Back pain can be a common condition experienced during pregnancy with research suggesting that up to 50-70% of expectant mothers may experience back pain or lower back pain during their pregnancy.
In this article we will unpack some of the reasons why back pain may occur during pregnancy and explore how pregnancy acupuncture may provide relief as a complementary and natural therapy.
Back pain during pregnancy can occur due to changes that your body experiences as your baby grows and as it prepares for labour and delivery. These can include:
Hormonal changes: hormones that are released during pregnancy have a softening effect on ligaments and joints that can place strain on the joints in the lower back, pelvis and hips.
Centre of gravity: changes to your centre of gravity can occur when your baby and uterus grow. This can place extra strain on back muscles.
Your posture: changes brought upon by pregnancy can also cause abdominal muscles to stretch and weaken, which can affect your posture. Muscles in the back may become strained as they attempt to compensate for the reduced abdominal strength. Everyday activities like standing for long periods of time can create an onset of pain.
In some cases, sciatic nerve pain may be experienced as a result of changes to posture.
Stress: during more stressful periods of a pregnancy, you may experience muscle tension or back spasms.
Research suggests that acupuncture is a ‘promising treatment for low back and pelvic pain during pregnancy’ and ‘the current evidence supports the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture for these conditions.’
Acupuncture is a key branch of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). TCM is a system of healthcare that places great importance on maintaining balance within the human body.
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, illness or pain can arise if the body is out of balance. Acupuncture is used by Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners to rebalance the body and maintain a steady flow of ‘Qi’ (regarded as the body’s energy force).
Acupuncture is a natural and holistic therapy that looks to ease both chronic and short term pain by inserting thin, sterile needles into specific areas of the body.
By stimulating particular areas of the body, acupuncture aims to remove stagnation and any blockages that may be affecting the steady flow of energy within the body.
Acupuncture may provide benefits if you are experiencing back pain during your pregnancy:
Research from 2020 concluded that ‘No significant difference in delivery outcomes… was observed between confirmed pregnancies in the acupuncture and control groups. Therefore, in pregnancy, acupuncture therapy may be a safe therapeutic modality for relieving discomfort without an adverse delivery outcome.’
Acupuncture should always be performed by a licensed and experienced practitioner and in Australia all practitioners should be registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
You may consider acupuncture as a complementary treatment if:
If you are seeking assistance with your back pain during pregnancy don’t hesitate to contact us.
Dr Sharlane has over 15 years experience in pregnancy acupuncture.
