Back Pain During Pregnancy: How to Find Relief

Back pain is one of the most common complaints of pregnant women, with 50% to 80% of pregnant women dealing with some level of back discomfort. Your body inevitably changes during the nine months of pregnancy to support your growing baby, accommodate extra weight, adapt to a shifting posture, and adjust to hormonal changes.  These factors can contribute to pain, particularly in the lower back.

Here at Hancock Chiropractic, we understand back pain and don’t want you to just suffer through it. We offer safe, medication-free ways to manage back pain and find relief. 

Why pregnancy can cause back pain

Back pain commonly affects pregnant women, especially in the later stages. Several factors contribute to this discomfort:

• Increased weight: As your baby grows, so does the demand on your spine and lower back muscles
• Postural shifts: Your expanding belly moves your center of gravity forward, which can strain your lower back
• Hormonal changes: Pregnancy hormones, particularly relaxin, loosen the ligaments in your pelvis, reducing spinal support and increasing discomfort

For many women, back pain manifests as sciatica, a condition in which the sciatic nerve becomes compressed, causing pain, numbness, or tingling that radiates from the lower back down the legs. 

All about sciatica

Sciatica occurs when pressure on the sciatic nerve causes sharp, shooting pain, making simple activities — like walking, standing, or even sleeping — uncomfortable.

Because the nerve runs from the lower back down each leg, sciatica can cause pain, tingling, or weakness anywhere along this pathway. While this pain is often temporary, it can be disruptive and frustrating. Fortunately, chiropractic care offers a safe, natural way to relieve this discomfort.

Chiropractic care can help pregnancy back pain

Chiropractic care is a gentle, noninvasive way to address back pain during pregnancy. Our team specializes in pregnancy-safe spinal adjustments that help:

• Realign the spine to reduce nerve compression
• Relieve pressure on the sciatic nerve
• Improve circulation to decrease inflammation
• Restore balance in the pelvis to support a more comfortable pregnancy

In addition to spinal adjustments, prenatal massage therapy can help relax tight muscles and relieve tension, providing even more relief from pain and stress.

Other benefits of chiropractic care during pregnancy

In addition to back pain relief, regular chiropractic adjustments can provide other benefits during pregnancy, including:

• Better mobility because reducing nerve compression can improve flexibility and make movement easier
• More comfort throughout pregnancy by relieving joint and muscle stress
• Improved posture by correcting imbalances that further back pain
• Preparation for labor by keeping the pelvis balanced may help optimize positioning for childbirth

We can also offer recommendations for nutrition and safe supplements to support the health of your pregnant body.

Manage back pain at home

You can take steps at home to help manage back pain when you're not visiting our office. We recommend you:

• Apply heat therapy to soothe sore muscles
• Use supportive pillows when sitting and avoid slouching to improve posture
• Stretch to ease tension and improve flexibility
• Wear supportive shoes  

Pregnancy should be an exciting and joyful experience, not constant discomfort. If back pain affects your daily life, chiropractic care combined with at-home strategies can help you feel your best as your body changes.

Set up a consultation today to learn more about how you can find relief from back pain during pregnancy. Call Hancock Chiropractic or use the online tool to schedule your appointment.