Pregnancy

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What Causes Back and Leg Pain During Pregnancy?
During pregnancy, the increasing weight and size of the baby put stress on the spine's three natural curves. As a result, changes in posture occur that can cause pain in your back or legs.

Increased Stress on Your Spine
As your baby grows, you carry more and more weight in front of you. This stretches your abdominal muscles. When you stand, the baby pulls down on the thoracic curve (middle back) and forward on the lumbar curve (lower back). The larger the baby grows, the more exaggerated these curves become. This puts pressure on the joints in the spine. It may also put pressure on nerves, causing pain. The sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower spine down the legs, can also become irritated, causing pain in your legs. At the same time, joints in the pelvis loosen. This helps prepare you for delivery, but it can also irritate nerves in the spine.

What Can I Do to Ease Back and Leg Pain?

Along with spinal adjustments, maintaining good posture, moving safely, exercising regularly, and eating right can help reduce stress on your spine and relieve pain.

Practice Good Posture

Good posture reduces stress on the joints, nerves, and muscles in your back. Keep your head and shoulders centered over your hips. When you sit, keep your knees level with your hips. To lift, bend at the hips and knees, not the waist. Then lift with your legs. To reach, turn your whole body, not just your head and neck.

Do Exercises for Your Back

Gentle exercises can help reduce back pain by increasing the flexibility of your spine. Your chiropractor can help you design an exercise program for your needs. Be sure to do each exercise exactly as directed by your chiropractor.


Why Are Regular Spinal Checkups Important?
Even if you don't have back pain, having regular spinal checkups is one of the best ways to help prevent back pain during and after pregnancy. Giving birth is stressful on the spine. The extra bending and lifting you do as you care for your baby puts added stress on the spine, too. Your chiropractor can help you and your family manage or prevent spinal problems and maintain healthier lives.


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