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Healthy News April 2024 Pregnancy Related Back Pain: Relieving Chiropractic Treatment and Exercise

picture of chiropractic treatment of a Sitka pregnant patient
 

RELIEF FOR PREGNACY-RELATED BACK PAIN, LEG PAIN

Pregnancy-related low back pain, leg pain, pelvic pain and other neuromuscular pain issues drains the happiness out of pregnancy for a few. Just ask a current or formerly pregnant woman! Treatment without drugs is desirable for these patients. Chiropractic treatment with spinal manipulation is one type of evidence-based treatment option. (1) In a study that didn’t track what kind of care (if any) they received for their back pain, researchers found that the likelihood of the pain restricting self-grooming and work activities was twice the risk for those who experienced a combination of musculoskeletal pain issues versus just low back pain throughout 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 noted that they experienced a mix of PGP and LBP had a 13-times greater likelihood. At 6 months postpartum, 16% had lingering pain, 38% had persistent pain, 50% were pain-free. (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 into 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 noted complete relief of her pain after 8 visits. (3) Chiropractic is a non-drug, gentle option for pain relief throughout pregnancy. Let your pregnant friends know that they do not 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 utilization of The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management treatment protocols to help restore some pain free joy of the pregnancy. 

 

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

Exercise certainly helps anyone with back pain and even those who experience back pain while pregnant. 42.3% of pregnant women had low back pain which was more common than in the normal population. Being physically active with regular exercise was suggested (4) A study of pregnant women who exercised from their 17th to their 34th week versus those who did not exerices 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 when lifting, and were less restricted in their social lives because of 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 reported less general pain overall. (6) What exercises are effective? A simple series of exercises centering on abdominal tightness, pelvic tilting, and foot and ankle movements were found to be statistically significant in lessening 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.

Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka is honored to be your Sitka chiropractor and values your sharing your chiropractic care with family and friends, especially the pregnant ones this month! We look forward to seeing you soon!

Schedule your Sitka chiropractic appointment today!

"This information and website content is not intended to diagnose, guarantee results, or recommend specific treatment or activity. It is designed to educate and inform only. Please consult your physician for a thorough examination leading to a diagnosis and well-planned treatment strategy. See more details on the DISCLAIMER page. Content is reviewed by Dr. James M. Cox I."