Seeking Help with Back Pain

Updated on February 27, 2008
J.C. asks from Sugar Grove, IL
37 answers

I am 26 weeks pregnant. The last few days I have had constant and extremely bad pain in one spot in my back. Sometimes I get this same pain on my side. It is really effecting my day and I can't sleep from the pain. I tried the usual ice, heat, tylenol, sleeping upward and nothing works. Has anyone else had pains like this, do you have any suggestions of how to make it better? Thank you!

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M.M.

answers from Chicago on

Hi J. C,

Seems to me that you have a pinched nerve. I best advice would be is to see a chiropractor. I have been seeing one for years now,and it will help. You don't have to live with this pain. I do not know where you live at but I know a good chiropractor from Chiro One. they are in different states. you can look them up on the innernet and get some information. Take care and good luck!!

1 mom found this helpful
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H.H.

answers from Chicago on

is it on the side of the hand you write with? i am asking bc i had a similar pain when i was about the same gestational time as you and i went to a GI bc it spread from my back near my lungs to around the front where the organs were pushed up on the right side...he said it was a stressed muscle from the weight of the pregnancy and it happened on my right side bc i tended to lean that way (i do almost everything with my right hand)...it impeded my sleep and i couldn't sit for very long, either...i would suggest seeing a doctor about it...just to rule out anything else...good luck!

1 mom found this helpful
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J.S.

answers from Chicago on

Hi J.!

I had similair issues when i was pregnant. Lately I have been going to a chiroparctor for knee and back issues that were related to my pregnancy and I feel better! My chiropractor works with several pregnant women, and each one I've spoken to say they wish they had known for their first! I even wish I had known when I was actually pregnant. If you are in the bolingbrook/naperville/romeoville area, msg me back so I can give you my chiropractor's information

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D.W.

answers from Jacksonville on

J.,
I would talk to your doctor about possible physical therapy. I work at a PT clinic and we see several pregnant women. ALSO of you are using heat AND ice you are making the problem worse. Ice works the best. It may take a few times before you realize it works better than heat, but trust me...it does! Use it LOTS!

2 moms found this helpful
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L.B.

answers from Chicago on

There are a lot of chiropractors, acupuncturists and massage therapists who are experienced working with pregnant women. Just be sure to ask them before you make the appointment. I had massage and chiropractic care when I was carrying an enormous baby and it saved me. Feel free to contact me if you want a couple of good referrals.

1 mom found this helpful
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J.D.

answers from Chicago on

I had problems in my lower back and sometimes it went into my legs. I had a pinched nerve and my Chiropractor was able to help me - he even came to his office on a Sunday just for me

1 mom found this helpful
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K.G.

answers from Fort Wayne on

I know you've had lots of responses, but I feel your pain!!! The ONLY relief I got was through a chiropractor. I was living in the northern chicago suburb area, and had an excellent chiropractor who used a low-force technique (she has a tool called an activator that adjusts your frame), so I didn't have any twisting or cracking. It also elminates the possiblity of ajusting the wrong thing, causing complications. I went once every three weeks throughout my pregnancies, and once after. I haven't had the need to go back since (my youngest is 2). Before my first visit, I called several chiropractors and asked if they had experience with pregnant women. Some seemed less experienced than others, and the one I chose gave me specific examples of how she handles pregnant women differently. She was fantastic, and knew exactly how to "fix" me. :) Seek recommendations from your neighbors or friends. Then make lots of phone calls. Of course, check your insurance, too. :)

Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful
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C.K.

answers from Chicago on

Please please please be careful with Chiropractors, accupuncturists etc... There are many pressure points in the body which can induce labor, and you want to be sure that the person you go to doesn't...screw up. I have had decent luck with Prenatal Massage for the pain but I check certifications before hand to be sure they are trained properly and up to date.
Im currently 29 weeks pregnant and the pain just subsided for me after three weeks. Most likely its your pelvis spreading in preparation of delivery and to fit the growing baby.
I've also found that "ThermaCare Heat Wraps" for the lower back are amazing. You can wear them under your clothes and they last 8 hours. I usually sleep with them on and don't even notice they are there other than the nice heat on my muscles. They come two to a box and are a little pricey, but sometimes Dominicks has a special and you can get 2 for 1.

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M.R.

answers from Chicago on

I had a similar issue and my OB/GYN sent me for physical therapy.

Something you could try - put a pillow in between your legs (knees/feet) as you sleep. When you sleep on your side with your feet on top of each other, that causes the muscles in and around the hip to stretch unnaturally (think about how your body/back is positioned when sleeping on your side). Lifting the hip so it isn't in a constant stretch all night long may help.

My physical therapist also had me do some exercises on a core ball. I called them the 'stripper pole' moves, for a lack of a better term. Sit on a large core ball and keep your upper body still while rotating your hips slowly in a circle. Be sure to go clockwise and counterclockwise. The motion should be slow and deliberate, as if you were, well, holding onto a stripper pole and gyrating behind it. These worked wonders for me because they allowed gentle stretching of the muscles in the lower back.

Good luck!

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N.W.

answers from Chicago on

Iam a massage therapist and I work at a chiropractic office and i got adjusted throughout my entire pregnancy and it got rid of any back pain and also allowed me to continue working full time doing massages with out pain up until 5 days before i delivered. I would try it I work in an office that specializes in pregnancy and child care and I know there are other like ours if you need help finding one let me know. Good Luck

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A.S.

answers from Chicago on

The only things that helped me with both pregnancies were seeing a chiro (he actually just stretched me and then taped up my SI joint because it becomes so loose during pregnancy it was causing me pain from not being able to stabilize my torso); and sleeping/laying whenever possible with pillows in strategic places (under knees, between knees if on side, behind lower back, under belly) again to stabilize my spine and give my muscles a chance to rest and recover. Without the pillows, laying down was pushing my muscles and joints all out of alignment, so it was actually making the pain worse. Heat also exacerbated the pain since it was making my joints swell. I'd definitely check with a chiropractor, or ask your OB and perhaps they could refer you to a physical therapist?

1 mom found this helpful
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D.C.

answers from Chicago on

I would recommend you see a chiropractor, one that knows how to adjust pregnant women. My husband happens to be one and I got adjusted throughout my whole pregnancy and never had any pains. He works out of Sycamore but he is also affiliated with an office in Bartlett. I guarantee you will be happy you went. Everything you are doing now is just treating the symptoms and not treating the source of the problem. His name is Justin and his number is ###-###-####. Good luck!

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D.I.

answers from South Bend on

Have you tried putting a pillow between your knees? I had a lot of back pain when I was pregnant with all 3 of my boys. I lied on my side and put a pillow between my knees and it seemed to help me. If that doesn't help then I would put a call into the doc. and see what he/she recommends that may help you out.

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E.B.

answers from Chicago on

When I was pregnant with my first, I had a horrible back pain in the same spot on my back, just below my shoulder blade. It started just around my 3rd trimester, and unfortunately the only remedy was delivery! My son was just positioned in a spot that hurt me pretty badly. It went away immediately after he was born.

Prenatal massages are about the only thing you can do to manage the pain, but that's only temporary. Good luck! - I'm 26 weeks pregnant, too, and I'm hoping to get through this one relatively pain-free ;)

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A.P.

answers from Chicago on

This happen to me at 27 weeks with my first baby. I could hardly walk! I went to see a chiro. in Frankfort (Frankfort Chiropratic Clinic) and within a day I was back to normal. It is hard when your pelvis is moving and the baby maybe sitting on a nerve. Good luck...I feel ur pain!

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A.Z.

answers from Chicago on

Without going into a long winded story....chiropractic care is the BEST!!! I went through all of my pregnancies(it helped so much when I was pregnant w/my twins...I never had anymore pain after I started going) and my 4 kids have been all getting adjustments since they were 2 weeks old...you would not believe the results! If you are skeptical(as many are) do some research about the benefits of chiropractic care...you will be plesantly surprised. Good luck!

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J.Y.

answers from Chicago on

Where is the pain? I had severe pain under my shoulder blades and could not figure out why. It was so bad that I would cry. I realized that it was from my bra. I loosened up the shoulder straps and back clasps and the pain amazingly went away.

1 mom found this helpful
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J.G.

answers from Chicago on

I had horriable back pain when I was pregnant. The first time was gallbladder, but they didn't figure it out until after the baby was born and I needed emergancy surgery, the second time a chiropractor did the trick. Have your ob refer you to a GI doctor who will listen to you.
J.

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E.M.

answers from Chicago on

HI J.,
I agree with the other replies. A chiropractor is such a help!
I've been adjusted throughout my pregnancy (I'm 38 wks now)m and it has done wonders. Also, if you can get into a pool, that takes a lot of the pressure off the back too.
Family Chiropractic in Addison is where we go-- Dr. Pete Call: ###-###-####

1 mom found this helpful
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C.G.

answers from Chicago on

There are certain stretches you can do to alleviate back pain. Try googling pregnancy stretches or exercise and you should find a whole list. If you are seeing a midwife they can usually give you some good info on exercises like this. Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful
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D.V.

answers from Chicago on

Go see a chiropractor. They are very up on pregancy. They can help you so much. It will make the next 3 months so much easier for you. A good chiropractor can get that baby off the nerve it's sitting on.

1 mom found this helpful
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K.B.

answers from Chicago on

You didnt say where the pain was at but maybe you should have it looked at it could be a number of things. I was prone to kidney infections when I was pregnant and my pain was always in the lower back to one side and would shoot down my leg. I would definitely call the doc for any back pain. good luck

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S.C.

answers from Indianapolis on

Check and make sure it isn't gallbladder issues. Soon after I had my first daughter, I had really bad back pain that I thought was just muscle pain, but it got so severe and sudden that I went to get it looked at, and I needed my gallbladder removed. As it turns out, many women have gallbladder attachs during pregnancy, too.
Try to understand if it's actually muscle related, or if could be organ related. If ice, heating pads, or masages don't help, I would seriously consider it being an organ problem.

Hope this helps...

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E.W.

answers from Chicago on

I was just at my midwife appointment Friday (17 weeks pregnant!) and when I mentioned back pain she said it could be a bladder infection. Worth mentioning to your doctor/giving them a call and getting it checked out.

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M.S.

answers from Chicago on

I am 25 weeks and have been having this same sort of pain for a few weeks. Hurts when I sit, get up, lay down, etc. I'm thinking it might be time for a new bra. Sorry I couldn't be much help.

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D.R.

answers from Fort Wayne on

Acupressure and massage therapy do wonders for any kind of muscular pain and in between sessions get a couple tennis balls or other small rubber balls --put in an old sock and lay on them on the floor or bed or lean up against a wall and roll on them or just lean on them. Also do use the pillow between the knees for sleep as others have suggested. A chiropractor could be good too but try massage or acupressure first. I have worked with pregnant women manyh times and had regular massage when I was pregnant (many years ago!)Also it is hard to be pregnant with a toddler --be sure to not lift her --at least no more than is absolutley necessary and use your legs when you do!

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S.D.

answers from Indianapolis on

Warm baths and a chiropractor do wonders for back, pelvic, and hip pains in pregnancy!!! You can also try alternative medicine like acupuncture/acupressure, massage, cupping, etc...there are a lot of options out there and you will be surprised what your insurance will agree to pay for!

1 mom found this helpful
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G.M.

answers from Indianapolis on

Have you had a urinalisis to check for a bladder infection?

1 mom found this helpful
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D.T.

answers from Indianapolis on

Is it down low? Like on/near your buttock and radiating down a leg? If so, it could be your sciatica. It's common for the nerve to get pinched when pregnant due to loosening ligaments. Sometimes massage will help but it's usually temporary. I saw a chiropractor during all of my pregnancies for sciatica pain. I would enter the office barely able to walk or stand up straight and after a couple minutes the pain was completely gone. I had been very skeptical but I had to do something. If you see a chiropractor, go to one that's been specially trained to work with pregnant moms.

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D.K.

answers from Indianapolis on

You need to get the book PAIN FREE WOMEN. This book is based on the EGOSCUE method. I'm a certified posture alignement & pain management specialist. This book will give you specific things to do for each trimester, post birth, etc. This book has even helped people who can't get pregnant and/or have had multiple miscarriages. Once the position of the pelvis changes, people have had success with bringing a child to full term.

Let me know about your success!

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N.M.

answers from Chicago on

I agree with the other responses. First check with your doctor/midwife and make sure there is not a medical reason for the pain (infection, gall bladder, baby). If those are clear you could go see a physical therapist in your area familiar with working with pregnant moms. I'm also a PT and have worked with many. There are some hands on things we can do and can demo the proper exercises you can do to help yourself. Also watch carrying the 30 month old. My two are similar ages apart, and the older one can really do a number on your back.

1 mom found this helpful
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J.S.

answers from Chicago on

i recommend a chiropractor. i saw mine thru both my pregnancies and never had back aches.
i see dr. richard whitney at whitney chiropractic in Naperville (95th/Rte 59) or his ofc in Lisle. he's awesome. plus, they have massage therapists trained in prenatal massage. you'd hve to ck to see if your insurance covers massage therapists tho. this will all help relieve the pain. you'll hv to go back regularly, but you will definitely feel relief. plus, it's great to prep you for labor! :-)

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C.B.

answers from Bloomington on

It is very common now for women to have their gall bladders go bad during pregnancy. I had bad back pain that would wake me up, nothing helped, I even would get physically ill. I would bring it up with your doctor. If it is your gall bladder, it is very very serious. If it is your gall bladder, your body is poisoning itself and the doctors will install a stint until after the baby is born when they will when remove the gall bladder and stint. I would call your doctor tomorrow. Wouldn't hurt to have it looked at. Mine hurt through the last trimester and I thought it was pain from a shift in my weight due to the baby. A week after my daughter was born, I had emergency surgery. My skin was as orange as a pumpkin. My bilirubin count was 10 times normal and I almost died. Very serious matter.

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W.P.

answers from Chicago on

Back pain is incredibly common for the pregnant women for obvious reasons. I prefer a naprapath to a chiropractor and she will probably recommend back exercises as well. You will need to keep healthy back after baby is born too-all that lifting and carrying!Good luck!

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L.*.

answers from Chicago on

Have you tried sleeping with a pillow between your knees, on your side? It usually takes the pressure off. Also, avoid sitting on soft couches, chairs etc. Try to support your back during the day by sitting in an upright chair.

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C.S.

answers from Indianapolis on

Hi-I work in Physical Therapy and you are doing the right things(be cautious with the heat as a fetus cannot regulate it's own temp or sweat to cool down). You can treat spot areas of pain with a tennis ball massage/deep pressure technique. Stand against a wall and place tennis ball at spot of pain. Lean into wall and ball. The amount of deep pressure is to your tolerance, the massage occurs when you bend your knees and slide up and down the wall with the tennis ball. If these things don't help, Physical Therapy clinics that have back and/or Women's Health Specialists can use other techniques that are safe for you and baby. I work for Community Health Network, and Leigh Ann Abbott is a Women's Health Specialist at our South side and East side facilities. She is great!! East's Rehab and Sports Med for Community phone # is ###-###-####. They can help you set up appt for either location.
C. S (mom to 6yo son, 3yo daughter with Down syndrome)

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C.W.

answers from Rockford on

First, congratulations on the pregnancy. I am 25 weeks pregnant. Have you considered siatic pain? After checking with your care provider, I recommend cat/cows from yoga or pelvic rocking. I have 3 herniated discs and these help a lot. It is also great to do before bed as it helps lift the uterus off of the bladder...less late night potty trips! This pregnancy, I have also been going to a belly dancing class. Although you can not do the fast or sharp movements, bellydancing has allowed me to stretch and strenghten parts of my torso that I have not been able to do ever before. It also helps with toning the muscles used in birthing. Best of luck and I really hope this helps!

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