Middle Back Pain During Pregnancy: Causes and Remedies

Though being pregnant is a 'top-of-the-world' feeling for any woman, it is often associated with many traumas and every woman has to overcome these and then have a reason to smile. Middle back pain and back spasms are the most common discomforting conditions which many experience, almost more than 50% of the women.

The degree of severity of the pain differs from person-to-person and depends also on the baby weight. Though back pain is not fatal, proper treatment prescribed by the gynecologist or any home remedy, might help reduce the pain and make one feel better. Although this condition is a not-so harmful one, it shouldn't be ignored.

• If you are overweight or have a back problem, you might experience this condition.

• The main reason for back pain is hormonal disturbance. Pregnancy leads to maximum hormonal changes. Levels of the pregnancy hormone relaxin rise and causes ligaments of pelvic area to soften and joints near the back smoothen due to water retention. As the uterus is preparing for the baby, the shifts in joints are obvious and cause back pain in most women.

• The spinal cord is responsible for bearing the whole body weight. The back has to support the baby's weight as well, and thus leads to severe pain.
• The center of gravity moves forward with the growing uterus and causes disturbance in the back posture, leading to upper back pain.

• Also, if you have been stressing yourself with work or have been standing for a long time or bending, then you are bound to experience this painful condition. It might also lead to lumbar back pain i.e. lower back pain.
• A condition called posterior pelvic pain can be experienced with severe pain below waistline and the tail bone leading to lower back pain.

• Sometimes, the sciatic nerves at the end of the spine passing through the hip-joint get inflamed. This results in an electric jolt in the buttocks usually only on one side resulting in sharp pain.
• The changes in the breasts as in the growing size of the breasts, results in back pain.

• Also, when the date of delivery is closer,back labor pains are common, which are very uncomfortable and need the doctor's consultation.

• Avoid wearing heels since they are uncomfortable in bearing extra weight.
• Wear a belly support belt.
• Keep your posture upright and correct. Do not just sit at one place. Be active.
• Do not over exert yourself. Take rest.

• Take a treatment from an acupuncturist and chiropractor. This would help relieve pain in the muscles as well body pressure points. Be regular in doing this since it is very effective.
• Undergo pregnancy massage therapy if required.
• Try sleeping on the left side and use a support under your knees, say a sleep-aid pillow.

• Do not go for drug medication therapy, because it might affect the child's health.
• You can visit the gynecologist if the pain is unbearable, as back pain is associated with many other complications and prenatal care is of utmost importance during pregnancy.

You can follow the aforementioned pain-relief measures, that might prove beneficial to reduce the pain. However, this is a part and parcel of being pregnant so don't worry. Also, you should take proper care of yourself as this time it is not just you, but your baby as well.

Disclaimer: This is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.