Safe Ways To Manage Back Pain During Pregnancy

As you get further along in pregnancy, your growing midsection puts an increasing amount of strain on your back. As such, it is not unusual for pregnant women to experience substantial backaches and back pains. If you previously injured your back, you're even more likely to develop back pain. So how do you manage this discomfort without putting your own health or the health of your baby at risk? Here are a few good options.

See a chiropractor.

Visit a chiropractor who is used to working with pregnant women and who has a specialized table with a cut-out midsection. You'll lie down on the table, and they will use gentle pressure to adjust your spine. This will take some of the pressure off the muscles to the sides of your spine, which can become really tight and painful when you are pregnant. Your chiropractor can also show you some stretches you can do as your back gets tight during the day. They may even use cold laser therapy, which involves shining a gentle, cool laser on your back to relax the muscles. The laser does not penetrate far enough to be a concern for your baby.

Take an Epsom salts bath.

Fill your bathtub with warm water, and toss in a few handfuls of Epsom salts. Stir them around, and let them dissolve. (Make sure you don't use scented Epsom salts, as some of the ingredients used to add scent are not safe during pregnancy.) The magnesium in the Epsom salts helps relax your muscles, and the warm water will also help ease back pain. Soak for up to a half-hour, and feel free to take these baths daily, if needed. Soaking your feet in Epsom salt water can also help with pregnancy-related foot pain.

Wear a belly supporter.

A belly supporter is like a wide, elastic band you can wear around your belly when pregnant. You position it just under your belly so that it supports the weight of your belly, thereby taking pressure off your back. Wearing one throughout the day, especially when you have to stand a lot, can help ease back pain. Look for one that is breathable and adjustable for the best results.

By visiting the chiropractor, relaxing in an Epsom salts bath, and wearing a belly supporter, you can manage your pregnancy-related back pain very safely. Talk to a pain management doctor for additional tips.