When you’re pregnant, your body starts changing rapidly. You gain weight, your hormones go crazy, your muscles separate as your uterus expands, even your posture changes. Unfortunately for your back, these changes result in a lot of pain. To help make your pregnancy easier, here are five of the best ways to relieve back pain throughout your pregnancy:

 Exercise

A regular exercise routine helps build muscle, increases flexibility, encourages blood flow, and keeps your joints active. Many pregnant women, however, are afraid to exercise, and this ends up exacerbating their back pain.

You’ll want to check with a physician before undertaking an exercise routine when you’re pregnant, but you’ll want to pick something that’s low impact. This includes exercises like stationary bikes, yoga, swimming, and walking. Other exercises that involve too much bending, lifting, or jerking should probably be left alone until you’ve had your child.

Even if you don’t feel up for regular exercises, you should make it a point to stretch. Stretching will help keep your limbs and joints loose, and keep your blood flowing. If you notice any of the following systems you should abandon your routine immediately and seek medical attention: dizziness, nausea, blurred vision, heart palpitations, swelling, vaginal bleeding.

Flat Shoes With Support

High heels may look great, but they aren’t practical when you’re pregnant. Heels exaggerate your posture and put stress on your spine during normal conditions, and this becomes even more pronounced when you’re pregnant.

Heels also make you less steady on your feet, which can be problematic when you’re carrying more weight than usual and unsteady to begin with.

Your best bet is sticking to flat shoes, preferably ones with some sort of arch support. You could should also consider purchasing a pregnancy support belt, although it isn’t as important as your footwear.

 Avoid Heavy Objects

When you’re pregnant, you shouldn’t be picking up any heavy objects. If you do need to pick something up, however, make sure to follow these simple steps:

• When reaching down for something, bend your knees to squat down rather than bending at the waist. This takes stress off of your back and spine.
• Lift with your legs. If you lift with your back instead, it puts an enormous amount of pressure on your spine. Your legs are the powerhouse of your body, their purpose is to bear weight. When you’re pregnant, this is especially critical.
• Don’t turn your head while carrying something.
• Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Carrying something too heavy while you’re pregnant carries serious health risks, so its well worth a slightly bruised ego.

Sleep on Your Side

Sleeping can be tricky when you’re pregnant. You need to worry about making sure the baby has proper support, and you need to position yourself so the extra weight doesn’t put unnecessary pressure on your spine. Ideally, you should sleep on your left side.

The best way to do this is by sleeping on your side rather than your back. While sleeping, curl up so that your knees bend, and keep a pregnancy pillow just under your stomach and between your legs.

Pregnancy Chiropractor in Troy, Michigan

The best way to relieve yourself of back pain is visiting a chiropractor that specializes in pregnancy. Here at Advanced Health Chiropractic, we have programs that have been developed especially for pregnant women. These services provide care that can take you along the entire process, from conception to prenatal and postnatal care.

Some of the benefits of pregnancy chiropractic care include:

• Less pain.
• Reduced nausea.
• More energy.
• Easier labor and delivery.

If you’d like more information about how Advanced Health Chiropractic in Troy, MI. can help throughout your pregnancy, make sure to reach out to us here!

 **Disclaimer: Information in this post is not a substitute for medical advice. Please consult your physician to discuss your options and find out what care is best for you.