Have you heard of Rib Pain during pregnancy?

Have you experience or heard of rib pain and shortness of breath during pregnancy? Rib pain is common during pregnancy, especially during the third trimester, although it can begin earlier for some women. But why does rib pain occur?

There are several potential causes of rib pain during pregnancy:

1. Growing Uterus:

   As the baby and the uterus grow, they put pressure on the diaphragm and the ribs. This pressure can cause pain and discomfort in the rib area. This is commonly seen in babies that have long limbs as they like to stretch their arms and legs which extends and hook under the ribs causing discomfort for momma.

2. Posture:

   During pregnancy, a woman's center of gravity shifts forward, which can cause changes in posture. The lower back will shift forward (increase lumbar lordosis) so the upper back had to compensate by hunching over to maintain balance. This can strain the muscles around the ribs and lead to pain. In between the ribs, there are muscles called intercostal muscles that have nerves running along them called intercostal nerves. The added strain on the muscle puts pressure on the nerves which can result in a sharp pain in the ribs especially with deep breathing.

3. Hormones:

   Relaxin hormone is released during pregnancy to relax the ligaments in the pelvis, soften and widen the cervix to prep the body for childbirth. However, relaxin hormone cannot only focus on the muscles and ligaments in the pelvis, it affects all the ligaments, muscles and joints in the body including the rib region. This can lead to pain and discomfort, especially when sitting or standing for extended periods.

4. Pelvis Alignment:

   The pelvis can influence the rib and upper body as well. Similar to the compensation of upper body due changing of center of gravity mentioned above (under posture section). If the hips are misaligned, which is common during pregnancy, this can offset the alignment in the upper body and pull on the ribs. This can strain the structures around the ribs and lead to pain.

5. Diaphragm Compression:

   The expanding uterus can also put pressure on the diaphragm, which may lead to difficulty breathing and pain in the rib area.

Does Prenatal Chiropractic care help with rib pain and shortness of breath?

Yes! Prenatal Chiropractic care can help reduce or eliminate rib pain and shortness of breath.

Prenatal Chiropractors can address rib pain during pregnancy by:

1. Spinal Adjustments

   Prenatal Chiropractors will adjust the spine to address any misalignments in the pelvis, upper back and ribs to relieve the strain on the structures around the ribs.

2. Myofascial Work

   Prenatal Chiropractors may also work on the muscles in the back, neck, and chest area, using techniques such as massage, myofascial release, and stretching to alleviate muscle tension and discomfort. Reducing muscle tension can help ease rib pain.

3. Posture and Lifestyle Tips

   Prenatal Chiropractors may provide guidance on maintaining proper posture and recommend exercises to help strengthen the supporting muscles. And provide lifestyle modifications to reduce stress on the ribs and surrounding structures.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact.

To schedule an appointment, please call or text us at 657-845-1669 or use the online schedular.