Neck pain during pregnancy is quite joint, and nearly 40% of women will end up seeing their doctor for it. Unsurprisingly, a woman’s body will undergo many changes during the 9 months, as you would expect given you are growing a baby. The added weight of the baby and the hormonal changes and changes in the lifestyle will add up and make neck and shoulder pain during the pregnancy inevitable. The issue occurs when you don’t take steps to manage and treat the pain during the early signs.
Common Causes of Neck Pain While Pregnant
Every woman’s body is quite different, and every pregnancy is different as well. So, don’t be surprised if you hear some women saying that they start facing the pain in the third trimester. For the others, neck and shoulder pain can begin in the first month. Here are the reasons why women experience the subsequent pain during pregnancy.
- Bad Posture: A hunched-over posture on the phone or during work at a desk may also cause neck and back pain.
- Changes in spinal Curvature: The baby’s weight and the amniotic sac will change the curvature of the spine and make the neck muscle compensate.
- Day-to-Day Tasks: A growing belly means that you will move and handle everyday things, which strains the muscles that are not used to it and causes neck pain during pregnancy 4 weeks.
- Overexertion: Exercise and movements that were easy become too much for the body and also cause injury as well. It is one of the primary reasons for right side neck pain in early pregnancy.
- Shifting Center of Gravity: When your baby becomes heavier, the centre of gravity shifts, and your body’s posture changes, leading to left side neck pain early pregnancy.
- Hormones: The relaxin and the progesterone hormones will loosen the joints and ligaments and make you more susceptible to muscle aches and pains.
- Lack of Exercise: Insufficient exercise will cause the muscles to atrophy and tighten, causing a stiff neck during pregnancy.
Remedies to Treat Neck Pain During Pregnancy
As a growing human, nothing will be a bullet, but the mix of some remedies will help you reduce back neck pain during pregnancy.
- Maintain Good Posture
Focus on your sitting, standing and work posture. Make sure to keep your shoulder and lower back straight, improving your spinal alignment and easing your neck pain pregnancy first trimester.
- Give Yourself a Warm or Cold Compress
You need to apply a warm or cold compress regularly to relieve the pain and stiffness in the neck.
- Get a Pregnancy Pillow
Pregnancy pillows will conform to the shape of the protruding abdomen, and they also support the neck, back, knees and hips and relieve the pressure on joints.
- Stretching and Exercises
Stretching exercises and the pregnancy-safe workout will make your muscles elastic and relax your body. It would help if you remembered to start slowly so that you don’t harm yourself.
- Take up Prenatal Yoga
Prenatal yoga is also one of the best ways to ease tension in the neck and shoulders. It also provides wholesome movement, allows you to focus on breathing, and improves flexibility.
- Try the Tennis Ball Trick
You have to take a tennis ball and place it where your neck, upper back, and shoulder meet. Roll it around gently with your hand and sore areas.
- Talk to Your Doctor About OTC Pain Medication
We are putting this at the lower down the list as most pregnant women are trying to avoid unnecessary pain medication during the term; you can check if your doctor recommends over-the-counter pain medication to you.
- See a Therapist for Pregnancy Neck Pain
You can visit a licensed chiropractor or physiotherapist to adjust the misaligned joints. Chiropractic care is completely safe during pregnancy and reduces high blood pressure.
Final Verdict
Above, we have covered some of the best cures for neck pain during pregnancy. You can follow these methods to get rid of the neck pain while you are pregnant. Make sure to consult with your doctor before trying these methods. Share this guide with others so that they can also benefit from this guide. If you have any questions or queries, please get in touch with us by commenting below.
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FAQs
Is neck pain during pregnancy normal?
Neck pain pregnancy second trimester is one of the common problems that lots of women suffer from during their pregnancy. When a woman is pregnant, her body goes through many changes constantly. These changes will occur quickly, and as the baby grows, the added weight of the pregnancy will take its toll on the woman’s spine and body.
How can I stop my neck from hurting during pregnancy?
Reducing neck pain during the third trimester of pregnancy can be achieved by practicing proper sitting, standing, working, and sleeping posture. To correct your spinal alignment, you need to maintain a straight lower back and shoulders.
Is Neck massage safe during pregnancy?
Yes, massage therapy during pregnancy has been shown to provide many benefits like wellness, improved relaxation and better sleep. Some techniques and trigger points in the body will cause contractions and premature labour.
When does neck pain start in pregnancy?
The first trimester consists of the duration between the 1st week to the 12th week of pregnancy. During this period, severe neck pain during pregnancy is more expected than back pain. Left side neck pain pregnancy occurs mainly due to the forward head posture or the muscle strain because of the awkward sleeping position.