Back pain is usually a constant complaint among pregnant women, for this reason Dr. Luis Neira, a traumatologist at Clinica Ricardo Palma and a spine specialist, mentions that back discomfort in pregnant women is usually caused by the uncontrolled increase of the weight.

In relation to the aforementioned, there are two very common myths during this period that should be eradicated, such as: “I am eating for two” or “exercising is dangerous for the baby.” In addition, he gives us some recommendations to avoid back pain during pregnancy:

• Maintain a balanced diet and an adequate weight. The ideal is an increase in weight between 10 to 15 kilos maximum
• Perform appropriate exercises as the case may be. Those exercises in which the spine has to support “bar weight or deadlift” should be avoided.
• If you are working at a computer, take active breaks to relax your muscles
• Walk with a straight back, avoiding arching the spine or pulling the abdomen out
• Wear comfortable shoes with good foot support
• Not staying in one position for a long time, be it sitting for more than an hour, standing or lying down
• Sleeping on your side, on a firm mattress and placing a pillow between your legs
• Receive massages to relieve contractures
• Do breathing and strengthening exercises for your back muscles

If in spite of everything, the pregnant woman suffers from “swellings” while at rest and cannot perform daily activities, has pain in the legs or fever, she should go to a spine specialist to be evaluated and have adequate treatment.

Dr. Luis Neira
Traumatologist at Clínica Ricardo Palma