Musculoskeletal Conditions

Many people view backache, sciatica, rib, hip and pelvic pain as ‘normal’ discomforts of pregnancy.  These conditions can even be seen in early pregnancy when there are very few changes in a woman’s body – musculoskeletal issues are often due to the hormonal effects of progesterone and relaxin on the ligaments. As the pregnancy progresses these conditions often become more prevalent.

In addition to the weight of the growing foetus which needs to be compensated for by a woman’s muscle and joints, there is also the fact that the woman’s centre of gravity is completely changed due to the uneven distribution of weight carried mainly in the abdomen rather than evenly over the entire body. It is this that most commonly leads to neck and shoulder problems, pelvic and back pain.

In Chinese Medicine we see musculoskeletal pain as a blockage and a disruption to the flow of Qi (energy) and blood within the channel pathway. Common musculo-skeletal conditions successful treated with Acupuncture include:

• Pain of the symphysis pubis. This is classified as pain that presents around the pubic bone, sometimes radiating into the lower back or groin and is described as a painful grating sensation.The pain can range from mild discomfort to severe debilitating pain. Acupuncture treatment not only diminishes the pain, but if treated when symptoms initially begin, can prevent the pain from becoming worse as the pregnancy progresses.
• It is common for neck and upper back pain to be an exacerbation of a previous condition that can intensify during pregnancy as the woman’s posture changes, as well as the increasing weight of a woman’s breasts. It is important to treat this condition quickly as prolonged recovery can often lead to more serious issues following the birth and with breastfeeding.
• Lower back pain and sciatica is a common presentation in the last few months of pregnancy. The degree of pain can range from a mild discomfort to a debilitating crippling condition.
• Carpal tunnel syndrome is characterised by pain and numbness affecting the thumb, index finger, middle finger and ring finger, frequently occurring in the later stages of pregnancy due to oedema in the hands. If severe, the syndrome interferes with daily activities and also affects sleep.
• Painful leg cramps that occur at night are very common in later stage pregnancy.  In western medicine these cramps are thought to be the result of changing calcium and phosphorus levels circulating in the bloodstream and the pressure of the uterus restricting venous blood return.
• Restless leg syndrome has symptoms associated with a strong urge to move the legs when sitting or lying down, usually worse at night accompanied by strange leg sensations described as creeping, prickly, tugging or crawling feeling in the legs.