Postpartum back pain is less common than pregnancy back pain, but is still a relatively typical phenomenon for new mothers to experience. The usual temporary causes of dorsalgia associated with pregnancy often end with the birth or shortly thereafter. However, some unfortunate women continue to experience discomfort long after the birth and some actually experience it for the first time, despite having a pain-free pregnancy.
This article will explore many of the potential reasons why back ache may persist after giving birth. We will look at purely physical factors, as well as the ever present possibility of mindbody causation.
Postpartum Back Pain Causes
Back pain after giving birth can come from several distinct sources or a combination of many factors acting in unison:
Muscle strain during the actual birth can perpetuate suffering for a few days or weeks after the delivery. The lower back muscles are used, along with the pelvic muscles, during a vaginal birth. Sometimes this pushing can strain the muscles or ligaments in the lumbar region of the back.
Coccyx pain is sometimes the result of a vaginal birth. The coccyx is flexible during labor and is supposed to move out of the way of the birth passage, allowing an easier delivery. Sometimes, the coccyx is more in the way than out of it and can be injured. These injuries occur mostly from the baby’s head, as the child descends the birth canal. Coccyx injuries can be very painful and long lasting.
Sedentary lifestyle change can cause the back muscles to weaken. During pregnancy, the lower back muscles get a good workout every day, just keeping the woman balanced. After a complicated birth, or especially after a Caesarean section, the woman may have to rest in bed for some time. It is common for the lower back muscles to get sore and stiff from this rest, especially after 9 months of constant work. The lower back muscles can also be affected from a caesarean section, by compensating for the surgical damage to the abdominal muscles. The work usually done by the abdominal muscles must be temporarily transferred to the lower back and oblique muscles during healing. This can cause minor soft tissue back ache.
Psychological back pain can begin or carry over as a continuation of pregnancy-related sufferings. The subconscious mind might take the opportunity to use the end of pregnancy as a chance to start a psychologically-induced pain syndrome.
Mindbody Postpartum Back Pain
A variety of mindbody health concerns can also be created due to postpartum syndrome. These conditions are often characterized by physical and psychological symptoms that begin shortly after birth.
This is a very emotional time for a woman and experiencing one or more psychological pain syndromes is fairly common. Common symptoms include depression, fatigue, listlessness, pain, malaise and anger.
Most of these symptoms will pass with time, but some women might consider consulting with a psychologist if they continue to suffer mindbody expressions or if their symptoms worsen.
Back Pain After Giving Birth
If the pain is muscular, and feels like a strain from the birth, then it will most likely heal all by itself. In these diagnosed circumstances, try to relax and spend the time welcoming your precious child to the world, not obsessing over muscular back ache. If you keep a good attitude, the pain should fade quickly as your body heals. If the pain is due to a coccyx injury, be patient. There are few treatments that will really work well for this injury. If it is tolerable, just wait it out. Coccyx injuries can take a very long time to heal. If it is serious, consult your doctor about proper tailbone treatment options.
If neither of these examples fits your symptom profile, then you may be best served by considering the involvement of the mindbody process in the development and continuation of your discomfort. This is nothing to be ashamed of.
Psychological back pain is completely normal. After a birth, a woman’s body is trying to re-balance itself chemically and hormonally. These chemical changes can definitely influence the start of a psychosomatic syndrome. Knowledge therapy may be a good addition to your post-pregnancy health program.
