I find that most people believe that aches and pains during pregnancy are part of the package and something the pregnant woman must deal with. Although it is true that pregnancy limits the choices of pain relief options for the expectant mother, there are treatments that prove to be beneficial for one of the most common symptoms associated with pregnancy, back pain.

The changes in a woman’s body due to pregnancy are dramatic and each physiologic and biomechanical change leads to a postural adaptation. An average weight gain of 25 to 35 pounds, combined with the center of gravity shifting forward, heavier breasts pulling the shoulders and upper back forward, increases the stress and strain on the muscles and joints of the spine and pelvic girdle. These changes are partly responsible for the fact that 50 to 85 percent of pregnant and postpartum women develop back pain.

In the first month of pregnancy, hormone secretion increases and causes a number of changes. The hormones are responsible for decreasing muscle tone and loosening ligaments that are responsible for providing stability to body structure. This creates increased mobility, which is essential for childbirth, but leads to instability of the spine, which is often the cause of low back pain. Interestingly, spinal disc injuries are most common for women between 25 and 40 years of age, also the most common childbearing / childrearing years.

The changes after birth are every bit as dramatic as with pregnancy alone. As the mother's body is healing, it is also adapting to bending, twisting, lifting, feeding, and carrying an infant. These activities put spinal structures and tissues under tremendous amounts of stress and strain. For about eight weeks after delivery, the muscles and ligaments return to a pre-pregnancy state. This is a critical time to correct any joint imbalances brought on by pregnancy.

Chiropractic adjustments are safe for both the mother and her baby, and one of the most appealing treatments for those who do not want to take medications. Ideally, women should be seen by a Doctor of Chiropractic before becoming pregnant to identify any neuromusculoskeletal imbalances that could contribute to back pain during pregnancy. Your doctor can also offer advice on exercise, nutrition, and ergonomics to ease the discomfort of back pain.