The pregnancy period can be both beautiful and difficult. As your baby is growing and developing, your body is going through a number of changes as well. Unfortunately, joint pain is one of the common symptoms of pregnancy, causing difficulties moving (especially in the latter stages of pregnancy).
If you want to deal with such problems in an efficient manner, keep on reading this article and find the best solutions. Learn how to get rid of joint pain and improve your overall functioning, sharing your newfound advice with friends and family members.
Joint Pain, A Common Symptom Of Mothers-To-Be
As it was already mentioned above, joint pain is one of the most common symptoms that can appear during pregnancy. Unfortunately, it can affect both the major and the minor joints, causing not only discomfort but also stiffness and soreness.
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As you will go through pregnancy week by week, you will experience more or less intense joint pain, including in your back. You might have difficulties moving, requiring more bed rest.
Causes Of Joint Pain During Pregnancy
The first thing that you need to understand is that you will gain weight during pregnancy. Depending on the weight gain, a more or less intense pressure is going to be placed on your joints, especially on the knees and heels. This is often seen in first-time mothers. In some situations, there might be other factors contributing to the joint pain, such as the excessive physical effort.
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The weight again, in combination with water retention, can cause additional problems, such as the carpal tunnel syndrome. This can lead to pain at the level of the wrist and also in your hands, reducing your overall functionality. The joint pain can also point out to the fact that your thyroid hormones are at a low level; if that is the case, you will have to receive a supplement, in order to ensure a healthy pregnancy.
Last, but not least, the growing uterus represents one of the main causes of lower back pain. You need to take it easy and spend more time in bed, in order to ensure that you go through the last stage of pregnancy without complications.
How To Get Rid Of Joint Pain During Pregnancy?
In order to obtain the much desired joint pain relief, it is essential to rest, avoiding spending too much time standing. At the same time, you have to seek out only comfortable positions, including when you are sitting. Otherwise, the joint pain is only going to become worse. Elevating your feet might help with the pain, so make sure to give it a try.
Taking medication for pain is a tricky business, as the drugs can influence the proper growth and development of the baby. You need to consult your doctor before taking any medication, no matter how harmless it might seem. The doctor can establish whether a drug is safe to be taken or not.
Physical therapy can be of tremendous help, as it can help you improve your overall range of motion and obtain joint pain relief. The physical therapist can introduce you to low-impact exercises, as these are gentle on the joints and can help you stay flexible throughout the pregnancy. You can also try hydrotherapy; similar exercises are going to be performed in water. With the gravitation eliminated, you will find that certain movements are easier to perform.
Cold applications are recommended to be used in the acute period; if you are going to use ice packs, make sure to wrap them in a towel first, so that they do not damage the skin. Heat applications, on the other hand, are best reserved for when the acute period has passed. A heating pad or an electric blanket can do wonders on your joints, but make sure you use them exactly as instructed.
Massage therapy can bring relief from the discomforting joint pain. Moreover, it can help you relax and concentrate on the beautiful period of pregnancy. You can also try acupuncture in order to obtain relief from the pain but make sure you do it under the careful supervision of your doctor. In the situation that you will suffer from the upsetting carpal tunnel syndrome, splints might be used to improve the experienced symptoms.
In conclusion, it is possible to get rid of joint pain during pregnancy, especially if you will give the recommended solutions a try. You can also resort to herbal supplements, making sure these are approved by your doctor as well.
