50% of pregnant women will experience back pain during pregnancy. Many women forego treatment out of concern about prescription drug use and overuse of Tylenol (see this weekly tip for more information). However, chronic, severe pain is associated with hypertension, anxiety and depression, and needs to be treated.
In my online pregnancy coaching program, I devote a full module to addressing musculoskeletal complaints including lower back pain, pelvic girdle pain, and headaches during pregnancy. In the module I cover conventional treatment options, safe herbal options, helpful supplements, and exercises. One of the treatments that I offer routinely in my own practice, and recommend to members of My Healthy Pregnancy Plan, is acupuncture.
Acupuncture has been shown in multiple studies to effectively relieve lower-back pain during pregnancy, and to be superior to stabilizing exercises and standard treatments. When performed by a licensed professional – a Traditional Chinese Medicine acupuncturist or Naturopathic Doctor with acupuncture certification – acupuncture has a demonstrated safety record with few adverse effects (the most frequent being temporary pain or discomfort at the site of needling). If you are not already using acupuncture to relieve your lower back pain during pregnancy, I certainly recommend trying it out!
I hope you have found this helpful, and do let me know if you have any questions!
If you are hungry for more evidence-based information in your pregnancy, sign up for my free webinar: 7 Pregnancy Myths Debunked – and get the information you need to have a healthy pregnancy and a thriving baby.
And if you are a care-provider looking for evidence-based resources for your pregnant patients, please get in touch with us at support@myhealthypregnancyplan.com.
In health,
Dr Jocelyn Land-Murphy, ND
Terra Life
Disclaimer: The information and content provided is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not professional medical advice, nor is it intended to be a substitute therefore. Please consult the Disclaimer and Terms of Use for full details.
References:
Carolyn, C. (2008). Acupuncture for pelvic and back pain in pregnancy: a systematic review. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 198(3): 254-259.
Elden, H. et al. (2005). Effects of acupuncture and stabilizing exercises as adjunct to standard treatment in pregnant women with pelvic girdle pain: randomized single blind controlled trial. British Medical Journal, 330(761).
Kvorning, N. et al. (2004). Acupuncture relieves pelvic and low-back pain in late pregnancy. Acta Obstetricia et Gynocologica Scandinavica, 83(3): 246-250.
Park, K. et al. (2014).The safety of acupuncture during pregnancy: a systematic review. Acupuncture in Medicine, 32(3): 257–266.