The joy of being pregnant can sometimes be overshadowed by some of the physical ailments that may accompany the condition. Having back pain can cause a lot of misery to the pregnant woman, and cause her to not enjoy this special time, but thankfully there are ways to relieve back pain during pregnancy. Here are 5 ways to support your back during pregnancy.
Maternity Support Belt
As the baby grows, the centre of gravity changes and this could mean that you are overcompensating by leaning backward, or perhaps the weight of the baby is pulling your spinal cord out of alignment. A maternity support belt can help to support the weight of the baby and help to keep the back aligned. Check out maternitysale.com.au for information about maternity support belts and other ways you can support your body as it changes.
Regular Exercise
Regular light exercise is a great way to keep your muscles supple while your body changes with the pregnancy. There are specific yoga classes that are focused towards supporting the body during the pregnancy changes, and will help to keep your back feeling as good as it can. A light walk every day is also a good way of keeping yourself fit during pregnancy.
Sleep on Your Side
During pregnancy it is advised not to sleep on your back. Initially this is so that the weight is not pushing your spinal cord out of alignment, but as your belly grows you will find that it is too uncomfortable to sleep on your back. At this time you will need to sleep on your side, with a pillow under your stomach to support it.
Wear Flat Shoes
Wearing sturdy, flat shoes will help a lot with keeping your back in good order as your body grows and changes. If you are used to wearing high heels before pregnancy then this could take some getting used to, but will be well worth the change. The weight of a growing pregnancy body will mean that your feet will spread out to lend support, and often women do go up a shoe size while they are pregnant. Also try to make sure that the flat shoes are ones that have good arch support, as you will need as much help as you can get during this time.
Get Some Help
Pregnancy is a time in life where you need support, so don’t be afraid to ask for what your body needs. Often in life we have so many things to do that we may forget to listen to our body and hear what it really needs. A weekly or monthly massage could do a lot to relieve the stress on the back, and will ensure that you are able to weather the nine months of pregnancy without becoming a total wreck. A regular appointment with a good chiropractor during pregnancy will also help to keep the body in shape as it grows and the pregnancy belly develops, and will be worth the money that you invest in looking after yourself.
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