Prenatal Back Pain

Roughly half of all pregnant woman report suffering from low back pain at some point during their pregnancy. Doctors agree that pregnancy related low back pain is often caused by a condition known as sacroiliac joint dysfunction. The sacroiliac joint is formed by the sacrum (tailbone) and the two iliac bones (hipbones). Large fluctuations of hormones occur during pregnancy, which relaxes the muscles, joints, and ligaments of the pregnant woman’s body. These hormones increase allowing the pelvis to open wide enough to permit the proper delivery of the baby. This relaxation, along with weight gain, postural changes, and stretching of abdominal musculature, disrupts the normal alignment of the spine and pelvis. This disruption stresses the joints, ligaments and muscles producing pain.