Lower back hurts after childbirth than to treat. Why does back pain appear after childbirth? Back exercises

Back pain is one of the most common reasons for visiting doctors of various specialties. Most often, we have to talk about unpleasant sensations in the lower back, but other departments also suffer. There are many reasons for the appearance of such symptoms - from osteochondrosis to cancer. Why does my back hurt after childbirth, what to do and how to prevent this?

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Osteochondrosis as a cause of pain

Many people associate back pain with radiculitis, hernias, etc. Indeed, all these are separate manifestations of spinal osteochondrosis. It is difficult to prevent these degenerative changes in bone and cartilage tissue, these diseases are a kind of "payback" of a person for walking upright.

As a result of osteochondrosis, the nerve roots of the spinal cord are compressed, which causes pain in a certain part of the body. It can be both intercostal neuralgia and an acute attack of radiculitis with unpleasant sensations in the legs.

Most often, the first serious manifestations of osteochondrosis begin to appear precisely at the age of 20 - 30 years. This is facilitated by the fact that during pregnancy and childbirth, a woman experiences increased stress on the spine.

The main provoking points for the progression of osteochondrosis:

Cause	Why arises
Overweight	During pregnancy, the arrow of the scales tends upward, despite the fact that normally, during the period of gestation, it is enough to gain up to 12 - 15 kg. Each creates additional stress on the spinal column, discs and cartilage wear out faster. And due to the peculiarities of their blood supply, they cannot be restored.
A growing uterus with a fetus, while a woman has a "proud gait"	This is due to a shift in the center of gravity. As a result, pregnant women often complain of pain in the lower back and sacrum. And if initially there were some changes in this area, then even after childbirth, the discomfort does not go away. On the contrary, sometimes the attacks become even worse.
Flat feet	With an increase in gestational age and in the process of increasing body weight, the load on the foot becomes greater. As a result, physiological temporary flat feet are formed. And this is another reason for the increased load on the lower back. After childbirth, not all women can cope with the increasing body weight, as a result, flat feet are only progressing.
Sedentary lifestyle	Physical inactivity is the lot not only of pregnant women, but of society as a whole. And to maintain the health of the spine, movement is necessary. Therefore, yoga, walking, swimming, etc. are ideal for preventing back pain during pregnancy and then after childbirth.

Thus, in 70 - 80% of cases of back pain, the cause lies in osteochondrosis. It can be any part: cervical, thoracic (most often between the shoulder blades), lumbar, sacral.

The following factors after childbirth, in addition to those listed earlier, will provoke the onset of symptoms:

• Uncomfortable positions while feeding the baby.
• Significant breast size and plus its increase during lactation. In this case, a woman may indicate that after childbirth, the back hurts in the area of \u200b\u200bthe shoulder blades, just at the place of pressure from the bra. These are manifestations of chest osteochondrosis.
• Sleeping place with irregularities. It is best to have an orthopedic mattress that will prevent back pain.
• Also, if a woman swaddles, changes clothes or bathes a baby, while bending down strongly, the load on the lower back and sacrum also increases.

Other possible causes in different departments

In addition to degenerative changes in the spine, after childbirth, back may also hurt for other reasons.

Upper torso

If discomfort is felt in the thoracic region and shoulders, the following ailments can provoke similar conditions:

• Myositis can occur both as a result of the uncomfortable position of a woman, and during hypothermia, as well as through ventilation. In this case, pain is felt with certain movements in which the inflamed muscle is involved.
• Scoliosis is formed in childhood, while the girl does not always know about its presence, especially in the initial stages. After childbirth and an increased load on the back, pain appears in the most altered sections.
• The constant forced position can lead to muscle spasm, which also entails pain.
• Pathology of the lungs, esophagus can also manifest as back pain. It can be both acute pathology (for example, or pleurisy), and chronic sluggish diseases (including tuberculosis, etc.).
• Cancer pathology that a woman may not know about. Back pain can be caused both by the focus itself and by metastases. After childbirth, this is less common, but still happens (oncology of the blood, bones, etc.).

Small of the back

Most often, one has to deal with pain localized in the lower back and sacrum.

Almost everyone associates them with the spine, but the reason may lie elsewhere. If after childbirth the back hurts in the lumbar region, the following diseases cannot be excluded without examination:

• Pancreatic pathology. In this case, the pains are localized immediately under the ribs, are of a shingles in nature. Nausea, vomiting, and bloating appear. If it is chronic pancreatitis, all symptoms are not so pronounced, up to minor pulling pains and some signs of indigestion.
• Kidney problems can also radiate to the back. This is especially true for acute and urolithiasis. In the first case, the woman notes that her back hurts after childbirth, her body temperature has increased, and general signs of intoxication. Moreover, all the symptoms appear suddenly. very often aggravates immediately after childbirth and during pregnancy. This is facilitated by changes in the woman's body during this period.
• In the same way as in the thoracic region, myositis and various oncological processes occur.

Sacrum

As for the sacral region, most often pain occurs due to the following pathologies:

• , which after childbirth must be treated very wary. In this case, against the background of pain, discharge will appear, often. , weakness, nausea and other symptoms appear.
• After childbirth, sometimes a woman has to deal with (symphysiopathy, symphysiolysis and other terms are used). In this case, pain will not always be localized only in the pubic region. As a rule, all pelvic joints experience similar changes and stresses. This causes pain immediately after delivery and can last for up to several months.
• Diseases of the rectum (, proctitis, anal fissure and others) can also worsen after childbirth and give pain.
• Bladder pathology. Most often it is that can recur in the background. Also, inflammation and pain is provoked by catheterization after a cesarean section and even just urine excretion as a prevention of bleeding.

It is quite difficult to figure out why the back hurts after childbirth. Even a specialist needs, in addition to collecting complaints and a general examination, additional research to find out the reasons for such feelings.

Where to go for help

If back pain bothers a young mother constantly, and she cannot find the reason for this, or if something confuses her, it is necessary to consult a doctor. Only a specialist after an additional examination will be able to suggest or establish a pathology and prescribe the most effective treatment. Any delay can seriously aggravate the situation.

If your back hurts after childbirth, you need to go through the following specialists:

• therapist or family doctor,
• neurologist,
• gynecologist.

All other specialists are only on indications when a specific disease is suspected.

When determining the causes of pain in most cases, the following additional examinations are necessary:

• general blood and urine tests, if necessary, more specific;
• ultrasound examination of the pelvis and sometimes other internal organs;
• fluorography of the lungs;
• x-ray examination of a specific part of the spine;
• CT and MRI of the required part of the body.

Only after analyzing all the conclusions can one judge about a disease.

Watch the video on how to get rid of pain:

Solutions to the problem

Treatment depends on the cause of the back pain. Self-prescribing drugs or procedures can in some cases do more harm than good.

Drug treatment

The following medicines are used:

• Most often, women with the appearance of pain and their growing nature take analgesicsto continue to lead a normal life. These can be pain relievers (analgin and the like), antispasmodics (drotaverine, no-shpa and others), as well as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (ketones, diclofenac, etc.). The latter help the most with complicated osteochondrosis.
• Muscle relaxants help relieve muscle spasm that is present in many conditions. More often than others, midocalm and the like are used.
• Antibacterial drugs for the treatment of various kinds of inflammatory processes, including in the pelvic area, urinary system, etc.
• Calcium preparations. The need for this microelement during pregnancy greatly increases, so all "mother's reserves" are spent on the needs of the baby. As a result, osteoporosis may begin to appear, which leads to an aggravation of osteochondrosis. During lactation, it is useful to take calcium complexes, as well as enrich the diet with foods containing this trace element.

But you should always remember that it is optimal to take it together with vitamin D. Without it, calcium is not absorbed, even if it is supplied in sufficient quantities.

• Various kinds of chondroprotectors, which are used for osteochondrosis to strengthen cartilage tissue . So you can stop the progression of the disease, so these funds are more suitable for preventing relapse. Aflutop, chondromix and others are often used.
• Vitamins, usually group B, A, E, C. They are useful for women as restorative therapy after childbirth, they also improve the conduction of nerve impulses, thereby relieving pain.

Sometimes more serious treatment is needed, including surgery, for example, when tumors are detected, with dysfunction of the pubic symphysis and many other pathologies.

Manual therapy

Manual therapy can help, for example, if the lower back hurts after childbirth, between the shoulder blades or in another part of the spine. But specialists in this field can only help if there are problems in the bones, joints, ligaments, muscles, as well as the nerve endings connecting them. This is not a panacea for all diseases, so the indications should be taken quite strictly.

An ordinary therapist will refer you to a chiropractor, if possible, and this will really help in this case. So, most often the following conditions are indications:

• Acute or chronic pain in the lumbar region, which can radiate to the leg, pelvis and lead to numbness and decreased sensitivity of the lower extremities.
• Restriction of movement in some part of the spine.
• Headaches associated with osteochondrosis, etc.
• Discomfort in the interscapular region and others.

In addition, you can connect other methods of alternative medicine: acupuncture, acupuncture, hirudotherapy, as well as various methods of physiotherapy.

ethnoscience

Traditional medicine also has a large number of recipes for pain relief. The compositions have a multidirectional effect - relieve spasm, improve blood circulation, reduce the pain threshold of sensitivity, relieve pain, etc.

Infusions

St. John's wort helps to cope with pain that occurs against the background of overwork, lack of sleep, overexertion, etc. Including it has an antidepressant effect.

• Recipe. You should take 2 tbsp. l. dried leaves of St. John's wort and pour 500 ml of hot water, then let it brew for 6 - 8 hours in a dark place. Then take the resulting solution in 200 ml twice a day.

Wool products

The main effect of such clothes is warming and a kind of massage. If you wrap the sore part of the back, blood circulation improves in this place, there is a slight anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect. There are special belts, as well as jackets, etc.

Compresses

This is one of the popular ways to deal with back pain. In addition to the thermal effect, you can get the therapeutic effect of the main components.

• Recipe 1.You should take thyme, chamomile and St. John's wort, pour hot water and let it brew for a while. Then use the resulting solution for compresses on the sore part of the back.
• Recipe 2. Ordinary mustard plasters or powder must be applied to the area of \u200b\u200bconcern. All sorts of distracting adhesive plasters (pepper, etc.) will do.
• Recipe 3. It is also effective to rub the painful areas. To do this, you need to take 40 ml of an alcoholic solution of valerian, 50 drops of iodine and add hot pepper. Let the mixture brew in a dark place for 24 - 48 hours, after which it can be used.

Prevention

If back pain is associated with some kind of organic pathology, it can hardly be prevented or prevented. But as for the various manifestations of osteochondrosis, the advice for young mothers will be as follows:

• It is necessary to organize a convenient place both for changing the crumbs, and for feeding, sleeping, bathing. It is important to adjust them in height. A woman should always be in a comfortable position for herself. Otherwise, the additional load cannot be avoided.
• It should also be remembered that every extra kilogram is an additional test for the spine. Therefore, after childbirth, you should bring your weight back to normal as much as possible.
• Physical inactivity greatly aggravates all diseases of the spine and generally reduces the level of health. Therefore, women should move as much as possible. You don't have to go to gyms, walking, jogging, doing yoga at home, etc. is enough. It is important to create an additional muscle framework for the back, then even with significant changes in the spine, pain will be minimal.
• It is better to carry the baby not just on the hands, but in various slings and other similar attachments.

If a woman notes that her legs and back hurt after childbirth, most often the problem is in an uncomfortable or not quite rationally arranged life. And this ill-fated intensifies the manifestations of osteochondrosis. In some situations, a few tablets of pain relievers and a warming compress are enough - and the pain will go away.

But in case of ineffectiveness of the measures used, you should consult a doctor. Only a specialist can finally understand the disease and prescribe the most optimal treatment.

Lumbar pain is familiar to almost everyone. They can overtake at any age, occur periodically, be connected by connections with a certain pathology or not related to the disease. For example, lower back pain can result from too intensely-strenuous training, or if a person, while working in the country, was in a sitting position for a long time, caught a cold, or was in a draft. But there is a condition that will almost certainly cause low back pain in the female part of humanity - pregnancy and childbirth. Postpartum pulling pain in the lower back has several causes.

Occasional non-pathological pain conditions can most often be dealt with on their own, with the help of painkillers. If the pain is seriously worrisome, is not relieved by anabolic steroids, it occurs often and interferes with normal life, you need to go to the doctor, establish a reliable cause and look for pathology. There can be many causes of low back pain syndrome, and not all of them are safe for the overall health of the body.

By the way. is a symptom. The lumbar is no exception. It is necessary to react to it, to stop, finding out why it has arisen. In order for the symptom to pass, it is necessary to get rid of the condition that caused it.

The state of pregnancy and childbirth is not a pathological, but a natural process. However, it is he who becomes the most common cause of lumbar pain in women.

During pregnancy, the female body undergoes a complete restructuring. Concentrates on the task of bearing and giving birth to a child, adjusts his functions and needs to it.

In this regard, the hormonal background changes, the uterus increases in size, and the internal organs move under its pressure. The skeletal system is adjusted for childbirth, softening and moving apart, if possible (bones in the small pelvis). The condition of the back muscles and the entire lower tier of the spine does not remain the same as before pregnancy.

Important! Almost any kind of pain that occurs in the lower back during pregnancy, during the labor process and after it (natural, with the exception of pathological), it is more likely discomfort than a full-fledged syndrome. Recreational exercise, regimen, and timing help to cope with them in most episodes. But some postpartum conditions with persistent pain require immediate, careful treatment.

Why do women in labor suffer from back

Pillows and armchairs for mothers

So, a complete physiological restructuring, preparation of the body for childbirth, the process of resolving from pregnancy, restoration and return of the body to its previous indicators - all these are stresses at the physiological level that a woman experiences for almost one year, while pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period lasts.

By the way. It is with the restructuring of physiology that pains are associated, especially those following generic ones, which are felt in the lower back. However, their strength cannot but be affected by their lifestyle and the presence of diseases. The second reason is precisely the various pathologies already present in the woman in labor.

Table. Physiological reasons.

Cause	Specifications
	The reason illustrating the softening of ligaments and cartilage under the influence of progesterone. This hormone makes the bones softer so that they are better dispersed at the time of birth, releasing the fetus. Because of this, the vertebrae "sag". Sometimes this happens even during pregnancy, since the body prepares for childbirth almost from the first days. At the same time, the nerve endings are pinched, and the pain in the lumbar region continues until the cartilaginous tissue regains its previous structure, and the vertebrae will not fall into place.
	Another physiological reason associated with the fact that in the normal nine months of pregnancy, a woman's weight increases by an average of 12 kg. Gaining weight contributes to the fact that muscle tissue in the back and abdomen stretches, creating an increased load on the spine. The restoration of muscle tone occurs gradually, along with this pain goes away.
	Also physiology arising from the shift in body weight. As a woman has to "wear" an enlarging belly in front, she is increasingly leaning back, which causes constant tension of the back muscles and pain syndrome that persists for some time after childbirth.
	In addition to the structure of bones, their location changes. The bones of the bosom and pelvis form a passage for the fetus, expanding significantly. In this case, the tailbone begins to retrace. To return to their previous position and close, the bones need some time, during which it is normal to experience pain.
	When the delivery took place, the load is redistributed again, and this is done abruptly. The muscles tense, "getting used" to a new position for them, so the lower back also hurts.
	As already noted, pain can cause illness or gastrointestinal problems. Since labor often causes constipation until the stool settles, the lower back area in the back, including, can hurt from them.

Council. The recovery of the female body can occur one month after childbirth, or it can take a couple of months. The joints should return to their place, ligaments and muscles should return to working condition. It is important not to overextend the lower back, maintain posture, and rest.

Pathologies that can cause postpartum pain

Often in pregnant women and women who have given birth, the base of the back hurts due to an existing disease. In this case, you should not blame everything on physiology and wait until the body recovers, and the pains go away on their own. You need to visit a doctor and establish the real cause of the pain.

After the end of labor, the reasons may be as follows.

By the way. Low back pain, in the absence of pathologies, can cause psychosomatics and problems associated with it, which often occur in the postpartum period, for example, postpartum depression. Here you cannot do without the help of a psychotherapist.

Prevention and relief from pain

So that physiological or pathological lower back pains do not torment a woman after childbirth, their serious prevention is necessary, which begins with the onset of pregnancy or even during her planning.

If you would like to learn more about how to treat, as well as consider alternative treatments, you can read an article about this on our portal.

Preventive measures include diet and special exercises to strengthen the back. It is important to avoid gaining excessive weight, as well as physical overstrain, especially in recent months, when the most likely "subsidence" of the vertebral segments.

After childbirth, it is also necessary to follow certain rules that will help prevent complications and intensification of pathologies.

1. Do not lift weights.
2. If it is necessary to lift the inevitable weight (for example, a child), try to take it from a sitting position, distributing the load on all joints, and not only on the lower back.

   

3. When caring for a baby, take care not only of his comfort, but also of your own. The bed, bath, changing table and other surfaces on which the child is located must be raised to such a height that the mother does not have to bend low each time.

   

4. For the two months following childbirth, the mother only needs to sleep on a hard bed. No feather beds. And it's very good if the hard mattress stays on the bed further - this is practically a guarantee of back health.

   

5. Avoiding excess weight after childbirth, during breastfeeding is another important point that should be strictly observed. If necessary, you should follow a special diet, carefully balanced in terms of a sufficient amount of nutrients that are passed on to the baby with breast milk.

   

6. In parallel, you need to try as soon as possible (but smoothly, not abruptly) to get rid of excess weight gained during pregnancy.

   

7. It is best to carry the baby in a sling - this is the most comfortable option, in which the back muscles are supported.

   

   Sling - a convenient accessory for carrying a baby

8. During feedings, even if they come from a bottle, the position is chosen convenient for the mother so that the back is comfortable. This is best done in an orthopedic office chair. If the chair is ordinary, a roller is placed under the back in the lumbar region.

   

   Back cushion

9. Many people feel comfortable breastfeeding while lying down. This is perfectly acceptable, but the surface on which the mother lies must be firm (mattress, sofa).

   

10. Movement - you definitely need to devote some time to it every day. No training or running required. It could be just a quiet walk with your baby (in a stroller or sling) in the fresh air.

    

11. In no case should you carry your baby on your stomach, leaning on it and pushing your stomach forward. This habit can persist after months of pregnancy, and it is very harmful to the spinal muscles and gives them additional stress, causing low back pain.

    

12. As soon as this becomes possible after childbirth, it is necessary to start performing a set of exercises. If you do not engage in the recommended postpartum physical education, do not follow the rules of behavior and nutrition, do not limit the load, this can cause curvature of the spine, pinching of nerves and further the formation of intervertebral hernias.

    

Orthopedic mattresses

What to do

In a specific case, when the back hurts in the postpartum period, and this bothers and gives discomfort, you can take some measures that, however, can only temporarily reduce or relieve pain without eliminating their cause. Most likely, the pain will return until the cause that caused it disappears.

If you want to know in more detail what to do if your stomach, lower back and back hurts, you can read an article about this on our portal.

If it is established that the pain is not pathological, has no connection with any disease, but is a normal physiological reaction to changes in the body of a pregnant woman, it is necessary to try to restore the functioning of the prenatal regime of the musculoskeletal system as soon as possible.

This will help a special corset, which is recommended to be worn after childbirth, and therapeutic exercises, begun during pregnancy as a preventive. It is carried out at the last stages and within two months after childbirth, in agreement with the doctor.

If the pain is severe and interferes with normal life and childcare, the doctor may prescribe physical therapy and a course of massage. They will help restore blood supply, strengthen the back muscles and bring the spine into the correct position.

Council. To improve microcirculation in the back muscles after childbirth, you can use various applicators (Kuznetsova, Lyapko). Their action does not pose a danger to the body, and organizes the blood flow very well.

Applicator-belt Lyapko "Sputnik"

The lumbar zone of the spine is the least strengthened "frontier" on the path of pain syndrome. There are no protective ribs, a high degree of mobility, and the load, especially after childbirth and when caring for a child, is at its maximum.

After a new little man is born, and a young mother sees her baby for the first time, many things appear in a woman's life that were completely unfamiliar to her before. In this article, we will talk about such a phenomenon as back pain after childbirth, why and how it appears, how you can avoid it or cure it.

Reasons for the appearance

In order to properly treat a disease, you need to know the reasons that cause it. In this regard, back pain is most often the result of five main factors that accompany a woman throughout pregnancy:

1. Spine problems before pregnancy (curvature of the spine (scoliosis, excessive lordosis and kyphosis), osteochondrosis, intervertebral hernia, etc.). In this case, back pain, most likely, worries the young mother even before pregnancy and intensifies, becomes more frequent during this period and after childbirth;
2. Various diseases of muscles and nerve endings (the reason is the least likely, but requires timely detection and treatment), as well as overstretching of the abdomen and back when carrying a child;
3. A sharp change in a woman's body weight (during pregnancy, a young mother can normally gain up to 12 kg, and if she bears twins or triplets, does not adhere to a strict diet, then much more), for which the osteo-ligamentous apparatus is not ready. This "unusual" weight is especially often the cause of pain in the sacral region, and lower back pain after childbirth is significantly increased;
4. Changing the center of gravity of the whole body (in a pregnant woman, he moves forward and downward, which makes him change his posture, leaning back and up - hence the "step-important" gait of pregnant women). This leads to the fact that there is an overstrain of the muscles of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine, the load on the knee and hip joints changes;
5. Hormonal changes in the body... This factor leads to the fact that a special female sex hormone - progesterone - "softens" the ligaments, joints and cartilage of the woman's skeleton, allowing it to adapt to all changes in the body. This often leads to the fact that the vertebrae "sag" somewhat, compressing the nerve roots.

In other words, there are many reasons for pain during pregnancy. But it should be borne in mind that after childbirth, all these processes begin to reverse - the body re-gets used to the new weight (the baby has already been born), the change in the center of gravity and the restoration of the strength of the muscular corset, a decrease in the level of progesterone (and, as a result, a decrease in the flexibility and elasticity of the ligaments and skeletal cartilage). Those. all the causes of pain during pregnancy also cause back pain after childbirth.

informationIt should be added that childbirth itself is also a major factor in these pains. During them, there is a change in the ratio of the bones of the woman's pelvis in space: the pubic bones diverge, the tailbone deviates back, the hip joints are pulled apart. These changes in the very process of childbirth are somewhat anesthetized by the body's natural hormonal substances - endorphins, which are actively produced at this time. But then the young woman is left alone with these pains.

The tailbone especially hurts after childbirth, and prolonged aching pains in the hip joints and hips may also appear. It is very difficult to walk, sit down, bend over, carry heavy loads. About everything that a woman needs to do after giving birth! The baby should be worn, bend over for swaddling and feeding, sit down to rest, etc.

Back pain treatment

Treatment of back pain (and in general in the entire back) after childbirth has several features:

• the treatment is carried out exclusively by non-drug methods (i.e., you can simply forget about drugs, unless you have stopped breastfeeding). The vast majority of drugs that can effectively and quickly help relieve back pain after childbirth can also penetrate with mother's milk into the baby's fragile body, causing undesirable consequences;
• you can apply anti-inflammatory ointments (topically) in a short course (short period of time);
• the main methods of treatment are remedial gymnastics, acupuncture, physiotherapy.

additionallyThe choice of the method of treatment and its duration is selected only by the doctor after the necessary examination (as mentioned above, the causes of such pain can also be serious diseases of the muscles and nerves, the spine, which were revealed only after pregnancy). In other words, do not be surprised if, having come to the doctor with a simple complaint, for example, “the lower back hurts after childbirth,” after the examination, the doctor recommends that you undergo an MRI of the spine.

Prevention

Back pain is more effective and easier to prevent than treat. Below are recommendations that do not exhaust the entire list of possible methods and ways to prevent pain, but are the main ones. You can clarify and choose a more balanced regimen with the help of a doctor.

1. For six months after giving birth, if possible, avoid hard work, carrying heavy loads. Untimely start of such activity leads to the fact that the muscles of the back and abdomen do not have time to return to normal;
2. Monitor your weight not only during pregnancy, but also after childbirth. Extra pounds will only aggravate back pain and slow down;
3. Engage in remedial gymnastics (consult your doctor about this). The most important point here is the consistency and regularity of the exercises, not their intensity and severity. You can do gymnastics with your morning exercises;
4. Getting out of bed, do not straighten up sharply - calmly turn on your side, bend your knees, put your hands on the bed and sit on its edge;
5. At the beginning of feeding the baby, learn to take a position that is comfortable for you and the baby: sit comfortably in a chair, put your feet on a dais (you can put an ottoman), tilt your head back. Most mothers also note that it is most convenient and simple to teach the baby to feed while lying on its side;
6. When choosing a bed, give preference to a bed with a hard mattress, which is very beneficial for the spine. Sometimes it is also recommended to put a small cushion or pillow under the knees while sleeping;
7. Take care of yourself: adjust the height of the table, changing table, crib, bathtub to your height. If necessary, use a stand. If you need to lift something from the floor, kneel or squat, keeping your back straight;
8. Avoid straight bends - remember that it will be correct to lift weights with your legs and with a straight back (just sit down a little), without bending or twisting your back to the sides. This rule is also useful when cleaning an apartment - while working with a vacuum cleaner, put one hand on your leg to relieve the spine;
9. Pay more attention to the choice of stroller and / or baby carrier you will be using. You shouldn't trust your relatives or your husband - try it on, vilify it a little, to be sure that it suits you. In this case, the bib should be easy to put on, not hamper movement, and the baby's head should be at the level of your chest. When choosing a stroller, the only requirement to avoid unnecessary stress on the back is the level of the handle: it should be above the waist;
10. And again - take care of yourself! Ask your family and friends to help you around the house and take care of your child.

During the period of carrying a child for 9 months, the body of the expectant mother experiences increased stress. The end of this period is childbirth, during which the load reaches a critical level. If the mother's body is not well prepared for such tests, her health and physical condition can be seriously affected.

Most often, after childbirth, women have back pain. Sometimes, immersed in caring for a newborn baby, they do not pay attention to the pain and do not seek help, because they think that these sensations will pass on their own. However, in some cases, back pain may indicate serious pathologies that require treatment.

After childbirth, pulls between the shoulder blades and the back hurts - a clinical picture

Back pain can occur up to 6 months after the baby is born. The following areas become the place of their localization: the lower back, coccyx, the area between the shoulder blades. The pain can be nagging, sharp, or paroxysmal.

An increase in the severity of a symptom usually occurs during physical activity, in stressful situations.

If it pulls between the shoulder blades during increased physical exertion, the source of pain may be a change in the physiological bend of the thoracic spine. Usually, such sensations bother women who, before the birth of the baby, were diagnosed with osteochondrosis in this part of the spinal column.

Often a pain symptom is noted in women who have given birth in the coccyx area. This significantly complicates everyday life, as pain appears when sitting, when trying to sit down, lie on your back. A young mother may complain of pain in the tailbone during intercourse, coughing and during bowel movements. The source of these problems can be a sprain of ligaments and tendons in the sacral spine and at the joints of the pubic bones.

The lower back is often an issue. This part of the back is characterized by shooting pains that can affect the groin and even the legs, causing short-term lameness. Among the causes of this pathology, the most common is compression of the nerve processes as a result of a hernia of the spine. Sometimes lower back pain is associated with excessive weight gain, increased lumbar bending of the spine, and stretching of the muscle structures of the abdomen.

Causes of pain in the lumbar region and spine

Why does a woman have pain in her lower back or other part of her back after giving birth? To find out the reasons for the discomfort, she needs to see a doctor. Pain can appear after the birth of a baby due to physiological changes or pathological disorders in the body. The most common factors that trigger the onset of pain are:

• Divergence of the pelvic bones. This is a natural process that occurs during pregnancy as the size of the fetus increases. As a result, both muscle structures and ligaments that support the internal organs are stretched. Most of these muscles originate in the spine, so after the birth of a baby, pain in the lumbar spine often darkens the mother's life.
• Contraction of the lumbar muscles. During pregnancy, the muscle fibers of the abdominal wall are significantly stretched and lengthened, and the muscles of the lumbar back are tense and contracted. When the baby is born, the muscle structures do not immediately return to their previous natural position, the tension in the back remains until the condition of the abdominal muscles is restored.
• Excess weight. Gaining a lot of extra pounds leads to an increase in the load on the muscular system. Under the influence of constant muscle strain, pain occurs in the pelvic and abdominal region.
• Change in the location of internal organs. Under pressure from the uterus, some organs can temporarily move or change position. Sometimes the kidneys move up or down. After giving birth, their place is freed up, so there is a return movement to a natural position. This process can be accompanied by back pain that spreads to the abdomen, perineum and lower extremities.
• Intervertebral hernia. This pathology often develops after childbirth. If a hernia appeared before childbirth, during this period, an exacerbation of the disease occurs.
• Childbirth trauma. During labor, displacement of joints and bones can occur. Subsequently, this causes severe discomfort and pain.
• Changes in posture, unnatural curves of the back resulting from bearing a baby. May cause pain in the back and between the shoulder blades after childbirth. It takes 1–2 months to restore correct posture.
• Load on the lower back when carrying a child in your arms. After giving birth, the mother constantly takes the baby in her arms to feed, wash, change the diaper or just calm down. At the same time, the back is under increased stress, so it can often hurt.

How to treat?

Regardless of the intensity, frequency of back pain and their location, a woman should visit a specialist and describe her symptoms. After a conversation and a visual examination, the doctor will determine what examinations are required for an accurate diagnosis.

In some cases, a young mother is prescribed an ultrasound, MRI or X-ray examination to find out the condition of the bone structures and internal organs.

After receiving the results, the specialist will be able to select the optimal treatment methods. If your back hurts due to misaligned joints or bones, you will need to undergo several manual therapy sessions. In other cases, physiotherapy and exercise therapy may be prescribed. Treatment with medicines is rarely used, since after childbirth, a woman provides nutrition to the newborn by breastfeeding. Medicinal substances pass into breast milk, therefore, if necessary, the mother should transfer the child to artificial nutrition.

Drug therapy

The use of any medication should be carried out only on the recommendation of a doctor. In order not to stop breastfeeding, experts prescribe homeopathic remedies for mothers, which do not contain components dangerous for the newborn. Such preparations are made from natural ingredients. For back pain, remedies such as Traumeel and Zel T. will help.

In combination with medications, the doctor will advise the woman to wear an orthopedic belt. If you apply an anesthetic gel or ointment, and then put on a belt, the positive effect will be more pronounced.

Physiotherapy

There are special sets of exercises for moms that help restore the body after pregnancy and childbirth. This gymnastics relieves back pain and restores muscle tone.

One of these exercises is performed while lying on your back. The right leg is bent at the knee. The right hand is placed on the knee, the left hand wraps around the heel and pulls the foot to the crotch. You need to stay in this position for 10 seconds. Then repeat with the left leg.

Another effective exercise for lower back pain is also done while lying down. One leg is bent at the knee, the second is wound behind it so that the foot of the bent leg is under the calf muscle. In this position, you need to make 10 - 15 oblique movements to the sides with a bent leg. To get the result, you should do gymnastics daily, repeating the exercises 15 times.

Physiotherapy and massage

A back massage is good for back pain. The course can be completed within a month after childbirth. If a woman has had a cesarean section, massage can be performed no earlier than 2 months later. As a result of this procedure, joints and muscles are strengthened, metabolic processes in the body are restored, the skin becomes tightened, the pain caused by osteochondrosis decreases.

Physiotherapy is also effective in relieving back pain and inflammation. The doctor may prescribe a course of laser therapy, ultrasound or electrical impulses to a woman experiencing discomfort in the lower back.

Special belt

An orthopedic belt can be purchased at specialty stores or pharmacies. It helps to relieve pain in different parts of the back, if it is caused by injury, displacement of joints or bones after childbirth. You need to put on the belt during physical activity, when walking. This product must be removed during sleep. If used in combination with other treatment methods, the healing process will be greatly accelerated.

Folk recipes

If a woman has a back or lower back pain after giving birth, you can use one of the traditional methods of treatment. In some cases, a tangible effect occurs after the use of herbal infusions. An infusion of St. John's wort helps from pain in the lower back. However, not all herbs can be used during breastfeeding.

Another popular method for relieving back pain is compresses and rubbing. For compresses, herbs such as chamomile, St. John's wort, thyme are used. Mustard powder and pepper plasters work very well. Many women practice wearing woolen belts with a massage effect.

Preventive measures

To prevent the occurrence of back pain, a woman should immediately after the birth of a child carry out prevention of pain syndrome. To do this, the following recommendations must be observed:

• control your weight;
• avoid muscle strain;
• choose a comfortable position for feeding the baby;
• sleep on a hard mattress;
• do not make straight tilts while cleaning, bathing the baby, cooking;
• choose a lightweight stroller for a newborn with a handle at the waist level to reduce the strain on the back while walking.

Back pain after childbirth is quite common and can last for a long period of time.

Lumbar pain often occurs after childbirth

Often, discomfort appears during pregnancy and does not go away after the birth of the baby. The reasons for this condition can be different - pathology of the spine, diseases of the pelvis and other internal organs.

The reasons

Despite the fact that childbirth is considered a physiological process, many women face various disorders. Back pain can appear under the influence of various factors. The most common reasons include the following:

1. The gradual growth of the fetus and uterus during pregnancy affects the pelvic bones - they gradually diverge. Also, this process provokes a pronounced stretching of muscle tissue. In this case, the ligaments that hold the internal organs are stretched. Since most of them attach to the vertebrae, pain occurs.
2. The period of pregnancy also affects the abdomen - its muscle tissue is also strongly stretched. As a result of this process, the lumbar muscles are significantly shortened. After the baby is born, they continue to remain in a tense state, since the stomach does not recover immediately.
3. The appearance of a large amount of excess weight during pregnancy also provokes severe pain. They can affect the pelvic area or abdomen.
4. In some cases, internal organs during pregnancy change their localization. So, the kidneys can descend or unfold. After the baby is born, they need to restore their normal position.
5. The causes of discomfort may lie in the development of an intervertebral hernia. After childbirth, an exacerbation of this pathology is often observed.
6. Before the birth of a child, a woman's bones often diverge. That is why pain syndrome occurs quite often. In this case, the hips move apart and the pubic bones diverge, the tailbone moves back. After pregnancy, the body needs some time to recover, which leads to unpleasant sensations.
7. Discomfort can be triggered by traumatic injuries sustained during childbirth. At this point, joints or bones may move.
8. The reasons for this disorder may lie in the changes in posture that occur during pregnancy. It can take about 1-2 months to recover.
9. An important role is played by the increased load on the lumbar region after the birth of a child. The need to constantly move the baby significantly aggravates the situation with the back.

If after the birth of a child, the lower back, pelvic region and abdomen are very sore, be sure to consult a doctor who can identify provoking factors.

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Diagnostic methods

A detailed medical examination is required. First, the doctor conducts an objective examination. If the pain syndrome is caused by osteochondrosis, pressure on the nerve fiber exit area leads to an increase in unpleasant sensations. Beating in the lumbar region can reveal soreness in kidney pathologies.
To make an accurate diagnosis, you need to conduct additional research:

1. You need to do a general urine test. It is also necessary to carry out an ultrasound of the kidneys.
2. If you suspect a pathology of the pelvic joints, an X-ray examination of this area should be done. Due to this, atypical localization of the femoral head in relation to the acetabulum is revealed.
3. Osteochondrosis can be diagnosed retrospectively. This diagnosis is suspected for back pain within a year after delivery. A neurologic examination is done to confirm the presence of the disease. You also need to do an X-ray and tomography.

Treatment

To eliminate pain syndrome, you need to eliminate the cause of its occurrence. They also carry out symptomatic therapy to combat discomfort.

If your back hurts after having an epidural, it is due to hormonal imbalance. To relieve discomfort, anti-inflammatory drugs are used that suppress the production of prostaglandins.
If the pain syndrome is due to kidney disease, a nephrologist will prescribe treatment. Pyelonephritis requires the use of antibiotics and uro-antiseptic drugs. Glomerulonephritis should be treated with immunosuppressive therapy.
When osteochondrosis appears, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used. Analgesics can also be prescribed - such drugs as tempalgin, baralgin are effective.
If the pain is due to the fact that the bones diverge, there is a need for the help of a chiropractor. Discomfort in the pelvic area is often effectively treated with physical therapy.
Remedial gymnastics can also be selected. Thanks to special exercises, you can restore the abdomen, strengthen muscle tissue, and restore the normal position of the pelvic bones.

Pain in the lumbar region often occurs after the birth of a child. It can appear under the influence of various factors. The fact is that during pregnancy, the pelvic bones diverge, the load on the abdomen increases, and diseases of the internal organs worsen. To cope with this violation, you need to contact a specialist, and it is recommended to do this as early as possible.