As a new mother and a chiropractor, I am getting to experience this situation from both sides. In the office, I treat pain related to child care and outside of the office, I get to experience it! So, what causes this pain? What can be done?
Back and neck pain for parents is generally caused by bending forward to cradle, care for or pick up the baby or by leaning back to offset the child's weight while holding them. Car seats are also a struggle, as there is no easy way to get them in and out of most vehicles. They are also heavy and awkward to carry.
There are things that you can do to help with the pain:
1. Get regular chiropractic care. There are some things you just cannot change during parenting, and adjustments can help relieve and prevent pain.
2. Get regular exercise. Take walks, do yoga, swim. It also helps to do some upper back toning (like band rows) and some abdominal work (bridging, pelvic tilts, planks). There are even a lot of baby-and-me exercise plans out there.
3. Use proper body mechanics whenever possible for lifting, picking things up off the floor and feeding. Since you do these things over and over again, it really makes a difference.
Even though you cannot avoid certain activities as a parent, pain is avoidable if you work at it. Don't let the happiest time of your life be one of the most painful. Take care of yourself so that you can take better care of your little one.
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