How to relieve your back pain in pregnancy with acupuncture

Back pain during pregnancy affects more than two thirds of pregnant women! It can range from being very mild to incredibly debilitating. More than half of women that experience back pain during pregnancy report that it interferes with daily activity, sleep and the ability to remain in the workplace. Unfortunately for 25% of women, back pain can continue during postpartum.

As many people know, pain is an acupuncturist bread and butter and that is no different when it comes to back pain in pregnancy. In this article we will take a deep dive into how acupuncture can support you during your pregnancy.

What causes back pain in pregnancy?  

There are several factors that can contribute to back pain:

Hormonal changes: Hormones like relaxin and progesterone are produced in larger quantities during pregnancy. While they help to relax the uterine muscles, they also relax the ligaments that support the spine and pelvis which can contribute to instability and discomfort.

Your growing body: As a woman’s body changes to accommodate the growing baby, the added weight can place extra stress on the back and pelvis contributing to discomfort.

Posture changes: Throughout pregnancy, the weight of your baby and weakening of abdominal muscles pulls your lower spine forward, adding strain to the back muscles. Many women try to accommodate this weight and posture change by leaning back, adding excess strain to the muscles and ligaments in the back.

Pre-existing conditions: Many women with a history of back pain can be more susceptible to pregnancy related back pain. However, this doesn’t mean that if you’ve had back pain in the past, you will definitely experience pain during pregnancy.  

How can acupuncture help?

Acupuncture offers a safe, effective, non-invasive and, whole-body approach to managing pain. In 2015, a Cochrane systemic review presented that acupuncture improved pelvic and back pain more than usual prenatal care. This is due to acupuncture working to support the nervous system, enhance blood flow and circulation, and triggering the release of endorphins to reduce pain. Additionally, acupuncture is a treatment which has minimal side effects, given the added bonus given many medications on offer due to pregnancy.

In my acupuncture practise at Elgin House Women’s Health Specialists, I incorporate the Chinese Medicine techniques of cupping and massage alongside acupuncture to enhance its therapeutic effect. If you’re pregnant and experiencing back pain, consider exploring acupuncture as part of your holistic healthcare support, in consultation with your obstetrician and midwifery care.

For further reading – have a look at this article the Guardian posted:.  https://www.theguardian.com/society/2022/nov/21/acupuncture-relieves-back-and-pelvic-pain-during-pregnancy-study-suggests