Back pain during pregnancy: 7 tips for relief

Back pain during pregnancy is common. Changes in the body often play a role in that. You gain weight. Your center of gravity changes. Muscles in the stomach area that support the spine stretch and weaken. Hormones relax connective bands of tissue, called ligaments, in the joints of your pelvis.

Often, though, you can prevent or ease back pain during pregnancy. Try these seven ways to get relief.

1. Practice good posture

As your baby grows, your center of gravity shifts forward. You might lean back to keep yourself from tipping forward. But leaning back can strain the muscles in your lower back. Straining muscles can play a role in back pain during pregnancy.

Keep these tips for good posture in mind:

• Stand up straight and tall.
• Hold your chest high.
• Keep your shoulders back and relaxed.
• Keep your knees slightly bent. Don't lock them.

When you stand, use a comfortably wide stance for the best balance. If you must stand for a long time, rest one foot on a low step stool. This eases the strain on your back. Take time for frequent breaks too.

It's also important to sit with good posture. Choose a chair that supports your back. Or place a small pillow behind your lower back. Some stores sell lumbar support pillows and cushions designed to support the back while sitting.

2. Get the right gear

Wear low-heeled — not flat — shoes that support the arches of your feet. Good choices include walking or athletic shoes. Don't wear high heels. They can further shift your balance forward and cause you to fall. High heels can strain the muscles in your lower back too.

You also can get back support by wearing an abdominal support garment, also known as an abdominal or pregnancy binder. It's a clothing item that can take some of the weight of your stomach off of your back muscles. Some pants made for pregnant people help support stomach weight as well. They include an elastic band that goes under the curve of the belly.

You also might think about wearing a pelvic support belt. Research on how well these belts work is mixed. But some pregnant people find the extra support helpful. If you choose to try a support belt, bring it to one of your medical appointments. Your healthcare professional can help show you the best way to wear and position the belt.

3. Lift properly

When you lift a small object, first make sure you have stable footing. Then, squat down with a wide stance and bend your knees. Keep your back straight as you lift with your leg strength. Don't bend at the waist or lift with your back. Also, know your limits and ask for help if you need it.

4. If possible, sleep on your side

Many pregnant people find that sleeping on the side, rather than on the stomach or back, helps ease back pain. Keep one or both knees bent in a neutral position. Try using pregnancy or support pillows. You can place the pillows between your bent knees, under your stomach and behind your back. Full-length body pillows also are available.

5. Try heat, cold or massage

A heating pad, hot pack, warm water bottle or ice pack placed on your back can give sore muscles relief. If you use a heating pad, set it to the lowest temperature. Wrap the pad or a warm water bottle in a towel to lower the chance of burns.

A back massage also might help. It's not proven to ease low back pain for long amounts of time, but it may help you feel better.

6. Stay active

Regular physical activity can keep your back strong and might relieve back pain during pregnancy. It's important to keep doing the physical activities that you did before pregnancy. These might include walking, running or water exercise. A physical therapist also can show you stretches and exercises that might help. Physical therapy may help if heat, cold, massage and exercise don't ease your back pain.

You can stretch your lower back as well. One way to do this is to rest on your hands and knees with your head in line with your back. Pull in your stomach, rounding your back slightly. Hold for several seconds, then relax your stomach and back — keeping your back as flat as possible. Over time, work up to 10 repetitions. Many pregnant people find prenatal stretching and strength classes such as yoga helpful. Ask your healthcare professional or physical therapist about other stretching exercises too.

7. Consider complementary therapies

Some research suggests that acupuncture might relieve back pain during pregnancy. With acupuncture, a trained practitioner places very thin needles through your skin at strategic points on your body. Some studies suggest that chiropractic treatment also might help. With chiropractic treatment, a trained and licensed specialist uses the hands or a small instrument to adjust your spine. If you want to try a complementary therapy, check with your healthcare professional first. And be sure to tell the chiropractor or acupuncturist that you're pregnant.

Know when to call your healthcare professional

If you have serious back pain during pregnancy, tell a member of your healthcare team. Also talk with a healthcare professional if you fall or get injured while pregnant. Your care team might want to monitor the health of you and the baby. If back pain lasts more than two weeks, contact a member of your care team. Your healthcare professional might recommend medicine such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or other treatments.

Back pain during pregnancy could be a symptom of preterm labor or a urinary tract infection. Call your healthcare professional right away if you have back pain along with any of the following:

• Vaginal bleeding.
• Fever.
• Cramping or contractions.
• A burning feeling during urination.