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Back pain during pregnancy

Take back pain seriously

Back pain during pregnancy probably won't come as a surprise, but that doesn't mean you should ignore it. A low, dull backache may be a sign of preterm labor. And severe back pain or back pain that's accompanied by vaginal bleeding or discharge may indicate an underlying problem that needs attention. If you're concerned about your back pain, contact your health care provider right away.

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References
  1. Back pain during pregnancy. North American Spine Society. http://www.spine.org/Pages/ConsumerHealth/SpineHealthAndWellness/PreventBackPain/BackPainDuringPregnancy.aspx. Accessed Oct. 12, 2008.
  2. Easing back pain during pregnancy. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp115.cfm. Accessed Nov. 8, 2008.
  3. Gordon MC, et al. Maternal physiology. In: Gabbe SG, et al. Obstetrics: Normal and Problem Pregnancies. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/109589655-2/0/1528/23.html?tocnode=54291065&fromURL=23.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-443-06930-7..50005-0_71. Accessed Nov. 8, 2008.
  4. Cunningham FG, et al. Prenatal care. In: Cunningham FG, et al. Williams Obstetrics. 22nd ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Companies; 2005. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=742204. Accessed Nov. 8, 2008.
  5. Stuber KJ, et al. Chiropractic treatment of pregnancy-related low-back pain: A systematic review of the evidence. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics. 2008;31:447.
  6. Bermas BL. Pain related to the musculoskeletal system during pregnancy. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 10, 2008.
  7. Pennick VE, et al. Interventions for preventing and treating pelvic and back pain in pregnancy (Review). Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2007:CD001139.
  8. The secret of good posture. American Physical Therapy Association. http://www.apta.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home&CONTENTID=20457&TEMPLATE=/CM/HTMLDisplay.cfm. Accessed Nov. 13, 2008.
  9. Harms RW (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Nov. 13, 2008.

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