For many women, back pain is common during several or all of the three trimesters of pregnancy. The causes may vary, but each one can affect your wellness, as well as your mood. Throughout the entire nine months, it will be difficult to completely avoid the symptoms of back pain due to hormones, weight gain, or poor posture.
However, there are things you can do at home so it does not impact your quality of life. The following activities will help you to prevent and treat back pain, all without any known side effects. With the help of these safe prevention strategies, you and your baby can stay happy and healthy.
1. Stay Active
Exercise offers a variety of benefits for pregnant women. According to the American Pregnancy Association, these include reducing back pain, improving posture, and helping enhance strength and muscle tone throughout the body. By getting active each day, you will prevent the loss of muscle tone and added weight that can contribute to uncomfortable symptoms.
Before beginning an exercise plan, talk to your OB-GYN or midwife. They can help you find the physical activities that are appropriate for each trimester. Some of the best exercises for pregnant women include walking, swimming, and prenatal yoga. Take each workout slowly and rest if you feel tired or lightheaded. Gentle stretches before and after exercise can help to further avoid pain and make you feel more limber.
2. Try a Supportive Device
In the second and third trimesters, a woman’s belly may begin to feel heavy. At the same time, joints are loosening to make more room for a successful delivery. You can prevent the pain that results from common back conditions in pregnancy, such as round ligament pain and sacroiliac (SI) joint pain, with the help of a belly support device.
Belly support bands are popular among pregnant women for taking the weight off the abdominal area. They also provide gentle compression to alleviating discomfort while you are walking or exercising. Since they support all of the right areas on your lower back and torso, they also encourage better posture. This will help to discourage symptoms of back pain throughout the day.
3. Get a Massage
A prenatal massage can help to reduce tension in the muscles that could eventually lead to back pain. Massages will also help to reduce stress and increase relaxation, so you do not tense up your back. Massage therapy is not recommended in the first trimester, but your physician should be fine with you having sessions in the second and third trimesters. Inquire about your options.
You may need a doctor’s note to get your first massage. Once you have a print or digital copy of your letter, find a professional who is experienced and certified in prenatal massage. These standards of quality help to ensure your comfort as well as your baby’s safety.
4. Discover Laser Therapy
Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT), which has also been termed low-level light therapy (or simply LLLT), is one of the best ways to prevent lower back pain. Now, pregnant women can also use the form of low-level laser therapy for lower back pain in the comfort of their homes. Using non-ionizing light sources, PBMT devices such as our laser therapy belts are able to penetrate the skin and modulate pain and inflammation. Best of all, you can stay comfortable without invasive treatments or pharmaceuticals.
Ask your doctor if you can try laser therapy for moderate aches, muscle spasms, or inflammation. Wear the belt for just 30 minutes per day. With the help of an auto-timed treatment feature, you will ensure you are getting the benefits both safely and effectively. Every moment that you wear the belt, you will experience comfort and support that helps to relieve tension from the back and belly.
Preventing Back Pain in Each Trimester
Each of these therapies can be helpful for preventing back pain in each trimester of pregnancy. Experiment to find the strategies that are right for you. By keeping your doctor informed about your symptoms and treatment choices, you can help yourself feel more energized and experience less pain, even when your belly gets heavy.
