Pregnancy Back Pain

For over 48% of all pregnant women, back pain is the norm. Some research suggests that in even up to 90% of all pregnancies, this is the case. So, you are not alone.

One of the first things you notice as your pregnancy develops is your changing posture. The growing weight of your baby all carried at your front contribute to increased spinal curves and stresses in the back. In addition, pregnancy hormones add to the problem of back pain and pelvic pain.

Is this pregnancy the first time you have ever experienced aches and pains in the back?

Is the back pain you may have suffered from intermittently pre-pregnancy become worse or changed a little now that you are pregnant?

Are you having troubles walking, rolling over in bed or climbing stairs pain free?

All of this is normal and very common in pregnancy. There are, however, steps you can take to manage your back pain and enjoy your pregnancy more, back pain free.

What can I do to fix my back pain?

There is a growing body of research supporting effective strategies for managing your back pain. These include:

• Gentle and specific exercise programs to target your core muscles deep in the pelvis and spine. Attending The Fix Program's prenatal Pilates based core stability classes will do just this to improve the support and stability around your spine.
• Manual therapy treatments such as physiotherapy to realign the pelvis, reducing excessive pressures through the back and pelvic joints. Our team of physiotherapists will assess the need for this in you and follow through with appropriate treatments, as necessary.
• Wearing external supports such as pelvic belts to assist with improving your pelvic joint stability. With correct prescription by your physiotherapist, evidence suggests that 82% of pregnant women will enjoy reduced pain wearing these.
• Improving your postural awareness to minimise any extra undue pressures on your spine.

Will treatment help me?

Yes, evidence suggests that one of, or a combination of the above strategies will decrease your pregnancy back pain.

Will I suffer from this back pain for life?

No, this is rarely the case. Research concludes that effective management to stabilise and support the spine in pregnancy and beyond results in a good postnatal prognosis. This means that nearly all pregnancy back pain will resolve within a year, and most within 6 months. Rarely, some pain will continue for up to 2 years, but these were women that suffered from multiple and complicated back and pelvic joint pain during pregnancy.

Our postnatal Pilates based core stability classes will target mobility and strengthening of the spine and pelvis in your post-pregnancy body. This will assist you in reducing any of your ongoing back pain and return your spine to a pre-pregnancy alignment.