Low back pain in pregnancy

Gjestland, 2013Kovacs, 2012Shiri, 2018Vleeming, 2008

Nonspecific low back pain occurs in 50 to 70% of pregnant people. It occurs more commonly in individuals with previous back pain, whether associated with pregnancy or not, but is not correlated with the person’s weight or the size of the fetus. The incidence of lumbar disc herniation resulting in radiculopathy in pregnancy is 1 to 3%, which is no higher than in the general population.

Prepregnancy fitness and continuation of a strengthening program throughout pregnancy may reduce the likelihood and severity of low back pain in pregnancy. Exercise programs should be prepared by someone who has experience in managing pregnant people. Beneficial exercises include gentle stretching, pelvic tilt exercises, resistance training, strengthening and stabilisation, water-based aerobic exercises and yogaDavenport, 2019.

If exercise is insufficient to control low back pain in pregnancy, use: