Experiencing Back Pain Associated with Pregnancy? There's Help!

Brittany Bishop, PT, DPT working with Brianna Koerick. 

Lower back and hip pain often accompany pregnancy. In fact, experts say that on average 2 out of three pregnant women will suffer from lower back, hip and joint paint during their pregnancy. Thankfully, there’s help.

            Brittany Bishop, PT, DPT for United Helpers’ Maplewood Campus, offers treatment specifically designed to alleviate pain associated with pregnancy. Using specialized equipment and a variety of stretching, strengthening, and massage techniques, Bishop is able to treat patients with an array of issues related to their pregnancy.

            “There are primarily a couple of reasons for lower back pain during pregnancy,” Bishop said.  “There are physical changes that occur in a woman’s body that contribute to low back and hip pain, one of which being the developing baby placing pressure on the pelvic floor and shifting the center of gravity forward causing  an increase in stress on the spine. The second reason is that pregnant women also release a hormone called Relaxin, that relaxes the intrauterine ligaments so that the pelvis can widen to accommodate the growing baby.”

            While Relaxin is beneficial during pregnancy in that is it helping the body to prepare for childbirth, it also allows joints to loosen and move abnormally, causing pain and inflammation. “Physical therapy can help to alleviate some of the symptoms,” Bishop said. “We take a look at potential triggers, posture, muscle strength, alignment, flexibility, and possible nerve involvement.”

            Treatment is performed with the use of a specialized pregnancy pillow designed to provide comfort and support for a pregnant woman’s body. Exercises, stretches and massage are administered very gently with both Mom and baby in mind.

            Pregnancy can be the ultimate strain on a body. With the help of physical therapy, women can work to manage their pain and learn how strengthening and stretching techniques can help to alleviate future issues. Physical therapy services require a referral from a physician. Bishop encourages women experiencing lower back, hip and joint pain to talk to their doctor about their symptoms.

            United Helpers offers out–patient physical therapy services at Maplewood Campus in Canton, NY and at RiverLedge Campus in Ogdensburg, NY. To schedule an appointment, or to learn more about physical therapy services offered, please call (315) 386-4541 (Canton) or (315) 393-0730. Maplewood and RiverLedge Campus are members of the United Helpers family of services.