CAN A CHIROPRACTOR HELP WITH SI JOINT PAIN DURING PREGNANCY?
SI joint pain is a common complaint during pregnancy, and it can affect either one or both SI joints simultaneously. It's often called low back pain caused by pregnancy, and it can exist and worsen during pregnancy, or it can be a new complaint that begins during pregnancy. It is sometimes accompanied by sciatic nerve pain in the buttocks or the back of the leg.
Although SI joint pain during pregnancy is common, it does not have to last the entire pregnancy. There are several effective strategies to alleviate and make your pregnancy more comfortable. One of those strategies is chiropractic treatment during pregnancy. Continue reading to learn more.
Why do my SI joints hurt during pregnancy?
- SI joint pain during pregnancy can be caused by a number of factors, the majority of which are related to your spine's structure and how it changes during pregnancy.
- Normal pregnancy weight gain puts stress (load) on your spinal joints, particularly the SI joints and lower back joints.
- As your center of gravity shifts forward, your SI joints, low back spinal joints, and your hips experience increased load and pressure.
- How you walk and move changes to accommodate your pregnancy, causing compressive forces in your hips to change.
- The hormone Relaxin is most likely the root cause of SI joint pain. This pregnancy hormone is necessary during pregnancy allowing your joints to loosen and expand to accommodate a growing baby. However, this results in "looser" joints that do not have as much support as they had before. This can result in joint instability and subsequent SI joint pain.
During pregnancy, SI joint pain may be caused by a number of factors. One major factor is if you had lower back pain before your pregnancy. If you've previously experienced lower back pain, your chances of experiencing low back pain during pregnancy are doubled.
If you're still in the early stages of your pregnancy, you should be able to get through the next nine months without experiencing any back pain. According to research, pregnancy-related low back pain usually begins between the fifth and seventh months. Trying some of the strategies we discuss later in this article may help in getting ahead of it. These may aid in the relief and prevention of SI joint pain or low back pain during pregnancy.
What Does SI Joint Pain Feel Like During Pregnancy?
SI joint pain during pregnancy can be explained by first knowing what the SI joints are and where they are located.
You have two SI joints in your lower back and pelvis. When you form a U with your hands around your hips, two large joints near the center of your low back will come into contact with your thumbs. These are your SI joints, which are your spine's biggest joints. They are where your sacrum and ilium (pelvic) bones meet.
Occasionally, you may experience pain at the point where your lumbar spine and sacrum meet. Other times, you may experience pain on one side more than the other or equally in both SI joints. SI joint dysfunction can also be felt as low back pain, hip pain, or pain in the thigh or upper leg.
SI Joint Pain During Pregnancy Treatment
If you experience SI joint pain early in your pregnancy, you may believe you are doomed to suffer for months and months. Don't worry; you're not doomed. There are numerous safe and effective strategies for relieving SI joint discomfort during pregnancy. Let me go over a couple of options for relieving SI joint pain during pregnancy:
- Exercises for Strengthening that target the SI joints and other joints in the lower back, pelvis, and hips can improve the area's stability. Relaxin will do what Relaxin does, which causes laxity. There is nothing we can do about it, and your body requires it to accommodate your baby. However, we can combat hypermobility with strengthening exercises.
- A chiropractor for pregnancy-related conditions is an excellent source of knowledge and treatment. Your OB is in charge of everything, but they don't have many treatment options to treat the pain in your SI joint. This is where a chiropractor can help. Chiropractic adjustments can help you keep your SI joints in place and provide significant pain relief.
According to research, nearly 75% of women who receive chiropractic manipulation report significant pain relief and clinically significant improvements in disability.
- Lower back, hips, and legs stretching can help alleviate pregnancy-related problems like SI joint pain. A chiropractor who is experienced in treating pregnant patients is another good resource for developing a home stretch plan. They will usually combine stretches with strengthening and chiropractic adjustments for the best results.
- Moderate-intensity aerobic exercise can also aid in the relief of back pain and the maintenance of a healthy pregnancy. When pregnant, don't begin a vigorous exercise program; instead, aim for 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise. Besides musculoskeletal benefits, regular exercise during pregnancy lowers the risk of excessive weight gain, gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia, and pre-term birth while also improving self-image and pain tolerance.
See A Chiropractor in Omaha, NE, During Pregnancy
If you are pregnant and experiencing SI joint pain, chiropractic care is a safe and effective treatment option that is supported by research. Komp Chiropractic and Acupuncture offers chiropractic care to pregnant women in the Omaha, NE, area who want a healthy and comfortable pregnancy. Our reputable chiropractors have treated pregnant women with SI joint pain, low back pain, and other pregnancy-related conditions.
