You may have seen many pregnant women walking with their hands on their lower back. This is not a coincidence. Pregnant women experience discomfort, pains, and aches during the second and third trimester. It is important for pregnant women to understand their joint pains to manage them successfully.
The good thing about pregnancy joint pain is that they are not usually threatening and can be safely managed with a few tips. Joint pain during pregnancy can occur for various reasons. Consult with an expert at hazlet joint pain to understand the underlying cause and determine the best treatment plan.
Causes of joint pain during pregnancy
- Changed center of gravity.
As the baby grows bigger and gets heavier, the center of gravity of your body changes and shifts to your lower back. When the abdominal muscles stretch to make room for the body, your lower back becomes weak. This causes pain.
- Weight gain.
It is a no-brainer that growing a human inside you significantly increases your body weight. Your bones and joints experience new pain from this change, increasing the risk of joint pain.
- Posture challenges.
During pregnancy, your body goes through many changes, one of which is changes in posture. Your posture changes when your belly expands to create extra space for the baby. This can cause pain in the hips and lower back.
Joint pain management during pregnancy
Joint pain or any pain related to your bones can be painful to live with. When you pair it with the complications of pregnancy, leading a normal life can seem impossible. Thankfully, there are safe ways to find relief.
Here are some ways to relieve joint pain during pregnancy:
- Correct your posture.
- Exercise regularly.
- Sleep with a pillow between your legs.
- Use a heating pad for pain relief.
- Get a prenatal massage to relieve muscle aches.
- Consider over-the-counter painkillers.
- Wear supportive footwear.
- Consider acupuncture.
- Rest your body throughout the day.
When should you call a doctor for joint pain?
Understanding the causes of joint pain and pinpointing the root of the cause is the first step to finding a solution. If you have tried relieving your back pain at home using home remedies or medications, and the pain still persists or intensifies, you should consult a doctor immediately.
If your condition worsens, which leads to more symptoms, prevents you from daily activities, etc., there may be a serious underlying issue. It is usually recommended to see a doctor when joint pain lasts for three or four days continuously or recurs several times during a month.
