| Back pain and pregnancy are inevitably related. Two | | | | such, staying relaxed and happy may make you feel |
| out of three women getting pregnant experience this. | | | | better. |
| But thankfully there are general treatments and | | | | - Swimming can be of great help in back pain and |
| exercises that can help reduce or prevent it. | | | | pregnancy. |
| 1. Self Help Strategies | | | | 4. Exercise |
| Generally one should try to reduce physical activities | | | | There are some simple exercises to safely straighten |
| like standing on one leg for long time, climbing stairs, | | | | your back muscles in case of back pain and |
| walking long distances and lifting or carrying weights. In | | | | pregnancy. |
| between your work, try to take short frequent breaks. | | | | - Get on your hands and knees. Lift your right arm up |
| Just take a walk break or get some fresh air. At | | | | so that it is level with your back, and at the same time |
| home, lie down comfortably during such breaks. | | | | lift your left leg high but not higher than the level of |
| 2. Massaging | | | | your hips. Hold this balancing posture for a second. |
| Gently massaging the affected area is the most | | | | Repeat the process for left arm and right leg |
| common cure but its effects tend to be temporary. Be | | | | combination. Repeat 10-15 times. |
| careful; take the massage from an experienced | | | | - Start as before. Inhale slowly and as you exhale, |
| person only. | | | | arch your back upwards. Hold it for 5 seconds and |
| 3. Some Alternate Therapies | | | | repeat 10 to 15 times. |
| - Relax in a warm bath. | | | | - Add a twist to the above exercise by drawing your |
| - Soak a cloth in warm (but not hot) water and place it | | | | right elbow toward your left knee, and vice versa, |
| over the small of your back. | | | | while lifting. |
| - Use alternate medicines like homeopathy or herbal | | | | - Lie on your back. Lift your head and torso six inches |
| pills. | | | | from the ground and hold it for a second. Repeat this |
| - Alexander technique teaches posture control to | | | | 10 to 15 times. |
| improve posture, balance and coordination. Learn this | | | | Caution |
| technique. | | | | Be very careful while going in for any medication or |
| - Reflexology and yoga is also helpful. | | | | exercise during pregnancy. If you experience any |
| - Many pregnant women find relief in acupuncture too, | | | | abdominal discomfort while exercising, stop |
| but its merits are yet to be proved. | | | | immediately and consult your doctor. |
| - Chiropractic treatments can be tried out. | | | | Back pain and pregnancy are closely related but can |
| - Anxiety and depression during pregnancy can also | | | | easily be separated! Just give it a try. |
| be the cause of back pain, sciatica and leg pain. As | | | | |