Pregnancy is one of the most anticipated but highly dreaded events in a woman’s life. Every woman knows that there are a lot of changes and occurrences that they have to deal with when they are pregnant –the topmost of which is swelling, a change in body shape, and pain. While this may discourage many intending ‘pregnant moms to be’, there are several solutions that will alleviate back pain in pregnant women of any age and size.
Photo by Ivan S
From simple and easy to achieve acts of practicing good posture and getting the right gear for your back, to getting massages when necessary and using an inversion table, here is how to deal with back pain during pregnancy.
Use the right gear
Pregnancy comes with a lot of changes, and these changes will affect what you eat, how you sleep, and most importantly, what you wear.
One of the leading causes of back pain in pregnant women comes from the clothes or shoes they wear, and in some cases, the gear they do not wear.
Once the pregnancy is advanced, the intending mother should switch from high-heeled shoes to flat-footed shoes or sandals and do away with tight-fitting clothes in exchange for loose-fitting clothes.
Flat shoes reduce back pain, while the introduction of maternity support belts to the outfit is also a good back pain-alleviating addition. It is also safe to use the best inversion table during pregnancy to manage back pain.
Watch how you lift
In pregnancy, you no longer completely own your body- your baby is a co-owner. As such, you must put that into consideration whenever you want to do things as little as lifting objects from the floor.
Bending at the waist or lifting with your back can cause strain and stress to your back. If you ever have to lift, lift only little objects, squatting down and lifting with your legs spread.
If you live in Plano or nearby cities in Texas, local spine clinics can guide you on safe ways to move and lift. Many women in Texas seek advice from Advanced Spine Center, Plano, TX, when they need a careful check of their spine and back during pregnancy. A short visit to a spine specialist can help you learn simple movements that keep both you and your baby safe.
Watch how you sleep
If you don’t have or cannot afford sleep support pillows, then it is more imperative that you watch how you sleep.
The best sleeping posture for pregnant women who want to alleviate back pain is to sleep on their sides, not their backs. One or two knees should also be bent to relieve the pressure on the back.
Massage helps
Depending on the individual’s preference and the severity of the back pain, attending a massage session can go a long way to help with the pain crisis. If you are suffering from mild to intense back pain, use either a heating pad or an ice pack. They work.
Use an inversion table
This mode of managing severe backache should be done with the express permission of the physician.
Inversion tables have been known to help individuals who have severe back pain and other back issues. Due to the peculiarity of pregnancy, it is necessary to seek your care provider’s opinion.
Never forget exercise and good posturing
Nothing can take the place of practicing good posture in preventing and managing back pain. From simple acts like holding your chest high and standing and sitting up straight to practicing exercises like low backstretch and yoga under the supervision of an instructor can help to straighten the spine and relieve the pressure the abdomen places on the spine.