Pregnancy is a time of tremendous changes in term of musculoskeletal, physical and emotional condition. It imposes a tremendous stress on the body and yet is a condition of great satisfaction and happiness. During this period, the incidence of back pain is quiet common.
The causes of the increased incidence of Low Back Ache are:
Changes in musculoskeletal system
Stretching of abdominal muscles: Due to the growing fetus as a result of which the muscles are quiet stretched as a result of which the muscle is unable to generate strong contractions and thus decreases the efficiency of contraction.
Hormonal Changes: Due to the increased level of progesterone and relaxin, the tensile strength of ligaments decreases. This also has an effect on the ligaments of low back and pelvis. The joints become hyper mobile due to ligament laxity. This may predispose the patient to joint and ligamentous injury, especially in the weight bearing joints of the back and pelvis.
Changes in posture and balance
POSTURE
It shifted upward and forward because of the enlargement of the uterus and breasts. As a result of the postural compensation occurs. One of the compensation is the increased lumbar lordosis. This can further become habitual, if proper guidance is not provided. This increased lumbar lordosis puts lots of stress on the anterior longitudinal ligament which may lead to pain.
Moreover, there is approximation of facet joints which may become weight bearing thus leads to synovial irritation and inflammation.
BALANCE
With change In Centre of Gravity and increased weight there are compensations to maintain it. The woman starts walking with wide Base of support and increased external rotation at hip. Some activities such as walking, stooping, stair climbing, lifting and reaching. If these activities are repeated then it can be a potential source of low back ache.
Types:
LUMBAR PAIN
This is basically due to the altered posture and the additional biomechanical stresses that are discussed above.
Symptoms:
Worsen with muscle fatigue after static posture or as the day progresses. These symptoms are usually relieved by change in posture and rest. Pregnant females that are usually fit of have lesser chances to develop this type of backache.
SACROILIAC (POSTERIOR PELVIC) BACK PAIN
This is due to the ligamentous laxity that leads to increased stresses on the SI joint. This leads to SI joint pain and sometimes inflammation of the joint. This is more common in females as compared to LBA, even if the female is fit.
Symptoms:
Localized to the post aspect of the upper buttock ad is described as stabbing pain deep into the buttocks distal and lateral to lumboscral joint. Pain may radiate up to the knee joint. It is aggravated by prolonged sitting, standing or walking; pain when climbing stairs, turning in bel etc. This kind of pain in not relieved by rest. This type of pain can develop even in females with active lifestyle.
MANAGEMENT:
The back pain in pregnant females presents a completely different challenge for physiotherapy and thus requires great expertise on the part of the therapist. Thus, the exercises and postural corrections must be done under a proper guidance of a physiotherapist in a physiotherapy clinic.
Still, if there is any doubt about this article then feel free to contact me through this site.
The causes of the increased incidence of Low Back Ache are:
Changes in musculoskeletal system
Stretching of abdominal muscles: Due to the growing fetus as a result of which the muscles are quiet stretched as a result of which the muscle is unable to generate strong contractions and thus decreases the efficiency of contraction.
Hormonal Changes: Due to the increased level of progesterone and relaxin, the tensile strength of ligaments decreases. This also has an effect on the ligaments of low back and pelvis. The joints become hyper mobile due to ligament laxity. This may predispose the patient to joint and ligamentous injury, especially in the weight bearing joints of the back and pelvis.
Changes in posture and balance
POSTURE
It shifted upward and forward because of the enlargement of the uterus and breasts. As a result of the postural compensation occurs. One of the compensation is the increased lumbar lordosis. This can further become habitual, if proper guidance is not provided. This increased lumbar lordosis puts lots of stress on the anterior longitudinal ligament which may lead to pain.
Moreover, there is approximation of facet joints which may become weight bearing thus leads to synovial irritation and inflammation.
BALANCE
With change In Centre of Gravity and increased weight there are compensations to maintain it. The woman starts walking with wide Base of support and increased external rotation at hip. Some activities such as walking, stooping, stair climbing, lifting and reaching. If these activities are repeated then it can be a potential source of low back ache.
Types:
LUMBAR PAIN
This is basically due to the altered posture and the additional biomechanical stresses that are discussed above.
Symptoms:
Worsen with muscle fatigue after static posture or as the day progresses. These symptoms are usually relieved by change in posture and rest. Pregnant females that are usually fit of have lesser chances to develop this type of backache.
SACROILIAC (POSTERIOR PELVIC) BACK PAIN
This is due to the ligamentous laxity that leads to increased stresses on the SI joint. This leads to SI joint pain and sometimes inflammation of the joint. This is more common in females as compared to LBA, even if the female is fit.
Symptoms:
Localized to the post aspect of the upper buttock ad is described as stabbing pain deep into the buttocks distal and lateral to lumboscral joint. Pain may radiate up to the knee joint. It is aggravated by prolonged sitting, standing or walking; pain when climbing stairs, turning in bel etc. This kind of pain in not relieved by rest. This type of pain can develop even in females with active lifestyle.
MANAGEMENT:
The back pain in pregnant females presents a completely different challenge for physiotherapy and thus requires great expertise on the part of the therapist. Thus, the exercises and postural corrections must be done under a proper guidance of a physiotherapist in a physiotherapy clinic.
Still, if there is any doubt about this article then feel free to contact me through this site.
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