Healthplus Pregnancy Joint Pain Clinic
Pregnancy should be a time of happiness and anticipation. However, as your body adapts to support the growing baby and prepare for delivery, you may start to feel joint and muscle pain.
Pregnancy and child care increase women's vulnerability to back problems. Studies in the USA indicate that between 40% and 60% of pregnant women get back pain.*1
From this statistic, you may have thought low back pain was an unavoidable part of pregnancy, however, with chiropractic, physiotherapy and massage treatment programmes focussed on good posture, safe movement, back exercises and improved mobility you could gain relief and meet pregnancy’s special demands.
In addition to preventing or reducing back pain, your programme may bring other benefits. No one can promise an easy delivery or a fast recovery. But, you may find that the improved biomechanical function and increased strength gained from your chiropractor programme improves your stamina and ability to push during labour.
Causes of Back Pain during Pregnancy
Although there are many causes of back pain during pregnancy, postural changes may be the most common. As your uterus enlarges, your abdominal muscles stretch further and your upper, mid and low back muscles shorten and tighten. This imbalance coupled with increased weight may exaggerate the spine’s three natural curves, leading to stressed postures. The increased production of hormones to prepare for delivery causes the loosening of pelvic joints, which can cause back pain. You also may fell pain if a nerve is pinched or trapped by pressure from the baby or your changing posture. The sciatic nerve, running from the low back down the leg, is most often affected and called sciatica.
Moving two people is harder than moving just one – and it puts extra stress on your back. Think through each move before you make is, so that you’ll use the right muscles for the job. Moving safely will help maintain good posture, reduce back pain and avoid injury.
Easing Discomfort
• Ice pack (as directed by your practitioner)
• Heat pack (as directed by your practitioner)
• Exercises (as directed by your practitioner)
• Massage (by experienced qualified practitioners in pregnancy massage)
Importantly, the stress of pregnancy and approaching motherhood can create tension and anxiety, which in turn contribute towards low back pain. Relaxation techniques such as meditation, breathing practices and even a quiet lie-down in a comfortable position may be helpful
Caution with Back Pain
Back pain may be a sign of preterm labour. Call your doctor or midwife if you have any of the following signs before the 37th week of pregnancy:
• Low, dull backache or pelvic pressure
• Four or more contractures (tightening of the uterus) in one hour.
These may not be painful
• Menstrual like cramps
• Bleeding or watery discharge from your vagina
After the Birth
Back pain, joint pain and muscle pain often does not end with the delivery of your child especially if the pain has been present for a considerable length of time. Your chiropractor or massage therapist will discuss the benefits of an after delivery programme to maintain your improved back giving you the security and flexibility to look after your newborn baby.
Following a natural birth, you can return to having chiropractic treatment after 6 weeks. Following caesarean section you can return to having chiropractic treatment after 12 weeks.
Health Plus Specialist Pregnancy Care Clinic, offers the opportunity for patients suffering with joint pains during pregnancy to attend a free consultation (with a chiropractor) to determine the cause.
The consultation includes:
• Private consultation with chiropractor
• Health Review
• Postural Assessment
• Lifestyle analysis
• Comprehensive pregnancy joint care advice
Consultations are strictly by appointment only with limited availability.
References
*1 Perkins, Hammer and Loubert. Journal of Nurse-Midwifery. Vol 43, No.5,
September/October 1998, page 334
If further information is requested regarding your case and whether Healthplus Chiropractors and Physiotherapists in Ilford, Chiropractors Hampstead Garden Suburb and Chiropractors South Woodford can help, please contact the clinic or email info@healthplusclinics.com
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HealthPlus Clinics are registered Chiropractors in Ilford, Physiotherapists in Hampstead Garden Suburb and South Woodford treating Back Pain in the Ilford area of Essex, Hampstead Garden Suburb and the South Woodford area of London
