Ah, the indescribable joys of pregnancy. The anticipation
of new life, the intimate, developing bond between mother
and child ... and the back pain. More than 50% of women experience
back pain during pregnancy, especially in the third trimester,
and frequently the pain can be excruciating and debilitating.
A Swedish study involving 258 pregnant women investigated
whether water gymnastics could reduce the intensity of back
pain and the number of days taken for sick leave. Women were
divided equally into two groups: an exercise group that participated
in water gymnastics (one hour of relaxation exercises, performed
in a swimming pool and accompanied by music) during the second
half of their pregnancy; and a control group that did not
participate in water gymnastics.
Although
back pain intensity increased during the course of pregnancy
for both groups, the exercise group reported less pain compared
with the control group. The total number of reported days
on sick leave was also lower in the exercise group (982 days
taken) compared with controls (1,484 days taken).
Many of the joys and frustrations of parenthood will last
much longer than nine months, so prepare yourself. But back
pain is one frustration that doesnıt have to last. If you're
expecting a child and are experiencing back pain, talk to
your doctor of chiropractic about making your pregnancy as
pain-free as possible.
Reference:
Kihlstrand M, Stenman B, Nilsson S, et al. Water gymnastics
reduced the intensity of back/low back pain in pregnant women.
Acta Obstetrics Et Gynecologica Scandinavia, March
1999: Vol. 78, No. 3, pp180-85.
For more information on womenıs health, go to https://www.chiroweb.com/find/tellmeabout/women.html
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