- Traverse City, MI |
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West: W Front St:
(231) 944-6541
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| Central: Munson Ave : (231) 421-9300
West: (231) 944-6541
Central: (231) 421-9300
(231) 944-6541
(231) 421-9300
West: (231) 944-6541
Central: (231) 421-9300
Apart from fatigue, nausea, and swollen feet, most women experience back pain during pregnancy.
Pain is commonly felt in the lower back, in the posterior pelvic region, and the lower lumbar region. Therapy for pregnancy-related back pain is recommended to minimize discomfort.
50% to 70% of women experience back pain during the second half of pregnancy. Some of the specific symptoms they experience are:
Stiffness or discomfort after standing or sitting for prolonged periods of time
Pain that radiates to the legs
Pain over the pubic bone
Pain in the thighs or buttocks
Pain in the center of the back
Pain above or at the sides of the waistline
Various factors can cause back pain during pregnancy, such as:
Weight gain – Your growing infant creates additional weight that your spine must support. This may cause lower back pain over time. The extra weight can also put pressure on the nerves and blood vessels in the pelvis and back.
Center of gravity – Pregnancy shifts your center of gravity and causes your posture to gradually bend forward. This may result in back strain.
Hormonal changes – During pregnancy, the body produces “relaxin,” a hormone that loosens joints and relaxes ligaments in the pelvic area in preparation for childbirth. Relaxin also loosens ligaments that support the spine, resulting in discomfort and instability over time.
Exercise – Regular exercise strengthens muscles, boosts flexibility, and reduces spinal strain. Safe exercises for most pregnant women include yoga, walking, swimming, and stationary cycling.
Heat and cold – Doctors often recommend applying hot and cold compresses on the painful area for up to 20 minutes at various times of the day.
Acupuncture – Thin needles are inserted into the skin at specific locations to ease pain.
Check out these pregnancy stretches from Mayo Clinic by Clicking Here.
We've got more info on this and many other topics on our BLOG. Find out how to heal your pain by Clicking Here.
In some cases, back pain during pregnancy is a sign of something more serious. Although the traditional solutions discussed above may help mitigate common symptoms, they do not address the underlying cause of the pain.
Our Superior Method offers a different approach to treatment. We address the primary pain source and strive to develop lasting relief so you can resume your regular activities as soon as possible. Created by our own Dr. Andrew Gorecki, this method may include the following procedures:
The most important element of healing is identifying the cause. The cause is a movement disorder somewhere else in the body that is creating more stress in the injured area than the tissue can handle. A full body movement assessment is the most important aspect in finding the true cause. This involves assessing how mobile and stable the areas above and below the injured tissues are. Once the dysfunctional areas are identified the physical therapist can then prescribe home treatments to fix the problem areas.
In order to improve motion in the dysfunctional areas that are causing the increased stress on the painful injured tissues the most effect way to make a change in the body is to have a physical therapist use their hands to facilitate the proper motion while you are moving at the same time. This helps improve the path the body takes in order to reduce stress and tenson on the injured area.
The Superior Method aims to educate patients on how the body moves to safely ease pain and restore function.
With our smartphone app called Movement RX, we empower patients with the knowledge and tools needed to attain long-term physical freedom. All of the instructions provided by your physician will also be video-recorded and sent directly to your email or mobile device.
This principles-based method is designed to improve how the mind, body, and spirit work together to facilitate complete healing. All Superior Physical Therapy providers are Fellows of Applied Functional Science through the Gray Institute. This organization is led by the reputable physical therapist, Dr. Gary Gray.
Mechanical vibrations that penetrate deep into the muscle tissue enable tissue regeneration and improve the lactic cycle, which is one of the most common causes of pain. The procedure also helps boost circulation and lymphatic flow to alleviate pain.
The McKenzie Method® of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy® (MDT) is a distinguished and internationally researched method of diagnosis and treatment for spinal and extremity musculoskeletal conditions. Created by New Zealand Physiotherapist Robin McKenzie, this system has been used globally for over 60 years.
MDT-certified clinicians assess and treat all types of musculoskeletal disorders including complications in the spine, muscles, tendons, and extremity joints.
Don’t let pregnancy-related back pain interfere with your day-to-day routine. Schedule a free 15-minute discovery call with Dr. Gorecki to discover the best treatment option for you. Dial 231.944.6541 or request a consultation now.
