A new window for women’s health

Farzana (not a real name), 27, got pregnant for the first time. She works in a software company and needs to sit for long period of time to complete his office works. From the very beginning of her pregnancy she has been suffering from back pain, which is increasing day by day as her baby grows up inside, causing disruption in normal activities at office and home. Like Farzana, back pain is a common complaint in the months leading up to delivery, especially during the final trimester and after delivery (in most cases after caesarean section).

Gynecological physiotherapy is a non-surgical treatment for a number of women's health problems. We treat women who  suffer from pregnancy related musculoskeletal problems and women who have problems with  their bladder, bowels, uterine proplapse and many other antenatal and postnatal problems.

Research based evidence and health guidelines recommend that regular physiotherapy exercises are the first line treatment option for post pregnancy pain and parasthesia (an abnormal sensation, typically tingling or pricking like 'pins and needles', caused chiefly by pressure on or damage to peripheral nerves), which is widely used in the developed countries.

Why does back hurt?

Hormones released during pregnancy cause the body's joints and ligaments to become softer and elastic. A growing baby also causes the center of gravity to shift. Abdominal muscle stretches and weakens, which leads to changes in posture and spinal alignment. It results in forward flexion of the hips associated with forward rotation of the pelvis and sacrum. This produces a 'swayback' effect in the lumbar spine and a painful back. If pressure is placed on the sciatic nerve or on a spinal disc, pain may radiate through the hips, buttocks and legs.

How can you prevent back pain during pregnancy?

*  Maintain a reasonable activity level

*  Regular exercises under qualified gynecological physiotherapist's supervision

*  Maintain good posture keeping your shoulders back and buttocks tucked under; when sitting, keep your feet slightly elevated

*  Choose a chair that supports your back and change positions frequently

*  Avoid bend over and lift using the back. Instead, squat using the knees, keeping  back straight as you lift.

The writer is a clinical physiotherapist at CRP, Mirpur, Dhaka.
E-mail: maheenferdausi@yahoo.com