Apr 17

Relief For Pregnacy-related Back Pain, Leg Pain

Pregnancy-related low back pain, leg pain, pelvic pain and other neuromuscular pain issues zaps the joy out of pregnancy for some. Just ask a current or formerly pregnant woman! Care without medications is desirable for these patients. Chiropractic treatment with spinal manipulation is one such evidence-based treatment option. (1) In a study that did not track what kind of care if any they received for their back pain, researchers found that the likelihood of the pain interfering with self-grooming and work activities was doubled for those who experienced a combination of musculoskeletal pain issues versus just low back pain during pregnancy. Those who had both pelvic girdle pain (PGP) and low back pain (LBP) had a five-times higher likelihood of work absence. Those who had a mix of PGP and LBP had a 13-times higher likelihood. At 6 months postpartum, 50% were pain-free, 16% had lingering pain, 38% had persistent pain. (2) This is where relieving care like chiropractic spinal manipulation comes into play. For example, a 26-year-old pregnant woman in her second trimester experienced severe pain in her lower back and both hips and down her right leg noted relief after her first treatment with Cox® Technic flexion distraction decompression. Cox® spinal manipulation was delivered in a side-lying, comfortable modified position for treatment. She reported complete relief of her pain after 8 visits. (3) Chiropractic is a non-drug, gentle option for pain relief during pregnancy. Let your pregnant friends know that they don’t have to suffer with back pain!

Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. Evaline Delson on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson about the use of The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Managementtreatment protocols to help restore some pain-free joy of the pregnancy.

TIP OF THE MONTH: Exercise for (Pregnancy-Related and All) Back Pain

Exercise certainly benefits anyone with back pain and even those who have back pain during pregnancy. 42.3% of pregnant women had low back pain which was more frequent than in the normal population. Being physically active with regular exercise was recommended. (4) A study of pregnant women who exercised from their 17th to their 34th week versus those who didn’t reported 21.9 mm less low back pain and 12.9 mm less sciatic pain on a VAS (0-100) scale score, 6.9% reported less pain, slept better, had less pain while lifting, and were less limited in their social lives due to pain. (5) A review of the outcomes of 16 randomized clinical trials found that women who performed physical activity throughout their pregnancy experienced less pain intensity, had decreases noted in their disability questionnaires, and noted less general pain overall. (6) What exercises work? A simple series of exercises focusing on abdominal tightness, pelvic tilting, and foot and ankle movements were found to be statistically significant in decreasing pregnancy-related musculoskeletal disorders. (7) The three basic exercises for back pain patients in the Cox® Technic System are similar: abdominal tightening, pelvic tilt, and knee chest exercises. So simple. So effective.

We look forward to seeing you or a friend or loved one – pregnant or not! – for back pain relief!

References for HEALTHY NEWS – April 2024

  1. Conner SN, Trudell AS, Conner CA. Chiropractic Care for the Pregnant Body. Clin Obstet Gynecol. 2021 Sep 1;64(3):602-610. doi: 10.1097/GRF.0000000000000621. PMID: 33882524.
  2. Weis CA, Padkapayeva K, Smith P, Barrett J, Landsman V. Relationship Between Location of Pregnancy-Related and Postpartum-Related Back Pain and Limitations of Daily Activities and Work Participation. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2024 Mar 26:S0161-4754(24)00002-2. doi: 10.1016/j.jmpt.2024.02.001. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38530696.
  3. Kruse RA, Gudavalli S, Cambron J. Chiropractic treatment of a pregnant patient with lumbar radiculopathy. J Chiropr Med. 2007 Dec;6(4):153-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jcme.2007.08.005. PMID: 19674710; PMCID: PMC2647097.
  4. Koca TT, Özer A. Low back pain and kinesiophobia in pregnant women. J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil. 2024 Apr 9. doi: 10.3233/BMR-240006. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38607751.
  5. Aparicio VA, Marín-Jiménez N, Flor-Alemany M, Acosta-Manzano P, Coll-Risco I, Baena-García L. Effects of a concurrent exercise training program on low back and sciatic pain and pain disability in late pregnancy. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2023 Jul;33(7):1201-1210. doi: 10.1111/sms.14353. Epub 2023 Mar 23. PMID: 36932459.
  6. Sánchez-Polán M, Nagpal TS, Zhang D, Silva-Jose C, Montejo R, Barakat R. The Influence of Physical Activity during Pregnancy on Maternal Pain and Discomfort: A Meta-Analysis. J Pers Med. 2023 Dec 28;14(1):44. doi: 10.3390/jpm14010044. PMID: 38248744; PMCID: PMC10817295.
  7. K A, V V. Redefining Maternal Wellness: The Role of Antenatal Exercises in Musculoskeletal Issues Among Primigravida Mothers. Cureus. 2023 Dec 14;15(12):e50494. doi: 10.7759/cureus.50494. PMID: 38226104; PMCID: PMC10789476.