Condition:
While pregnant, the growing uterus and causes the abdominal muscles to stretch out and become weak. After delivery, weaker abdominal muscles and increased weight throughout the mid-section often result in a changed posture increasing the stress places on your low back. In addition, hormonal changes that occur during and after pregnancy can cause increased joint laxity of the joints surrounding the pelvis and low back which can cause inflammation in the joints and nerves of the low back after having delivered your baby.
Treatment
Physical Therapy is an effective course of treatment for post-pregnancy low back pain. The first goal during treatment is to decrease any inflammation surrounding the nerve roots in the low back. Typical treatment for inflammation is to use anti-inflammatory medication, although, for nursing moms this may not be an option depending on doctor recommendation. Other options to reduce inflammation in the low back include cryotherapy. Once inflammation is controlled, treatment would focus on reducing muscular tension and poor postural habits that may contribute to increased pain through stretching and retraining of posture and positioning. Finally, the long term goal is to retrain the musculature surrounding the spine and hips to better support weight and support the low back through increase tone and bulk.