Pregnancy is a joyous time but can cause a variety of symptoms that make expecting mothers feel uncomfortable. Along with your growing uterus, the shift in how you hold your weight, and various other changes that arise during pregnancy, you may suffer from recurring back pain. This can make it uncomfortable to perform your usual tasks. Fortunately, you can take steps to improve your symptoms.
Change Your Footwear
Poor arch support causes issues with the ligaments and tendons in your feet. To simplify what happens, if your arches don’t have adequate support, it creates a domino effect that leads to pain in your legs and back, and can cause pain elsewhere in your body, as well. You always want to opt for footwear that offers adequate arch support to prevent this from happening. Go for supportive sneakers or low-heeled shoes when you’re pregnant. These can reduce the stress on your back.
Limit How Much Weight You Lift and How You Lift Items
Speak to your obstetrician about how much weight you can lift safely during every trimester of your pregnancy. Remember, this figure may vary based on your situation and any pre-existing or current health conditions you may have. When you lift anything, make sure you always lift with your legs and not your back. It’ll limit the stress on your back and help prevent injuries.
Sleep on Your Side
Your center of gravity changes when you’re pregnant. This can affect your posture. If you sleep on your back or stomach, it may cause you back pain during the day. To combat this problem, you should sleep on your side. Try using support pillows to reduce the stress on your back, particularly under your abdomen and in between your knees.
Practice Good Posture
Think about your posture throughout the day. Make sure you hold your head up and stand straight when you walk. Don’t sag your shoulders or bring them forward. You should practice good posture when you sit, as well, to take pressure off your lower back.
Apply a Heating Pad
If preventive measures aren’t enough, you may want to try sitting with a heating pad on your back. The heating pad can enhance circulation along with improving pain symptoms. Never continue to use a heating pad if it makes you feel overheated or uncomfortable.
Perform Stretches
If you perform routine stretches to exercise your back and core muscles, you’ll notice you have less pain in your back. Exercise enhances your circulation and soothes sore muscles and other soft tissue. Talk to an orthopedic doctor about the best exercises and stretches for you.
Contact Our Dover, NJ Orthopedists for Pregnancy-Related Back Pain
Back pain is a common occurrence during pregnancy, but it’s manageable with care from one of the orthopedists at Orthopedic Associates of West Jersey. Our practitioners offer many nonsurgical treatment methods to relieve back pain, including pain that is pregnancy-related.
Book an appointment with Orthopedic Associates of West Jersey, serving Dover, New Jersey, and nearby areas today. Call (973) 989-0888 or using our online appointment scheduling tool.
