Back Pain & Sciatica During Pregnancy
Alternative Medicine Options During Pregnancy
Having a baby is supposed to be one of the most anticipated times of a woman's life. However, for some woman the physical aches and pains that can come with being pregnant can steal those precious moments of excitement away. During the gestational period, most women are unable to take many medicines, whether prescribed or over the counter. So, what types of treatment options are available to remedy the ailments, aches and pains? It is during pregnancy when many women turn to alternative medicine to help them with migraines, sinus conditions, back or neck pain, sciatica, and carpal tunnel syndrome to name a few.
As pregnancy advances, pregnant women secrete many hormones that allow the body to accommodate to the ever growing fetus within the uterus. One of these hormones is relaxin. While progesterone strengthens the pelvic walls in preparation for labor and stops the uterus from contracting, relaxin helps to relax the pubic ligaments and soften and enlarge the opening to the cervix which can be a double edged sword. Relaxin is necessary to allow the baby's heads to pass through the pelvis during delivery but this hormone's effects are not just localized to the pelvis; relaxin levels continue to increase as pregnancy advances potentially making women more vulnerable to global ligamentous injury as a result of their new found flexibility. Two major structures help to support joints: muscles and ligaments. If the ligaments are now in a more relaxed state, the major factor supporting the joints is the muscles. For many pregnant women, strengthening the muscles that help to support the low back and the pelvis is not only critical to help endure the long labor and delivery ahead but also helps to support the back and pelvis both before giving birth and helps to aid in the post-partum rehabilitation after the little bundle of joy has arrived. This type of rehabilitation is a specialized form called functional rehabilitation. It works within your body's limits to help correct postural strain by teaching proper body mechanics in "real world" settings. By strengthening the supporting muscles in this functional manner a lot of the strain on the joints and the pelvis can be alleviated.
Back pain that can arise during pregnancy can also be a result of muscle weakness due to the ever changing posture (and due to the expansion of the abdomen) that then compresses the joints of the spine together. These joints are highly invested with pain generators and when they are approximated too closely, can be a source of back pain itself. Chiropractic adjustments, which are safe for most pregnant women to receive during pregnancy, can be a great source of pain relief. The adjustment works by physically gapping the joint in question, temporarily reliving the compression at that level. The effects of the adjustment are however not just physical; there is also a neurological effect that helps spasmodic muscles in the local area relax as well as helps the body produce endorphins and enkephalins which are natural pain killers.
Occasionally the pain can travel down the leg along the distribution of the sciatic nerve causing "sciatica." This painful pins and needles sensation can travel down to the foot and makes it difficult to walk. Determining the cause of the sciatic pain should be left to the trained professional. Chiropractors are able to do some simple test to determine if the leg pain is coming from a tight piriformis muscle, a herniated disc or something as simple as joint compression in the low back, all of which are mostly treatable with chiropractic adjustments and functional rehabilitation.
Acupuncture is also another very safe and effective way to eliminate the pain related to back and sciatic nerve problems. Small sterile single-usage needles are placed in certain areas of the body (called acupuncture points) along energy channels called meridians. These needles are used to help enable the flow of qi (pronounced chee) or energy to flow more effectively within these channels thus allowing the body to heal itself.
So, with so many alternative measures out there (chiropractic, acupuncture, functional rehabilitation), how do you know which ones are the best for you? Trial and error is your best bet. Call to speak to the doctor in question to establish a rapport. Ask about their training, i.e. do they have any specialties or special credentialing. What is their success rate with your condition? What services do they offer in their office? What are their hours and where are they located in relation to your work or home? Once you feel comfortable and have at least most of your questions answered, take the initiative to enjoy your pregnancy to it's fullest; because in a few short months that sleep deprivation will get to you!
