Treatment for Back Pain in Pregnancy

05.24.2008 by Dr John Anne in Health Care

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Back pain is very common complaint in the pregnancy. Mainly, because the rapidly enlarging abdomen requires significant postural changes to be made. These changes can give rise to discomfort and sometimes pain in the back. The best way to avoid back pain in pregnancy is to avoid placing unnecessary strain on your back, so avoid wearing high-heeled shoes, take extra care when lifting and avoid standing in one position for too long.Back Pain pregnancy Treatment

The treatment recommendations for pelvic pain in most obstetrical and gynecological textbooks are poor. Patients are instructed to avoid excessive weight gain, exercise to strengthen the back muscles, maintain correct posture, and to wear sensible shoes (not high heels).

Some activities do cause or aggravate pain. The most common are: 30 minutes of standing or walking, carrying a full bag of groceries, standing on one leg, climbing stairs, turning over in bed, intercourse, bending forward, stepping in or out of bed, and driving for 30 minutes.

Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) can provide temporary relief for some of these problems. There are even treatments which I have taught prospective fathers to do on their partners at home, when the pain returns. Unfortunately, the return of pain is virtually inevitable until the source of the bodily stress (i.e. bun in the oven) is gone.

A typical regimen of physical therapy during pregnancy involves twice-weekly visits for about four weeks, during which patients can learn home exercises for pain management. If the patient’s condition does not improve, then the practitioner should consider a diagnosis other than simple pregnancy-related SI joint dysfunction.

Physical therapy starts with teaching the patient activity modification. This can include performing activities of daily living using symmetrical motion, such as lifting a laundry basket properly by keeping both feet on the ground and bending at the knees, or getting out of bed in a log-roll position.

To assess the possible cause of low back pain in pregnancy and develop a management program. METHOD: All women attending a rural general practice for antenatal care were asked about back pain. They were tested for pain of lumbar and sacroiliac origin and if positive were treated with mobilising technique and home exercise. RESULTS: Of the 20 patients identified as having low back pain, the iliolumbar ligament was identified in three while the sacroiliac joint was suggestive in the remainder. After three visits 15 had no pain and the rest had more than a 50% improvement in their pain. CONCLUSION: Low back pain in pregnancy is likely to be due to sacroiliac dysfunction which can be significantly improved with mobilisation.

Medications and therapies treatment for back pain pregnancy

Physical therapy and exercise

There are several types of physical therapy such as heat, ice, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, and muscle release techniques. Of course, when pain improves, the therapist can teach patient specific exercises to increase flexibility and strengthen back muscles.

Medications

Sometimes nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are being prescribed or even some muscle relaxants, to relieve mild to moderate back pain.