This article is one of a series covering back pain — causes, symptoms, and the treatments we use at Back and Body Medical in Midtown Manhattan. For the complete overview, see the full guide:
→ Back Pain Treatment in New York City — The Complete Guide
Are you pregnant and having low back pain? If so, you are not alone, most women, particularly in their second and third trimester’s typically do experience low back pain due to extra weight and the body being slightly off center. Those back muscles have to do more work. Today, we will be giving you 4 ways we can help back pain from pregnancy.
1. Manipulation
Many studies have shown that chiropractic manipulation is a great way to manage pregnancy related low back pain. 75 percent of women who receive chiropractic manipulation during their pregnancy report a large reduction in pain. About 4 out of 5 of these women reported overall reduced pregnancy symptoms like heartburn, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, headache, insomnia, and neck pain. Studies also show that women who receive pregnancy related low back pain experience less postpartum back pain.
2. Exercise
It may not seem like it, but recent studies have shown that healthy women can begin or continue moderate exercise for at least 150 minutes per week. Therapeutic exercises, like yoga, have been proven to manage low back pain for women as well. Some specific exercises to follow are pelvic tilts, knee to chest stretches, hamstring stretches, and other stability exercises that target the abs or glutes.
3. Modalities?
There have been many studies done on using modalities such as e stim during pregnancy. More tests need to be conducted to fully figure out whether or not this is safe, but for now, doctors suggest to use exercise and manipulation to deal with pain.
4. Education
Education is the most important tool that one can have. Doing your research, and asking your doctors what is best in reducing pain is the responsible, and safe thing to do.
So if you are pregnant and experiencing the discomfort of back pain, there are solutions and we can help. Afterall, you have enough to concern yourself with in getting everything prepared for baby’s arrival, not to mention the other challenges of being pregnant too. If you know someone who is pregnant, please share this information with them as it can certainly help.
If you are in pain, suffer from back pain, neck pain, headaches or whatever, come in and see us, we can help. We also accept insurance and would be delighted to help you out of pain. Call us today or Schedule an appointment.
Dr Shan Sivendra MD is the founder and medical director of Back and Body Medical in Midtown Manhattan. A board-certified medical doctor, certified acupuncturist, and Director of House Physicians at St. Barnabas Medical Center, Dr Sivendra has been practicing in New York since 1995.
He completed his residency in Internal Medicine at Saint Barnabas Medical Center (affiliated with Mount Sinai School of Medicine) and received the Resident Research Award for three consecutive years.
Dr Sivendra has a background spanning internal medicine, pain management, and conservative spine rehabilitation, and was licensed in both the US and the UK.
At Back and Body Medical, he leads a multidisciplinary team of chiropractors, physical therapists, and acupuncturists dedicated to helping patients recover from pain without surgery or unnecessary medication.
Further Reading: Back Pain