Pregnancy and back pain go hand in hand.

After all, the mother to be is suddenly carrying about thirty pounds of extra weight in front of her and this can contribute to a change in posture as well as an increase in stress on the lower back.

There probably isn't a pregnant woman on this earth who has not experienced lower back pain during at least one of her pregnancies. And the odds are even worse for those who already have some latent back irritation brought on by her daily activities or pre-existing medical conditions.

With the shift of the center of gravity, posture changes even more. The increasing weight of the baby can affect the way a woman carries herself. And the body’s attempts at counterbalancing this weight can aggravate the spine and surrounding structures even more.

Your chiropractor has some words of advice for you if you're pregnant and you're suffering from back pain or shoulder pain.

Wear Flat Shoes As Much As Possible

This is the time to wear flat shoes that support your feet and ankles.

Try to avoid any looks that need heels to make them look good. There is nothing beneficial about being pregnant and wearing footwear that will hurt your body rather than support it.

Bend Your Knees

Now more than ever, lifting needs to be done carefully, by bending your knees and not your lower back.

While it is best to avoid lifting altogether, this can be very difficult if you already have a toddler at home.

Do chair exercises to prevent your leg muscles from cramping.

Sleep On Your Side

Your doctor may have already told you to do this. Also place a pillow between your knees. You will be surprised how much this little act will do to alleviate your lower back pain.

Buy A Backpack

If you carry around a lot of heavy bags, consider purchasing a backpack with wide, padded straps to carry the load on your back.

Talk To An Expert

If your back hurts to such an extreme that it interferes with your quality of life, contact your doctor and ask about undergoing chiropractic treatment.

Generally speaking, chiropractic adjustments are a safe procedure during pregnancy, but just like anything else, you will want to run it by your doctor first.

When you do get your doctor’s okay, make sure that you contact your chiropractor to find out if she or he has experience treating pregnant patients. Choose a care provider who has experience in this area!

Obviously, there will be some back pain that simply cannot be adjusted away, but the good news is that after giving birth the majority of back pain sufferers indicate that their back pain went away almost overnight.

Others will benefit greatly from chiropractic care at that point, and many chiropractors actually suggest that you should come and visit them within a month or so after giving birth to get your spine adjusted.

Waiting longer might make it a bit harder since all the ligaments quickly begin stiffening again postpartum.