There are many, many reasons why people seek advice regarding back pain during pregnancy. One time when surgery must be extra-carefully considered is during pregnancy, especially when the source of the back pain is pregnancy-related.
Back pain and pregnancy seem, for many women, to go hand in hand. More than seventy percent of women experience back pain during the middle and later stages of pregnancy, and back pain is the single biggest discomfort women complain about during their time anxiously awaiting for the arrival of their baby.
Why Do Women Get Back Pain during Pregnancy?
There is no one reason for pregnancy-related back pain, but an array of causes. These include:
- Hormones of pregnancy loosen and relax ligaments and joints, particularly in the pelvis. This causes ligaments that support the spine to also loosen; this can cause pain and instability of the spine.
- You are gaining weight and it is concentrated in one area. The spine has to support this extra weight; it alters your center of gravity, which in turn alters how you stand upright.
- The pressure of your growing baby can compress nerves and blood vessels in the back and pelvis, causing issues such as sciatica.
- Later in pregnancy, the muscles that run between the ribs and the hips over the abdomen can separate; this can make pain worse.
5 Simple Ways to Avoid Pregnancy Back Pain
Pregnancy back pain is very, very common, yet there is a lot you can do to bring relief and ease the tension in your back.
- Maintain a Good Posture. Slouching puts extra strain on your spine. Avoid wearing high heels while you are pregnant, use a small pillow to support your back while you’re sitting, and don’t cross your legs.
- Apply Deep Heat. Heat packs, used safely, are a great way to improve blood flow to your muscles and relieve pain in your back. Be very careful to only use them for about fifteen minutes and no more than three hourly, as you don’t want to overheat your body. Indulging in a pregnancy massage is a great way to spoil yourself and help relieve back pain also.
- Exercise. Regular gentle exercise improves your flexibility and strengthens your muscles. Enjoy time walking, swimming, riding a stationary bike, or doing pregnancy yoga. Your doctor can recommend suitable exercises to help.
- Move Mindfully. Lift only small objects, bending the legs and never using your back or bending from the waist. Look after your back and take it easy. Don’t twist when doing housework. If you need to stand for any period of time, use a stool to rest one foot at a time to be more comfortable.
- Sleep Comfortably. Sleeping well during pregnancy can be challenging. The ideal position for sleep is on your side, with a pillow between the knees, under the abdomen, or behind your back (or all three!).
For Relief from Severe or Chronic Back Pain– See an Expert Spine Surgeon
The great news for expectant moms experiencing back pain is that, unless back pain was an issue for you prior to your pregnancy, it will in all likelihood improve dramatically after you give birth and get back to normal in time.
Dr. Ezriel E. Kornel is an expert spine surgeon in NYC. He has many years of experience in all aspects of spine surgery in NYC, and he is also an expert in all aspects of back pain, its causes, and its solutions. Dr. Ezriel E. Kornel is a caring professional who takes a holistic approach to his patients. He offers expert opinion and advice relating to back pain and the need for surgery. Dr. Ezriel E. Kornel sees patients in NYC, Westchester County, and Dutchess County.
Please call our office at (914) 351-3600 to schedule an appointment to see Dr Ezriel E. Kornel, or visit our website at topspinesurgeonnyc.com to learn more about pregnancy-related back pain and whether you may benefit from surgery for a chronic issue.
