Lower Back Pain During Pregnancy
Lower back pain is one of the most common discomforts experienced during pregnancy, affecting up to 70 percent of women. As your body adapts to hormonal shifts, weight changes, and postural adjustments, the muscles and joints in your lower back can become strained, tight, and overworked.
Pelvic floor physiotherapy provides an effective, safe, and evidence-informed way to reduce pain, improve movement, and support your body throughout pregnancy. Understanding why back pain happens and how to treat it early can make your pregnancy far more comfortable and empowering.
⭐Key Takeaways
Lower back pain is extremely common in pregnancy due to hormonal, biomechanical, and postural changes
Pelvic floor physiotherapy offers safe, targeted treatment to relieve pain and improve stability
Early intervention prevents worsening symptoms and supports a healthier pregnancy
Manual therapy, pelvic floor treatment, and posture coaching are all effective for managing pregnancy-related back pain
Personalized guidance ensures exercises and activities are safe and appropriate for each trimester
What Causes Lower Back Pain During Pregnancy?
Weight Distribution & Centre of Gravity Changes
As your baby grows, your body naturally shifts forward. This increases pressure on the lumbar spine, which can strain your back muscles and joints.
Hormonal Changes (Relaxin & Progesterone)
Pregnancy hormones soften ligaments and connective tissues to prepare your pelvis for childbirth. This can reduce stability around the spine and pelvis, increasing lower back pain.
Postural Compensation
Many women adopt a slight swayback posture or rib flare to balance the growing uterus. These adaptations can overwork the lower back muscles, leading to stiffness and pain.
Stress & Muscle Tension
Stress during pregnancy can contribute to increased pelvic floor and lumbar muscle tension, which often presents as lower back pain.
Why Addressing Lower Back Pain Is Important
Lower back pain that goes untreated can affect:
Walking and daily activities
Sleep and rest
Pelvic floor function
Emotional well-being and stress
Labour and postpartum recovery
Early treatment supports long-term pelvic health, reduces pain, and improves mobility.
How Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy Helps Relieve Lower Back Pain
Pelvic floor physiotherapy is one of the most effective treatments for pregnancy-related lower back pain. At Ova, we take a global, whole-body approach.
1. Postural Assessment & Guidance
We assess your posture, breathing mechanics, and pelvic alignment to understand the root cause of your pain. You’ll learn how to stand, move, sleep, and lift in ways that reduce lumbar strain.
2. Tailored Pregnancy-Safe Exercises
Your physiotherapist designs a customized program to improve function in the deep core and pelvic floor muscles, providing proper support for your spine.
3. Hands-On Manual Therapy
Gentle techniques such as soft tissue release, myofascial mobilization, and pelvic alignment work help decrease tension and restore mobility.
4. Pelvic Floor Treatment (When Needed)
Tight or underactive pelvic floor muscles can contribute to back pain. Treatment may include pelvic floor release, coordination work, or activation exercises.
5. Movement Strategies & Daily-Life Modifications
We teach efficient movement patterns for pregnancy, including:
Safe rolling
Getting out of bed
Sitting and standing
Bending and lifting techniques
6. Personalized Treatment Plans
Each pregnancy is different. Your plan adapts as your body changes through each trimester.
When to Seek Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy
Book a pelvic floor physiotherapy session if you experience:
Lower back pain that persists longer than a few days
Pain when walking, climbing stairs, or rolling in bed
Pelvic pressure or heaviness
Sciatica or radiating pain
Difficulty sleeping due to discomfort
Immediate care is recommended if pain affects mobility or daily activities.
❓FAQs About About Pregnancy-Related Lower Back Pain
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It is common but not “normal” to the point that you should tolerate it. Persistent pain is a sign your body needs support.
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Yes. Treatment is always adapted to your trimester, symptoms, and comfort level.
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Yes. Many pregnant women develop sciatic nerve irritation due to posture or pelvic shifts. Physiotherapy can relieve nerve tension and improve mobility.
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Absolutely. Improving pelvic alignment, posture, breathing, and relaxation all support a smoother labour and postpartum recovery.
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Yes, with proper guidance. Your physiotherapist will modify exercises to keep you safe and comfortable.
Why Choose Ova in Burnaby, BC?
At Ova, pregnancy care is not a general service; it is our specialty. We are trusted across Burnaby and the Lower Mainland for providing expert, compassionate pelvic floor physiotherapy tailored to each stage of pregnancy.
What makes Ova different?
✅ Extensive experience in treating pregnancy-related pain
We have helped thousands of pregnant women manage lower back pain, pelvic girdle pain, sciatica, pubic symphysis dysfunction, and more.
✅Global training in prenatal and pelvic health physiotherapy
Our assessments look at posture, pelvic alignment, breathing mechanics, muscle function, and core activation.
✅ Safe, gentle, evidence-informed treatment
We use manual therapy, pelvic floor treatment, core stabilization, breathing work, and movement retraining tailored to your trimester.
✅Whole-body approach that looks beyond symptoms
Back pain is rarely isolated. We address pelvic floor function, rib mobility, hip mechanics, stress patterns, and daily habits.
✅ Emergency appointments available
Symptoms such as severe pain or clogged milk ducts cannot wait. We offer urgent appointments outside of regular hours.
✅ Trusted by women across Vancouver, Burnaby, and BC
You’ll receive care that is attentive, respectful, and personalized. We support your comfort, confidence, and well-being throughout pregnancy and beyond.
Ready to Begin?
Don’t wait. The sooner we start, the sooner you can feel stronger and more supported. Space is limited due to high demand, but if you’re ready to take the first step toward lasting pelvic health, we’re here to help.
Want to Learn More? Explore Our Exclusive E-Books, Videos, and Resources
At Ova Women’s Health, we’re not just here to treat; we’re here to educate. If you’re looking for real answers to complex pelvic health concerns, our content goes beyond what you’ll typically find online.
📘 Intimate & Vulvar Hygiene E-Book
A must-read for every woman, especially in early adulthood. This comprehensive guide explains how to care for your intimate area safely and effectively—what to use, what to avoid, and why gentle, evidence-based hygiene is essential for long-term pelvic and sexual health. It’s the foundation of healthy habits that support balance, comfort, and confidence at every stage of life.
📲 Follow us on our Instagram
We share bite-sized, expert-led videos on everything from pelvic pain and sexual health to topics rarely discussed, like vulvar hygiene, oral sex safety, and jaw–pelvic floor connections.
📺 Visit our YouTube channel
For practical guidance and empowering education designed to help you understand your body and feel more in control of your health.
We cover the topics that are often ignored or misunderstood, because women deserve better.
📌Related Blogs on Our Website
➡️Ultrasound Therapy for Clogged Milk Ducts
➡️Understanding Diastasis Recti
➡️Bowel & Bladder Issues During Pregnancy and Postpartum
➡️Cesarean Birth Rehabilitation
➡️Restoring Strength and Stability After Childbirth
