Back pain is a common occurrence during pregnancy. In the first trimester, it stems from hormone changes. In the second and third trimesters, particularly the third, the pain is caused by the baby placing pressure on your sciatic nerve, or your center of gravity shifting. Unfortunately, there are few medications you can take to alleviate pain when you’re pregnant. And you may desire an unmedicated course of action to be on the safe side.
Fortunately, with some at-home remedies and chiropractic care from a Bessemer, AL, prenatal chiropractor, such as one at Premier Chiropractic Center, you can fight off this discomfort naturally.
Practice Good Posture
After you start to show, your center of gravity is no longer the same. You’re now middle-heavy. That weight in the front places pressure on your back.
Therefore, you want to practice good posture as much as possible. Sit with your back straight and shoulders down and slightly back. Your hips should be aligned with your shoulders.
Additionally, your feet need to be placed on the floor. By sitting with proper posture, you’ll help re-shift your center of gravity and ease the stress on your lower back that you do when you sit slouching.
You need to practice good posture when standing as well. Hold your head straight and look in front of you. Shoulders should be down and slightly back.
Try Hot and Cold Therapy
For a heat source, use a heating pad on a low setting or a damp, warm rag. For cold therapy, you may wrap a clean dishrag around an ice pack and place it on the area.
The heat encourages blood flow, and the additional nutrients promote healing. Heat is also known to soothe sore muscles and ease muscle spasms.
Cold works in the opposite manner; it causes your vessels to constrict which reduces blood flow throughout the area. This reduces inflammation. Cold also can ease the pain of sore muscles.
You should experiment and see which one works best for you. It could also help to alternate the two.
Change Your Footwear
High-heeled shoes can make your back pain worse. Even when you’re not pregnant, high heels are known to cause back pain and muscle spasms. With this footwear, your lower back arches. Your upper body tends to lean backward to compensate. Ultimately, this stresses your discs.
Ideally, you should wear shoes with a small heel with adequate arch support.
Lift Properly
Always lift with your legs, not your back. Studies aren’t consistent on how much weight you can lift when you’re pregnant. Therefore, you should consult with your OB/GYN for advice. This is especially the case if you’re high risk.
Reduce Back Pain While You Sleep
While it’s safe to sleep on your stomach, it can lead to neck and back pain. If you lay on your back, you’re putting excess pressure on your soft tissue and discs. You should preferably lay on your left or right side. Use pillows in between your legs and perhaps a pregnancy pillow for your stomach to ease the stress on your body as you sleep.
Stay Active
Sitting places excess pressure on your back. Therefore, unless you’re placed on bed rest at some point during your pregnancy, stay active. Go for walks, do pregnancy-safe cardio, or even lift. Make sure you ask your OB/GYN about what physical activities are safe for you.
Contact a Chiropractor
If you’re experiencing back pain during your pregnancy, contact a Bessemer prenatal chiropractor. You can receive chiropractic alignments, exercises, and other treatments that are safe for pregnant women. Your practitioner will tailor treatments to how far along you are.
Additionally, when you visit our office for prenatal chiropractic care, our practitioner can provide you with more lifestyle advice to ease your discomfort.
You can reduce back pain at home through various methods. However, some pregnancy-related back pain is unavoidable. That’s why you should contact Premier Chiropractic Center, serving Bessemer, AL, and the nearby region, today to get relief.
Book an appointment by calling 205-519-4024 or using our online form.
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