Lower back pain is a common complaint during pregnancy, affecting many expectant mothers. By understanding these causes, expectant mothers can take steps to alleviate lower back pain, such as maintaining proper posture, engaging in gentle exercises, and seeking support from healthcare professionals.
Here are four key reasons behind lower back pain in Wayzata, MN, during pregnancy.
Weight Gain
During pregnancy, women typically gain 25 to 35 pounds. This additional weight puts extra pressure on the spine, leading to lower back pain in Wayzata, MN. The growing baby and uterus also shift the body’s center of gravity, further straining the lower back muscles and ligaments.
Hormonal Changes
Pregnancy triggers the release of hormones, such as relaxin, which loosen the ligaments in the pelvic area to prepare for childbirth. While this is essential for delivery, it can also cause instability and pain in the lower back. The loosened ligaments make it easier for joints to become misaligned, contributing to discomfort.
Postural Changes
As the pregnancy progresses, the body’s posture changes to accommodate the growing baby. This change often results in an exaggerated inward curve of the lower back, known as lordosis. The altered posture increases the stress on the lower back muscles and spine, leading to pain and discomfort.
Muscle Separation
The expanding uterus can cause the rectus abdominis muscles, which run from the ribcage to the pubic bone, to separate along the center seam. This condition, known as diastasis recti, reduces abdominal support for the spine, placing additional strain on the lower back and contributing to pain.
Contact Twin Cities Pain Clinic for relief of lower back pain in Wayzata, MN.