COMMON ACHES & PAINS IN PREGNANCY:
Most of Musculoskeletal ailments experienced during pregnancy are usually temporary and caused by hormonal changes and the extra strain your body is under. Some of the common ailments are listed below:
1. UPPER & LOWER BACK PAIN:
It is very common to get backache or back pain during pregnancy, especially in the early stages.
⭕CAUSES:
1. During pregnancy, the ligaments in your body naturally become softer and stretch to prepare you for labour. This can put a strain on the joints of your lower back and pelvis, which can cause back pain.
2. In the later stages of pregnancy, as your baby grows the centre of gravity shifts forward causing more load on your lower back and thereby causing discomfort.
3. Upper back pain can be caused as a result of compensating posture for the misaligned lower back or it can be because of the increase in your breast size during pregnancy that causes you to curl forward as a result of which upper back is strained.
✅TREATMENT:
1. Posture correction usually helps in relieving the upper or lower back pain in pregnancy.
2. Core strengthening exercises will help to take the load off your back.
3. Stretching exercises will help with relieving the stiffness in your back muscles.
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2. SACROILIAC JOINT PAIN IN PREGNANCY:
⭕CAUSES:
1. Sacroiliac joint pain in pregnancy may be related to relaxin, a hormone that causes your muscles and ligaments to relax allow space for your growing fetus so if they are relaxed it can lead to joint instability which can cause other surrounding muscles tight for compensation, and this can cause pain
2. Due to the growing uterus, some of the core muscles around the pelvis get stretched and weakened.
3. Moreover, the additional weight and altered walking pattern associated with pregnancy can cause significant mechanical strain on the sacroiliac joints, which may result in SIJ inflammation, giving a deep ache in the posterior pelvis.
⭕SYMPTOMS:
1. Deep, boring pain in the back of the pelvis (around the sacroiliac joints)
2. Pain may occasionally radiate to the groin and thighs.
3. The pain is typically worse with standing, walking, climbing stairs, resting on one leg, wearing pants while standing, getting in and out of a low chair, rolling over and twisting in bed, and lifting. The pain improved when lying down.
✅TREATMENT:
1. The first-line treatment of pregnancy-related sacroiliac joint dysfunction is Exercise that focus on Core Stability of the trunk and pelvic girdle.
2. Exercises will form a large part of the treatment and in some cases, mobilization (a gentler form of manipulation) of your hip, back or pelvis may be used to correct any underlying movement dysfunction.
3. Kinesio- taping can be used in the acute phase to provide dynamic stability along with the exercises.
4. Sometimes, a Sacroiliac belt is prescribed to complement the core stability exercises and to give quick pain relief.
🚫Avoid single leg weight-bearing activities to decrease the load on the joint.
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3. CALF CRAMPS IN PREGNANCY🤰
-Cramps are the involuntary contractions or the sudden tightening of muscles present in your body.
-These aches are most common in the leg muscles during pregnancy.
-Many pregnant women get calf cramps that often strike at night during their second and third trimesters.
⭕CAUSES:
1. Dehydration
2. Excess weight
3. A mineral imbalance in the body
4. Pressure on the nerves and blood vessels in the leg exerted by the expanding uterus and growing child
5. Weight gain related to pregnancy
6. Swelling from fluid build-up in your legs, known as edema
7. If you have a multiple pregnancy and are carrying more than one child; such women also have more amniotic fluid to accommodate the foetuses, and hence may experience leg cramps and edema that’s worse than normal.
⭕SYMPTOMS:
-These spasms can radiate up and down your calves during the day, but they’re usually more noticeable at night, when fatigue and fluid accumulation is more.
✅TREATMENT:
1. Drink plenty of water.
2. Exercise and stretch regularly.
3. Sit comfortably with your legs elevated.
4. Wear stockings to support your legs.
5. A soothing massage for your calves and feet helps.
6. Applying local heat with a gel pack or hot water bottle.
7. Choose proper footwear, which offers comfort, support, and utility.
8. Avoid pointing toes down or standing on toes during a cramp.
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4. CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME (CTS) IN PREGNANCY:
Wrist pain is more common in pregnancy which can be due to CTS. When you are pregnant the nerve in your wrist can become squashed (compressed) due to extra fluid and swelling.
⭕SYMPTOMS:
1. Pins and needles - often in your index and middle fingers.
2. Numbness - often in your index and middle fingers.
3. Pain in your fingers and thumbs.
4. Burning sensation in the fingers.
5. Weakness of the muscles that control your thumb, which can affect your grip strength.
🔸Symptoms may affect both hands. One may be worse than the other. Pain is especially common at night.
✅TREATMENT:
You can manage your symptoms during pregnancy by:
1. Exercises
2. Avoiding repetitive tasks like excessive squeezing, gripping & wringing.
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5. INTERCOSTAL/ RIB PAIN DURING PREGNANCY:🤰
-Pregnancy rib pain can be the result of your baby physically kicking you in the ribs, stretching out under your ribs, or just moving by your ribs.😩 The pain can also be caused by your muscles stretching out. In some rare cases, it might be caused by a medical complication.
-Differential diagnosis- The medical conditions that can present as rib pain are Round ligament pain, Gallstones, Urinary tract infections, Heart burn, Constipation & Pre-eclampsia. Please connect with your Gynaecologist for accurate diagnosis!
⭕CAUSES:
1. Pressure from the growing fetus.
2. Position of the Fetus: Baby kicks in the head down position can cause pressure over ribs.
⭕SYMPTOMS:
1. Mild to moderate pain around your lower rib region is commonly experienced due the size and position of the baby as mentioned above. For coping or preventing this type of pain you can exercise with an expert.
2. If the pain is severe, it can be indicative of liver or heart disease and you should immediately approach a doctor.
✅TREATMENT:
1. Cryotherapy (icing)
2. Deep tissue release
3. Breathing Exercises
4. Stretching Exercises.