It’s a well-known fact that pregnancy often leads to back pain. The added weight of the baby, combined with the pressure from your growing uterus and the awkward way you have to hold your body means that it’s no surprise if you feel some discomfort in your lower back.

But many pregnant women don’t realize there are ways they can reduce their risk for experiencing chronic or severe low back pain during pregnancy - which could lead to a lifetime of suffering. The key is simple: chiropractic!

Many pregnant women are reluctant to take medication for their back pain, fearing that it might harm their baby. However, there are many drug-free options available that can provide relief. A recent study confirms that chiropractic care can offer pregnant women safe and effective relief of pelvic and back pain.

The study included 115 pregnant patients with lower back or pelvic pain who were treated with chiropractic adjustments. After one week, half reported improvements; that percentage jumped to 70% after four weeks; and at the three-month point, 85% of the women reported improvement! The expecting mothers had significant reductions in pain and disability, as measured by NRS and Oswestry scores, respectively.

One year after the start of the study, 88% of patients reported improved back and pelvic pain post-delivery. This improvement is significant, given that having back pain during pregnancy typically sets women up for future episodes of back pain. These findings suggest that taking care of your spinal health while pregnant can have lasting benefits for your health.

Chiropractic care has been found to be effective in reducing back pain and disability in pregnant women in other studies, as well. A study published last year in The American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology found that patients who received chiropractic care had significant reductions in pain and disability at 33 weeks' gestation, while those who received standard medical care did not.

Most pregnant women are satisfied with the care they receive from chiropractors. Chiropractors use gentle, low-force spinal adjustments when working with pregnant women or other sensitive patients, like the elderly or children. These spinal adjustments are often combined with massage, stretching, and exercise rehabilitation for effective, natural relief. Chiropractic has also been shown to be effective for women with migraine during pregnancy.

References

Peterson CK, et al. Outcomes of pregnant patients with low back pain undergoing chiropractic treatment: a prospective cohort study with short term, medium term and 1 year follow-up. Chiropractic and Manual Therapies 2014;22(1):15.

George JW, et al. A randomized controlled trial comparing a multimodal intervention and standard obstetrics care for low back and pelvic pain in pregnancy. American Journal of Obstetrics Gynecology 2013;208(4):295.e1-7. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2012.10.869.