Would you like to switch to the accessible version of this site?

Go to accessible site Close modal window

Don't need the accessible version of this site?

Hide the accessibility button Close modal window
Accessibility View Close toolbar
Manoa Chiropractic and Therapeutic Massage

2851 E Manoa Road Suite 1-205

Honolulu, HI 96822 US

808-988-6113

Open mobile navigation
  • Home
  • Appointment Request
  • Services & Techniques
  • No Fault
  • Workers Compensation
  • Home >
  • Articles >
  • Newsletter Library >
  • Pregnancy & Parenting >
  • Pregnancy, Parenting, and Lower Back Pain

Pregnancy, Parenting, and Lower Back Pain

  • Created in Newsletter Library, Pregnancy & Parenting

You're pregnant! Congratulations! Your body's changing-wondrously, marvelously. One unexpected and unwelcome change may be lower back pain. Recent studies suggest that two-thirds of pregnant women experience lower back pain.1

These statistics seem reasonable. The weight of the growing baby, plus the weight of the placenta and amniotic fluid, create an unbalanced load in front of the lower back. The result is irritation of spinal ligaments, muscles, and tendons, causing pain, muscle spasm, and loss of mobility.

Of course, some cases of pregnancy-related back pain have specific medical causes. Uncommon conditions such as pregnancy-associated osteoporosis, septic arthritis, and inflammatory arthritis may need to be considered.2

That said, the vast majority of cases of back pain in pregnancy are mechanical in origin.

Your doctor of chiropractic will perform a complete examination and determine the correct course of treatment, if appropriate. Once you're feeling better, you can begin

stretching and doing safe, gentle exercises that will help prevent recurrences of lower back pain. The goal is to strengthen your lower back and minimize the mechanical effects of pregnancy.

The best method of preventing back pain in the first place is being fit. This includes healthy nutrition, gaining a moderate amount of weight, and regular exercise. Your obstetrician will likely recommend vitamin and iron supplements and will monitor your weight. The average healthy woman gains between 25 and 35 pounds during the course of her pregnancy.3

Let's fast forward a few years. Your newborn is now a toddler. Parents know that if you have kids, stuff happens. You bend over to place a bulky car seat in your car. Then you place your child in it. And then, you bend over to remove the car seat from your car. If you've gone to the mall, kids want Daddy or Mommy to carry them. Pick them up, cart them around, put them down again.

What's a parent to do? It's not like you can avoid any of these activities. Your kids are kids - it's up to you to do stuff for them. The answer lies in regular exercise. "But how will I find time to exercise, when there already isn't enough time to do the things I need to do?"

That's a tough question, but if you recognize the benefits, you'll make the effort to make the time. Forty-five minutes or an hour per workout, three or four times a week, will be plenty. And, once you're in the habit of exercising, you'll notice it's easier to lift your kids, easier to bend over, easier to carry them. It's easier because you're

fitter and stronger. And healthier. And, surprisingly, you're having more fun.

1Pennick VE, Young G: Interventions for preventing and treating pelvic and back pain in pregnancy. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 18(2):CD001139, 2007.
2Sax TW, Rosenbaum RB: Neuromuscular disorders in pregnancy. Muscle Nerve 34(5):559-571, 2006.
3Jain NJ, et al: Maternal obesity: can pregnancy weight gain modify risk of selected adverse pregnancy outcomes? Am J Perinatol 24(5):291-298, 2007.

  • About Chiropractic Care
    • What is Chiropractic
    • How Does it Work
    • Who is Chiropractic For
    • Vertebral Subluxation
    • Wellness Resources
  • Common Conditions Treated
    • Auto Accident Injuries
    • Back and Shoulder Pain
    • Body Pain
    • Chronic Condition Relief
      • Conditions Affecting Women
      • Headaches
    • Herniated Discs
    • Improved Health
    • Pediatric Ailments
    • Repetitive Use Injuries
    • Respiratory Function
  • Health & Wellness
    • Healthy Thinking
      • Get Positive
      • Relaxation Techniques
    • Life in Motion
    • Wellness Lifestyle Tips
      • Treat Yourself Well
      • Treat Others Well
      • Eat Well
    • Wellness Essentials
      • At Home
      • At Work
      • Exercise
      • Nutrition
      • What You Wear
    • Wellness Perspectives
      • Mental
      • Spiritual
      • Social
      • Physical
  • Therapies & Techniques
    • Techniques
    • Therapies
  • Newsletter Library
    • Back, Body & Joint Pain
    • Healthy Tips
    • Exercise & Fitness
    • Injury Rehab & Prevention
    • Kid's Health
    • Illness Prevention
    • Chronic Conditions
    • Nutrition & Healthy Eating
    • Breaking Bad Habits
    • Senior Health
    • Weight Loss
    • Pregnancy & Parenting
    • Wellness
    • Mind-Body Connection
    • Stress & Anxiety
    • Life-Work Balance
    • Staying Young
    • Staying Motivated
  • Wellness4Kids

Contact us today to learn more!

Sign-up using the form or call us at 808-988-6113 to get more information.

Office Hours

*Please note that we are only open every other Saturday at the moment. Please view our Google listing to verify we are open!

Monday:

9:00am - 5:00pm

Tuesday:

9:00am - 5:00pm

Wednesday:

9:00am - 5:00pm

Thursday:

9:00am - 1:30pm

Friday:

9:00am - 6:00pm

Saturday:

9:00am - 7:00pm

Sunday:

Closed

Location

Find us on the map

Yelp Testimonials

Give us a review!

  • "First time trying a chiropractor, and needless to say I was not disappointed. They are very professional and quick to respond, great availability for my busy schedule!"
    Ella K.
  • "Dr. Kim is amazing! He's helped me through many different body injuries and is always such a joy! Definitely recommend seeing him!"
    U'ilani L.
  • "I've visited Dr. Kim and Charles about 30 times so far. They have done wonders for my chronic lower back pain that I've suffered with for the past 15 plus years. I highly recommend them and in fact many of my family members and friends have become their patients since my first visit in July 2018."
    Carlos Kaukahi S.
  • "Dr. Kim and his team of massage therapists and front desk assistants are the hidden gems of therapy. A good friend of mine introduced me to Manoa Chiropratic over a year ago. Since then my body has thanked me each time I walk out of there. Skilled, efficient and friendly! Plus, many folks don't know that this may be a coveted benefit through your insurance. Give them a go!"
    Casey P.
No form settings found. Please configure it.

Follow Us

Give us a review on Yelp!

  • Copyright © 2023 MH Sub I, LLC dba iMatrix.
  • Admin Log In
  • Site Map