Written by Ansu Susan Kuriakose, BPT · Clinically reviewed by Jasmal K, BPT, MPT · Last reviewed 5 October 2026
Back pain during pregnancy and after birth
Back pain is one of the most common discomforts of pregnancy. More than two-thirds of pregnant women have lower back pain, and almost one in five have pelvic pain. It can continue, or start, after your baby is born. The good news is that safe, tailored exercise and physiotherapy can help.
At Maana Spine, treatment is adapted for pregnancy and the months after birth.
Book a Spine Assessment · or call or WhatsApp +91 99950 09403
Why does back pain happen in pregnancy?
During pregnancy, hormones make ligaments softer and more stretchy to prepare your body for birth. Your posture changes as your baby grows, and your back and pelvis carry more load. Together, these can strain the joints and muscles of the lower back and pelvis.
Pelvic girdle pain is pain around the joints of the pelvis, at the back near the sacroiliac joints or at the front over the pubic bone.
After birth, caring for a newborn means a lot of lifting, carrying, bending and feeding in one position, while your body is still recovering.
Symptoms
- aching in the lower back
- pain at the back of the pelvis, in the buttocks, or over the pubic bone
- pain when walking, climbing stairs, turning in bed or standing on one leg
- pain spreading into the thighs
When to get urgent help
Always tell your doctor or midwife about back pain that's severe or that worries you.
How it's assessed
At your Maana Spine assessment, your physiotherapist asks about your pregnancy or birth, your symptoms and daily routine, checks how your back and pelvis move, and screens for warning signs. Please tell us how many weeks pregnant you are, or when and how you gave birth, and share any advice from your doctor or midwife.
You'll get a physiotherapy diagnosis and a personalised plan. You don't need a scan to book; if one would help, your physiotherapist will recommend an MRI or X-ray.
How we approach pregnancy and postnatal back pain
Treatment follows a special adaptation of Maana Spine DTX™ for pregnancy and the months after birth. Exercise and pain management (short-term pain relief, such as cold therapy and electrotherapy) are the core of every plan:
Assess: we look at your stage of pregnancy or recovery, your symptoms, and any warning signs.
Decompress: depending on your stage of pregnancy, spinal decompression may be used where it's suitable. If it can't be used, your plan focuses on exercise and pain management.
Restore: pain management, gentle mobility work, hands-on (manual) therapy where appropriate, and physiotherapist-led stretching, in comfortable, supported positions.
Strengthen: our four-level exercise roadmap (Level 1 Restore, Level 2 Stabilise, Level 3 Strengthen, Level 4 Maintain), adapted for pregnancy and recovery after birth, including the core, pelvic and buttock muscles.
Empower: comfortable positions for sleeping, sitting, lifting and feeding your baby, with written and app-based home exercise programmes.
Maintain: in-person follow-up at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months. The 1- and 3-month follow-ups are included in your program fee; the 6- and 12-month reviews are charged separately.
A DTX program is typically 15 to 25 sessions of 60 to 75 minutes each. Your physiotherapist will tell you after your assessment how many you're likely to need.
What the research says
A 2015 Cochrane review of treatments for back and pelvic pain in pregnancy found:
- Exercise may reduce pregnancy-related lower back pain (low-quality evidence), and improves day-to-day function and reduces sick leave (moderate- to low-quality evidence).
- A combination of hands-on therapy, exercise and education reduced pain and disability (low-quality evidence).
- Reported side effects were minor and temporary.
The evidence is limited in quality, but it supports safe, tailored exercise during pregnancy.
Practical tips
- Sleep on your side with a pillow between your knees.
- Sit with your back supported, for example with a cushion or maternity pillow.
- Bend your knees when lifting, and keep loads close.
- Wear flat, comfortable shoes.
- After birth, set up feeding and nappy-changing at a comfortable height.
These are general tips, not a substitute for an assessment.
When to book a spine assessment
Book an assessment if back or pelvic pain during pregnancy or after birth is affecting your sleep, walking or daily life, and you don't have any of the warning signs above. Spine assessments are available at all five Maana Spine clinics in Kochi, Kozhikode, Thiruvananthapuram, Aluva and Perinthalmanna. The consultation fee is ₹250, and no doctor's referral is needed.
Book a Spine Assessment · or call or WhatsApp +91 99950 09403
Frequently asked questions
Is back pain normal in pregnancy?
It's very common: more than two-thirds of pregnant women have lower back pain. But severe pain, or back pain with fever, bleeding, pain passing urine or contractions, needs urgent advice from your doctor or midwife.
Is physiotherapy safe during pregnancy?
Physiotherapy is adapted for your stage of pregnancy. Exercise and pain management are the core of treatment. Depending on your stage, spinal decompression may be used where it's suitable; your physiotherapist will explain which treatments are used for you.
What exercises help back pain in pregnancy?
Research suggests exercise may help. Your physiotherapist will choose safe, gentle exercises suited to your stage of pregnancy.
When can I start physiotherapy after giving birth?
It depends on your recovery and the type of birth. Check with your doctor or midwife, then your physiotherapist will tailor a plan for you.
Can back pain continue after delivery?
For some women it does. Lifting and caring for a newborn while your body recovers can contribute. A tailored exercise programme can help.
Do I need my doctor's permission to come?
You don't need a referral to book. Please let your doctor or midwife know you're having physiotherapy, and share their advice with us.
References
- Liddle SD, Pennick V. Interventions for preventing and treating low-back and pelvic pain during pregnancy. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2015;(9):CD001139. doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD001139.pub4
- NHS. Back pain in pregnancy. nhs.uk
- Mayo Clinic. Back pain during pregnancy. mayoclinic.org