Postural changes associated with pregnancy and their relationship with low-back pain
1School of Physical and Health Education, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada.
Clinical Biomechanics (Bristol, Avon)
|August 7, 2013
Summary
Pregnancy can cause postural changes, like lumbar spine flattening, which may relate to mild low-back pain. Early pregnancy lordosis changes were inversely linked to pain levels in this study.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Biomechanics
- Musculoskeletal Health
Background:
- Pregnancy involves significant physiological changes affecting posture.
- Low-back pain is a common complaint during pregnancy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate postural alterations during pregnancy.
- To explore the association between these postural changes and low-back pain.
Main Methods:
- A longitudinal study of 30 healthy pregnant women.
- Monthly measurements of lordotic and kyphotic curvature, and line of gravity.
- Daily pain diaries to assess low-back pain severity.
Main Results:
- Most women exhibited lumbar spine flattening during pregnancy.
- Kyphotic curvature changes were less consistent.
- The line of gravity remained largely unaffected for most participants.
- Mild low-back pain was prevalent, with an inverse relationship between early pregnancy lordosis changes and pain.
Conclusions:
- Pregnancy-induced postural shifts, particularly lumbar flattening, are common.
- While low-back pain is frequent, it is often mild.
- Early pregnancy lordosis modifications may influence pain perception.
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