During pregnancy, serious pain affect about 25%, and severe disability in about 8% of women. During the post partum nearly 7% of all women develop serious problems. The mechanisms that cause disabilities remain unclear. Modifications in muscle activity, abnormal perceptions of the leg with movement, and altered motor coordination were observed but are still poorly understood.
In general, around 45% of all pregnant women and 25% of all postpartum women suffer from pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain and pregnancy-related low back pain (LBP). Contrary to low back pain in pregnancy, the prevalence of pelvic pain in pregnancy was found to be higher in second and later pregnancies. Vigorous work, previous episodes of low back pain, previous lumbopelvic pain during or after pregnancy are risk factors that are strongly correlated with low back pain during and after pregnancy.
Study indicates weak evidence linking epidural anesthesia with low back pain after pregnancy. Low back pain during the post-partum was reported to naturally improve in 3 months in 93% of cases, whereas the 7% who did not get better turned out to be at high risk for persistent severe pain. The general descriptions of pregnancy-related low back pain are: pelvic girdle pain usually presents as “stabbing”; pain located in the lower back is described as a “dull ache”, and pain in the thoracic spine is usually reported as “burning”.
In a group of pregnant women with lumbopelvic and/or thoracic pain, the examiners reported “shooting pain” in 80% of patients, a “feeling of oppression” in 65%, and both “a sharp twinge” and “dull pain” in 50%. Pelvic girdle pain has been reported to be more severe than LBP during pregnancy, while the reverse situation was observed postpartum. Prolonged standing and walking were the most common triggers of pain.
Chiropractic care helps the patients improving pain, discomfort, stiffness and even the baby’s optimal position and the progression of labour.
Dr. D Muller, BSc, DC, Webster Certified, ICPA Member