Back Pain During Pregnancy and After Childbirth
Although low back pain is common in the population as a whole, it is even more common in certain unique groups of people. This is particularly true of pregnant women. Approximately 50% of pregnant women report having bothersome back pain with 33% reporting severe pain. In about 10% it becomes so severe that it is disabling. About 65% of women with back pain during pregnancy still have it for several months after delivery.
There are two primary reasons for the high incidence of back pain in pregnant women. The first is simply the increased weight gain and forward pull associated with the enlarging abdomen. Mechanically, this causes a great deal of strain on the spine. The second factor is hormonal. During pregnancy, certain hormones that soften ligaments and tendons are released into the circulation in increasing amounts. The purpose of this softening is to allow the bony pelvis to stretch during childbirth. However, the ligament softening also causes mechanical instability of the lower spinal and sacroiliac joints, as ligaments are an important joint stabilizer.
Treatment of those who develop serious back pain during pregnancy has always been difficult. It is always desirable to limit the use of drugs during pregnancy, and this is true of pain medications. Additionally, medication has never proven to be a good long-term solution for back pain. More recently, the use of chiropractic manipulation has been investigated for treating back pain during pregnancy, and it is proving to be very effective.
Researchers from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Linkoping University Hospital in Sweden studied the use of chiropractic manipulation for back pain during pregnancy. Seventy percent of those treated with manipulation were totally relieved of their severe back pain. Of the other 30%, all experienced at least temporary relief with this treatment. The doctors at Linkoping University Hospital who participated in this study commented that the results of manipulation in this group of patients are very promising.
Back pain that persists after delivery usually results from the same mechanical displacement of the sacroiliac joints. As the blood hormonal levels that were present during pregnancy drop, these joints tend to tighten in poor alignment. Fortunately, their normal position and motion can be restored with chiropractic manipulation, just as it can during pregnancy. This should be done in conjunction with an exercise program to help restore muscle tone.
Pregnancy is a delicate and difficult time for the back. Natural treatment methods such as chiropractic manipulation are preferable during this important time. Early chiropractic evaluation is important when back pain begins during a pregnancy, as well as for back pain that does not resolve after delivery. Back pain does not have to be an unwanted part of pregnancy.