Health & Fitness The Newsletter About Your Health And Caring For Your Body
BY STRENGTHENING YOUR CORE MUSCLES It is no secret that pregnancy takes quite a toll on the body. It severely stretches the abdominal wall, causing core muscles to weaken and resulting in back pain. Fortunately, our physical therapists at Physical Therapy Specialties can help relieve your back pain, both during your pregnancy and after you have given birth. We can help you achieve a complete recovery, even if it has been years since your last pregnancy. Even if you still exercise regularly, if you do not target your core muscles specifically, an imbalance in muscle strength will occur. When your core is strong, it means your spine is better protected against injury when you twist, lift, or strain your body while doing an activity – such as picking up your little one! If you have been suffering from back pain either during or after a pregnancy, don’t hesitate to contact Physical Therapy Specialties today. We’ll help you relieve your undesirable back pain so you can get back to comfortably doing what matters most – preparing and caring for your bundle of joy. WHY AM I EXPERIENCING BACK PAIN WITH PREGNANCY? If your pregnancy is causing you back pain, you are not alone. In fact, many women report back pain both before and after giving birth. Most expecting mothers report their back pain occurring at the “sacroiliac joint,” which is the area where your pelvis meets your spine. There are many reasons why you may experience prenatal or post-partum back pain, including: • INCREASED WEIGHT. Women typically gain 25-35 pounds during pregnancy. This puts extra stress on the spine since it is responsible for supporting your weight. The growing baby in your uterus also puts extra pressure on the nerves and blood vessels surrounding your back and pelvis, which can also attribute to your back pain. • SEPARATION OF MUSCLES. As your uterus continues to expand throughout your pregnancy, stress is put on your “rectal abdominis” muscles. These muscles run parallel to one another, from the rib cage to the pubic bone. With a continued expansion of the uterus, it is possible for these muscles to separate along the center seam, in a condition known as “diastasis recti.” This may cause or further aggravate your back pain. • CHANGES IN POSTURE. When you’re pregnant, your center of gravity changes. To compensate for this, most women will adjust their posture and the way they move, sometimes without even realizing they are doing so. Postural changes may cause a strain in the back, leading to discomfort. • CHANGES IN HORMONES. During pregnancy, your body releases a hormone known as “relaxin.” This increases joint laxity and – much like its name infers – allows the ligaments and joints in the pelvic area to relax. This is your body’s natural way of preparing for vaginal birth; however, the relaxin hormone can also cause ligaments in the spine to loosen. When this happens, instability and pain can ensue. RELIEVE YOUR PREGNANCY-RELATED BACK PAIN
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