1. Darcee Schmidt Logan College of Chiropractic

2.  50-70% pregnant females report back pain at some point  Those with the most pain tend to have more trouble with daily activities  Typically starts early and progresses throughout  The most common reason was dysfunction of the sacroiliac joint  Those with previous back pain are at a greater risk

3.  Sacroiliac joint (SI)  Lumbar Spine  Hip  Sacrum  Poor posture  Biomechanics

4.  Hormones  Shift in center of gravity  Increased weight  Posture  Stress

5.  Aka gestational back pain is a significant and common problem  Non-pharmaceutical treatments are the first option  Chiropractic  Posture changes  Accupuncture  Physiotherapy  Yoga  Wang, SM. (2003). Backaches related to pregnancy: the risk factors, etiologies, treatments and controversial issues. Curr Opin anaesthesiol. June;16(3):269-73

6.  Standing long periods of time  Forward bending posture  Lifting heavy objects

7.  In late pregnancy you have a decreased range of forward bending  Trunk rotation decreases when sitting  Bending forward and rotating requires the greatest effort in pregnant women.  Late pregnancy: Stand with hips pushed backwards and with the trunk and shoulders flexed forward  Increased front to back curve in lumbar spine

8.  Good posture  Proper gear  Proper lifting  Sleep on your side with pillow between legs  Ice or heat  EXERCISE  Keep weight gain within doctors regulations  Relax  Complementary therapies

9.  If you were following an exercise program before becoming pregnant you should be able to continue  If just starting, start slow  Listen to your body  Don’t exert yourself to exhaustion or breathlessness  Avoid uneven surfaces  http://www.americanpregnancy.org/pregnancyhealth/exe rciseguidelines.html http://www.americanpregnancy.org/pregnancyhealth/exe rciseguidelines.html

10.  Avoid back exercises in 2 nd and 3 rd trimesters  Utilize stretching and relaxation before and after working out  Weight train to improve tone  Upper body  Avoid over the head lifting  Low impact is preferred  Will help body return to natural state after delivery  http://www.cloudninemarketing.com/healthhealersnews/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/51.jpg

11.  Excellent way for mom to adapt to her body’s changes  Provides stress relieve and calms the body  Strengthens the body  Release tension in hips  Increases circulation  May establish connection between mom and baby  http://www.eternity-yoga.com/yoga-during-pregnancy.html http://www.eternity-yoga.com/yoga-during-pregnancy.html

12.  Yes  Expecting moms who practice yoga (meditation, physical postures, and breathing) have fewer preterm labors, higher birth weights, and less complications (such as intrauterine growth retardation and pregnancy induced hypertension)  Narendran S, Nagarathna R, Narendran V, Gunasheela S, Nagendra HR (2005). Efficacy of yoga on pregnancy outcome. Journal of Alternative & Complementary Medicine. Apr;11(2):237-44

13.  Studies have shown that, because all pelvic joints loosen during pregnancy, use of a sacroiliac belt may prevent pain during and after pregnancy  Using a pelvic belt after giving birth decreased pain in 67% of moms  J.M.A Mens, et al 19  Snidjers, et al 1992, Vleeming, et al 1990, Hansen JH 1992

14.  Webster Technique  Restore pelvic balance and function  Can be effective and is safe in relieving the consequences of intrauterine constraint (i.e., malposition/malpresentation) in pregnancy

15. Many pregnant females show great relief with other chiropractic techniques (Basic, SOT, Diversified, Thompson, Activator, etc.) For more information go to www.icpa4kids.com

16.  May help turn a breech baby  May decrease morning sickness  May help induce labor  May help decrease pain  Helps maintain balance

17. Stretch your back and muscles Strengthen your core

18.  Back pain is common in pregnancy  Caused by changing biomechanics  Many ways to help decrease pain  Exercise  SI belt  Chiropractic  Acupuncture  Strengthening and stretching