How To Relieve Upper Back Pain During Pregnancy

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How To Relieve Upper Back Pain During Pregnancy
6. Include physical activity in your daily routine – Regular physical activity can keep your back strong and might relieve back pain during pregnancy. With your health care provider’s OK, try gentle activities — such as walking or water exercise. A physical therapist also can show you stretches and exercises that might help.

What does it mean when your upper back hurts while pregnant?

1. Change in Balance and Center of Gravity – As your uterus expands throughout the pregnancy, you are forced to stretch the muscles of your neck and pull your shoulders for prolonged periods in order to maintain your balance. The effort causes strain on your spine which results in upper back pain.

Why does my upper back hurt between my shoulder blades during pregnancy?

Why does this affect pregnant women? – Hormonal and physical changes during pregnancy can cause this pain between the shoulder blades. Women especially experience this pain during their third trimester. As the body changes to prepare itself for delivery, the uterus shifts your centre of gravity forward.

Can I massage my upper back during pregnancy?

Massage is generally considered safe following the first trimester of pregnancy. If you’re at risk for preterm labor, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, or other possible complications, your doctor or midwife may advise against massage during pregnancy.

  1. There are lots of aches and pains that come with being pregnant.
  2. Whether it’s your hips that scream in pain after a long day on your feet or your back that throbs as it supports your growing bump or your swollen feet, chances are a massage sounds absolutely heavenly.
  3. Maybe your partner has even noticed how much you hurt and offered a massage.

But like most things in pregnancy, you might be wondering if it’s safe to have one. Here’s what to keep in mind. The short answer: Yes, it’s most likely safe, Of course, let your doctor know that you’re thinking of getting a massage, either from your partner or a professional, before you go ahead and get one.

But in general, massage is considered safe after the first trimester. You might want to avoid massage before then because it can make you dizzy or nauseous — and you probably don’t want to make your morning sickness worse inadvertently. Some massage practitioners won’t give a massage in the first trimester because they worry it could cause a miscarriage, but there is little medical evidence suggesting this is true.

So, “if your partner massages your neck and shoulders, then that should be fine,” says Miinkay Yu, a professional massage therapist who is trained in prenatal massage. (It might help relieve some of your stress, but more on that below.) Just be sure to let your partner or a therapist know if something hurts while they’re massaging you and to let them know how much pressure feels good.

First things first: Massaging certain acupressure points is rumored to trigger miscarriage or preterm labor. No evidence supports this belief, but studies show it may decrease the length and painfulness of labor. Additionally, your pregnant body should be positioned and supported differently than a non-pregnant person’s — for your comfort and so that your baby is safe in utero.

During your massage, you should be lying on your side — not your back or stomach — or sitting upright or in a semi-reclining position. Why is this? For starters, lying on your stomach is uncomfortable. In addition, lying on your back after 20 weeks could put pressure on blood vessels, including your aorta and inferior vena cava, which can restrict blood flow.

Your belly. You’ll probably want to avoid having your growing belly and the area around it massaged because this could hurt you or the baby. It’s OK to gently rub some stretch mark cream into your belly, though. Your legs. It’s fine to rub or stroke your legs gently, but make sure that your partner doesn’t use too strong of deep tissue pressure. Because your blood volume increases when you’re pregnant, blood flow in your legs can slow down, making you prone to clots. So deep tissue massage on your legs could dislodge a clot. Pressure points. As we hinted at above, in reflexology, you have pressure points in some regions of your body, like your wrist, ankle, or between your fingers. Some people say that massaging these areas may cause contractions, but there’s currently no evidence to support the claims.

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There is a bit of research on the safety of massage for pregnant people. Talk to your doctor about your risk. There are some conditions of pregnancy when you shouldn’t use massage. As a result, your doctor might advise against getting a massage if you have:

a risk of preterm labor preeclampsia high blood pressure blood clots or a clotting disorderproblems with your placenta, such as placenta previa gestational diabetes

There’s nothing wrong with getting a gentle massage from your partner or a friend if you keep the precautions we’ve given here in mind. But if you decide to get a professional massage, make sure you look for someone trained in prenatal massage. “Your body will go through many changes as it goes through gestation and birth.

It’s important to find a professional who understands everything that’s going on with your body so they can adjust the massage to your needs,” explains Yu. “For example, when your body is supporting a baby, the fluid you retain and create increases, so if your legs and feet are swollen, then a lighter type of massage is indicated.” “​​Massage is very beneficial.

As your body carries increasingly more weight, your back and hips take on stress and tension,” says Yu. “Getting regular massage to help release this tension will make moving around easier and more comfortable.” Research from 2011 has suggested that massage during pregnancy may help decrease depression and anxiety, and leg and back pain.

  • In fact, an older 2009 study even suggested it might reduce prematurity and postpartum depression, while a 2013 study found it might help improve your sleep while you’re pregnant.
  • Another recent study showed that massage could help relieve fluid buildup or swelling that comes with pregnancy and a 2017 study found that it might just help you relax and lower your stress levels.

And when the big day comes, keep in mind that massage and acupressure during labor have been found to reduce labor pain and time for many — increasing the satisfaction of delivery! It’s likely safe for you to get a massage while you’re pregnant, whether it’s from your partner or a professional.

Can baby’s position cause upper back pain?

As the baby grows and the uterus shifts, the mother’s center of gravity moves forward. This places increased pressure on the muscles in the back, causing back pain.

Can upper back pain due to gas in pregnancy?

Women often have excess gas during pregnancy in addition to morning sickness and fatigue. Gas can cause uncomfortable bloating, cramps, and abdominal pain. This article discusses the causes of gas in the different phases of pregnancy. We also cover treatments and home remedies for gas, and how to tell when abdominal pain is a cause for concern.

Why does my back hurt high between my shoulder blades?

Frequently Asked Questions – How do you know when upper back pain is serious? If you experience acute upper back pain from a fall, car accident, or other injury, seek medical attention immediately. Another indicator that upper back pain is serious is if you’re experiencing additional symptoms, some of which include fever (without flu-like aches), ongoing back pain, pain that wakes you up from sleep for more than three consecutive nights, weakness or numbness in the legs, back pain that lasts longer than 4-6 weeks, and radiating back pain.

When should I worry about upper back pain between shoulder blades? Call your doctor immediately if you are experiencing severe upper back pain between the shoulder blades, as it may be signs of a serious medical condition, such as lung disease, heart disease, blood vessel disease, or gallstones. What organs can cause upper back pain? Organs that can cause upper back pain include the gallbladder, kidneys, and pancreas.

The gallbladder can cause upper back pain between shoulder blades if gallstones, an accumulation of hard pieces of digestive fluids, have formed. Kidney problems such as kidney stones can also cause upper back pain. Additionally, a symptom of pancreatic cancer is a dull pain that occasionally occurs in the upper back.

When should I worry about back pain in pregnancy?

4. You’re Having Sporadic Pain – Back pain that comes on suddenly and severely—and without an apparent cause—should be examined to rule out the rare but painful conditions of pregnancy-association osteoporosis and arthritis. Also, if you experience back pain following a physical trauma, such as a fall or a car accident, contact a health care provider immediately to rule out any serious injury to yourself or the baby.

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What is the best position to relax when pregnant?

How Can I Get a Better Night’s Sleep? – Early in your pregnancy, try to get into the habit of sleeping on your side. Lying on your side with your knees bent is likely to be the most comfortable position as your pregnancy progresses. It also makes your heart’s job easier because it keeps the baby’s weight from applying pressure to the large vein (called the inferior vena cava) that carries blood back to the heart from your feet and legs.

  • But don’t drive yourself crazy worrying that you might roll over onto your back during the night.
  • Shifting positions is a natural part of sleeping that you can’t control.
  • Try experimenting with pillows to find a comfortable sleeping position.
  • Some women place a pillow under their abdomen or between their legs.

Also, using a bunched-up pillow or rolled-up blanket at the small of your back may help to relieve some pressure. In fact, you’ll see many “pregnancy pillows” on the market. If you’re thinking about buying one, talk with your doctor first about which might work for you.

Cut out caffeinated drinks like soda, coffee, and tea from your diet as much as possible. Restrict any intake of them to the morning or early afternoon. Avoid drinking a lot of fluids or eating a full meal within a few hours of going to bed. (But make sure that you also get plenty of nutrients and liquids throughout the day.) Some women find it helpful to eat more at breakfast and lunch and then have a smaller dinner. If nausea keeps you up, try eating a few crackers before you go to bed. Get into a routine of going to bed and waking up at the same time each day. Avoid rigorous exercise right before you go to bed. Instead, do something relaxing, like reading a book or having a warm, caffeine-free drink, such as milk with honey or a cup of herbal tea. If a leg cramp awakens you, it may help to press your feet hard against the wall or to stand on the leg. Some women find that stretching their calf muscles before bed helps. Also, make sure that you’re getting enough calcium and magnesium in your diet, which can help reduce leg cramps. But don’t take any supplements without checking with your doctor. Take a yoga class or learn other relaxation techniques to help you unwind after a busy day. (Be sure to discuss any new activity or fitness regimen with your doctor first.) If fear and anxiety are keeping you awake, consider enrolling in a childbirth class or parenting class. More knowledge and the company of other pregnant women may help to ease the fears that keep you awake at night.

When should you not massage a pregnant woman?

1. Women in their first trimester of pregnancy – The American Pregnancy Association says that women can begin massage, However, many prenatal massage therapists will not accept clients until the second trimester of pregnancy. The first trimester carries an increased risk of miscarriage, and some therapists are concerned that the increased blood flow during a massage might be harmful.

Is it OK to massage upper back pain?

What are the benefits of an upper back massage? – There are wide-ranging benefits of an upper back massage. The benefits of an upper back massage include:

Decreased tension Increased healing Decreased pain Improved posture

Above: Cupping massage applied by therapist to upper back over the trapezius muscles An upper back massage helps benefit the body by relieving tension in the muscles. Tension in the muscles is when muscles stay contracted and do not relax. Muscle tension can result in pain if not treated.

An upper back massage gets deep into the muscle tissues and helps the muscle relax and therefore relieve tension. By relieving tension, pain in the upper back is significantly reduced. Increased healing is a benefit gained from having an upper back massage. During an upper back massage, blood circulation is improved and the lymphatic system is stimulated.

Improving the blood circulation increases more nutrients and oxygen being delivered around the body. The nutrients delivered around the body help make the muscles stronger and healthier. Stimulation of the lymphatic system increases the removal of toxins and waste products.

  • The lymphatic system also helps fight infection.
  • Improving the lymph flow will increase the amount of white blood cells delivered to the injured area.
  • White blood cells create cells called antibodies that fight and kill harmful bacteria and viruses.
  • Improving circulation of blood and lymph flow therefore increases healing.
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An upper back massage helps decrease pain. Pain in the shoulders can occur for many reasons such as; muscle tightness, tension, stress or injury. An upper back massage helps relax all muscles that are tight or tense as a result of injury, overuse or poor posture.

Pain is created as receptors located within the body identify problems that are occurring. Once identified, the receptors send a message to the brain telling it that there is pain. Once the message is received, the brain then sends out signals to the nerves in the body which cause pain. An upper back massage aims to interfere with the message sent to the brain so that the nerves do not get a signal to create pain.

Interfering with the message sent to the brain therefore reduces pain. An upper back massage also increases muscle temperature. Increasing muscle temperature improves tissue elasticity and flexibility around a joint. Increasing elasticity and flexibility reduces muscle tightness and tension and therefore decreases pain.

An upper back massage also improves the circulation of blood. Increasing the blood circulation provides the body with more oxygen and healthy nutrients. Increasing oxygen levels provides the muscles with more energy. An increase in energy reduces pain caused by fatigue. Improved posture is a benefit gained through an upper back massage.

When muscles in the upper back area become tight and tense, they often cause the posture to change as the muscles become constantly contracted. If posture is not correct, muscles can become tighter and create more pain. An upper back massage helps relax the muscles in the upper back so that posture can be returned to normal without any feeling of pain or discomfort therefore improving overall posture. Above: Soft tissue massage of trapezius muscle

What massage points to avoid when pregnant?

Avoid deep pressure, especially in certain areas – Your massage therapist should avoid putting deep pressure on your abdomen and legs. More specifically, they should also avoid the areas around your ankles and a few of your toes — namely your big, second and baby toes.

  1. Deep pressure can cause issues if you have blood clots,” Cvitkovic warns.
  2. These places have little pressure points that migrate upwards.
  3. Pushing on them might increase blood flow.” If a person who is pregnant has a blood clot, varicose veins or deep vein thrombosis, pressing on those areas can also increase complications, such as inducing labor or preeclampsia.

“Avoiding those areas will definitely give you the least amount of risk for any of that to happen,” Cvitkovic affirms.

Does drinking water help upper back pain?

Drinking Water to Relieve Back Pain Does drinking water help get rid of recurring back pain? Yes, over time. While you may not feel immediate relief when you take a swig of water, establishing better hydration habits will provide a long-term means of alleviating back discomfort.

When should I worry about back pain in pregnancy?

4. You’re Having Sporadic Pain – Back pain that comes on suddenly and severely—and without an apparent cause—should be examined to rule out the rare but painful conditions of pregnancy-association osteoporosis and arthritis. Also, if you experience back pain following a physical trauma, such as a fall or a car accident, contact a health care provider immediately to rule out any serious injury to yourself or the baby.

What kind of back pain is bad in pregnancy?

Symptoms – Lumbar pain during pregnancy is generally located at and above the waist in the center of the back, and it may be concurrent with pain that radiates into the woman’s leg or foot. Posterior pelvic pain (in the back of the pelvis) is four times more prevalent than lumbar pain in pregnancy.

It is a deep pain felt below the waistline, on one or both sides or across the tailbone. Causes and Risk Factors Increase of hormones — Hormones released during pregnancy allow pelvic-area ligaments to soften and joints to loosen in preparation for the birthing process. This change may affect the support your back normally experiences.

Center of gravity — Your center of gravity will gradually move forward as your uterus and baby grow, which causes your posture to change. Additional weight — Your developing pregnancy and baby create additional weight that your back must support. Posture or position — Poor posture, excessive standing and bending over can trigger or escalate back pain.