Back pain during pregnancy occurs in a significant number of women at various stages of pregnancy.
Statistically speaking, every other pregnant woman experiences back pain during pregnancy. Back pain during pregnancy is an expected condition and may be a result of:
- Sudden increase in body weight
- Hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy
- Increased pressure on the spinal column
- Changes in pelvic position
In certain cases, these changes in a woman's body during pregnancy can contribute to the development of herniated disc conditions due to increased pressure on the discs, especially if a mild disc protrusion already existed before the onset of pregnancy.
Below, you can find out why herniated discs occur during pregnancy and what their main symptoms are.
Additionally, you will learn whether herniated disc conditions can be treated during pregnancy.
What is a herniated disc?
Herniated disc conditions occur when the soft inner part of the disc protrudes from its usual position.
Discs are ring-like cushions located between vertebrae, acting as shock absorbers and enabling the flexibility of the spinal column.
After a disc "leaks," nerve compression occurs, leading to an intense sensation of pain.
Pregnancy increases the load on the back, so symptoms may first appear or worsen during pregnancy.
Disc herniation can occur in the neck area, known as cervical syndrome or cervical disc herniation.
Another type of disc herniation is lumbar disc herniation, which occurs in the lower back region.
Here are the main symptoms of lumbar and cervical disc herniation that can occur even during pregnancy:
- Neck pain
- Tingling in the legs and back pain
- Chronic back pain
- Back pain when bending
- Tingling in the hands
- Stiffness in the neck
- Ringing in the ears
- Middle back pain
- Shoulder pain
- Lower back pain
- Upper back pain between the shoulder blades
- Tingling in the hands and back pain
- Muscle weakness
- Stiffness in the lower back
These symptoms may indicate the presence of disc herniation, and timely consultation with a physiatrist is crucial even during pregnancy.
As mentioned earlier, back and stomach pain during pregnancy is a common occurrence and can be incorrectly characterized as a symptom of disc herniation.
How to reduce back pain during pregnancy? There are several recommendations and tips for pregnant women to ease the days when facing back pain during pregnancy.
But first and foremost, it is necessary to recognize the difference between benign pain and disc herniation symptoms.
The following symptoms are common and most likely do not indicate the occurrence of disc herniation during pregnancy:
- Mild back pain in the first trimester of pregnancy
- Occasional back pain early in pregnancy
- Mild back pain in the stomach during pregnancy
- Mild lower back and stomach pain during pregnancy
- Moderate back pain in the 8th month of pregnancy
- Occasional back and stomach pain during pregnancy
- Occasional back pain in early pregnancy during movement
Accurate diagnosis of disc herniation can only be conducted through a specialist examination by a physiatrist.
The doctor will recommend specific diagnostic procedures to confidently determine the presence of disc herniation.
As mentioned earlier, mild pains should not be a cause for concern; however, in certain situations, seeking professional help is advisable.
The following symptoms may indicate the occurrence of disc herniation during pregnancy:
- Severe back pain during pregnancy
- Intense lower back pain during pregnancy
- Severe back pain in the 9th month of pregnancy
- Upper back pain during pregnancy
- Intense right-sided back pain during pregnancy
- Constant right-sided back pain during pregnancy
- Severe back pain in the ninth month of pregnancy that suddenly occurred
Increase in Body Weight and Hormonal Changes Affect the Spine
During pregnancy, a woman's body undergoes significant hormonal changes, including an increase in the secretion of a hormone called relaxin.
This hormone promotes the softening of joints and ligaments to facilitate the easier passage of the baby through the birth canal.
These hormonal changes can contribute to the development of disc herniation. In addition to hormonal changes, the increase in body weight during pregnancy creates additional pressure on the spine, increasing the risk of disc herniation.
Moreover, the pregnant belly alters the center of balance, affecting a woman's body posture, further straining the spine and increasing pressure on intervertebral discs.
Pregnant women are usually advised to begin disc herniation treatment only after childbirth. Ideally, the treatment process should commence three to four months after the end of pregnancy.
Although disc herniation treatment is conducted after pregnancy, a pregnant woman experiencing intense back pain should consult a physiatrist as soon as possible.
At a physiatrist examination at Fizionova Center, our expert team will provide useful advice on relieving back pain during pregnancy and preventing the development of further complications.
You can also receive information about the innovative FSWT therapy that restores dead blood vessels and heals disc herniation twice as fast, with application beginning after pregnancy.
Treatment of Disc Herniation at Fizionova Center with FSWT Therapy
The treatment of disc herniation can be conducted by practicing therapeutic methods such as physical therapy, lifestyle changes, and the use of pain and anti-inflammatory medications.
In more severe cases, when the mentioned approaches are ineffective or when a serious neurological problem exists, it is necessary to consider surgical intervention.
FSWT therapy represents a revolution in the field of physical therapy and disc herniation treatment, sparing many of our patients from undergoing surgery.
The innovative FSWT therapy, using focused acoustic waves, restores blood vessels in the painful region, rapidly reduces pain, and thereby resolves the issue of disc herniation.
Preventing Disc Herniation During Pregnancy with Expert Assistance
If you recognize any of the mentioned symptoms and suspect disc herniation, our team of top-notch experts, doctors, and therapists is available to provide help and support.
We will assist you with expert advice to alleviate pain and teach you how to implement preventive measures to prevent complications.
If it is determined during a specialist examination that the condition does exist, our team will explain the treatment procedure on the spot and advise on the optimal time to begin treatment.
Our team is here to help and support you in spending your pregnancy days without back pain.
SCHEDULE A PHYSIATRIST'S EXAMINATION
Dr Jelena Kluz-Đurđević, a specialist in physical medicine
After a conversation with the patient, Dr. Jelena will conduct an examination to obtain a more comprehensive view of your health status, helping to determine whether it's an injury or a diagnosis.
The examination lasts for 30 minutes and includes:
Schedule a specialist examination by calling 011 2100 588 for the cost of 4,000 RSD.