is, is this back pain from my baby is it normal or is it something else? I'm a 30-year-old woman in the second trimester with our first child. I would have back pain before I was pregnant but nothing serious, just normal work and a little soreness at the end of the day. There was never back soreness or pain that I thought warranted a visit to the doctor. My doctor says that it is normal from the weight of the baby and there is nothing amiss, but to discuss this with a chiropractor, as there could be some treatment/therapies/exercises to help.
El Paso, TX.
A: Having low back pain before you were pregnant concerns me, as what you are saying sounds like a possible herniated disc bulging or slipped disc. However, I cannot give you an official diagnosis unless I see you as a patient and can't say if it is something else.
But low back pain can be caused by a combination of things. This includes your pregnancy along with:
- Herniated disc
- Disc degeneration
- Age
- Muscle spasm/s
- Daily wear and tear
- Injuries
- Unknown injuries
- Added Weight
For example, let's say you were lifting a few pieces of light furniture before you became pregnant, and that slight soreness you felt and thought was nothing could actually be a strain, muscle spasm, or over-stretch that did not cause an injury but is the beginning of an injury waiting to happen.
During pregnancy, a growing belly can put place more pressure on the:
- Intervertebral discs
- Joints
- Muscles
- Ligaments
Treatment During Pregnancy
There are several treatment options for back pain. During pregnancy is not the time to experiment with medications or back pain treatments that could cause a negative response or something else to your health. The goal during pregnancy is safety.Here are four safe therapies for managing back pain while pregnant:
- Gentle exercise/s like walking and yoga helps alleviate back pain and can also generate an overall feeling of wellness.
- Physical therapy can decrease your back pain by strengthening the muscles. A physical therapist that has experience working with pregnant women is the best option.
- Prenatal massage relaxes tense back muscles and reduces stress. Look for a massage therapist that specializes in prenatal massage.
- Prenatal yoga classes are great for decompressing/destressing during pregnancy.