Lower back pain is one of the most common discomforts experienced during pregnancy, affecting up to 70 percent of women. As your body adapts to hormonal shifts, weight changes, and postural adjustments, the muscles and joints in your lower back can become strained, tight, and overworked.

Pelvic floor physiotherapy provides an effective, safe, and evidence-informed way to reduce pain, improve movement, and support your body throughout pregnancy. Understanding why back pain happens and how to treat it early can make your pregnancy far more comfortable and empowering.

⭐Key Takeaways

Lower back pain is extremely common in pregnancy due to hormonal, biomechanical, and postural changes
Pelvic floor physiotherapy offers safe, targeted treatment to relieve pain and improve stability
Early intervention prevents worsening symptoms and supports a healthier pregnancy
Manual therapy, pelvic floor treatment, and posture coaching are all effective for managing pregnancy-related back pain
Personalized guidance ensures exercises and activities are safe and appropriate for each trimester

🎥 Watch: Lower Back Pain in Pregnancy — Why It Happens & How Physio Treats It

This video explains why lower back pain affects up to 70 percent of pregnant women through hormonal changes, Relaxin-related ligament laxity, centre of gravity shifts, and postural compensation and how pelvic floor physiotherapy uses core stabilization, manual therapy, myofascial release, and pregnancy-safe exercise to safely relieve lumbar pain in every trimester. Whether you are dealing with sciatica, lumbar stiffness, or general back pain during pregnancy, pelvic floor physiotherapy in Burnaby can help.

In this video, you'll learn:

- What causes lower back pain during pregnancy including Relaxing, postural changes, and pelvic floor dysfunction

- Why pregnancy back pain affects sleep, walking, pelvic floor function, and postpartum recovery if left untreated

- How pelvic floor physiotherapy treats prenatal lower back pain with core stabilization, manual therapy, and posture retraining

- Why pelvic floor physiotherapy is safe in all trimesters and helps prepare your body for labour and postpartum recovery

What Causes Lower Back Pain During Pregnancy?

Pregnant woman receiving pelvic floor physiotherapy to relieve lower back pain at Ova Women’s Health in Burnaby BC.

Weight Distribution & Centre of Gravity Changes

As your baby grows, your body naturally shifts forward. This increases pressure on the lumbar spine, which can strain your back muscles and joints.

Hormonal Changes (Relaxin & Progesterone)

Pregnancy hormones soften ligaments and connective tissues to prepare your pelvis for childbirth. This can reduce stability around the spine and pelvis, increasing lower back pain.

Postural Compensation

Many women adopt a slight swayback posture or rib flare to balance the growing uterus. These adaptations can overwork the lower back muscles, leading to stiffness and pain.

Stress & Muscle Tension

Stress during pregnancy can contribute to increased pelvic floor and lumbar muscle tension, which often presents as lower back pain.

Why Addressing Lower Back Pain Is Important

Lower back pain that goes untreated can affect:

Walking and daily activities
Sleep and rest
Pelvic floor function
Emotional well-being and stress
Labour and postpartum recovery

Early treatment supports long-term pelvic health, reduces pain, and improves mobility.

How Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy Helps Relieve Lower Back Pain

Pelvic floor physiotherapist assessing posture and core support in a pregnant patient at Ova Women’s Health physiotherapy clinic.

Pelvic floor physiotherapy is one of the most effective treatments for pregnancy-related lower back pain. At Ova, we take a global, whole-body approach.

1. Postural Assessment & Guidance

We assess your posture, breathing mechanics, and pelvic alignment to understand the root cause of your pain. You’ll learn how to stand, move, sleep, and lift in ways that reduce lumbar strain.

2. Tailored Pregnancy-Safe Exercises

Your physiotherapist designs a customized program to improve function in the deep core and pelvic floor muscles, providing proper support for your spine.

3. Hands-On Manual Therapy

Gentle techniques such as soft tissue release, myofascial mobilization, and pelvic alignment work help decrease tension and restore mobility.

4. Pelvic Floor Treatment (When Needed)

Tight or underactive pelvic floor muscles can contribute to back pain. Treatment may include pelvic floor release, coordination work, or activation exercises.

5. Movement Strategies & Daily-Life Modifications

We teach efficient movement patterns for pregnancy, including:

Safe rolling
Getting out of bed
Sitting and standing
Bending and lifting techniques

6. Personalized Treatment Plans

Each pregnancy is different. Your plan adapts as your body changes through each trimester.

When to Seek Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy

Book a pelvic floor physiotherapy session if you experience:

Lower back pain that persists longer than a few days
Pain when walking, climbing stairs, or rolling in bed
Pelvic pressure or heaviness
Sciatica or radiating pain
Difficulty sleeping due to discomfort

Immediate care is recommended if pain affects mobility or daily activities.

❓FAQs About Pregnancy-Related Lower Back Pain

It is common but not “normal” to the point that you should tolerate it. Persistent pain is a sign your body needs support.
Yes. Treatment is always adapted to your trimester, symptoms, and comfort level.
Yes. Many pregnant women develop sciatic nerve irritation due to posture or pelvic shifts. Physiotherapy can relieve nerve tension and improve mobility.
Absolutely. Improving pelvic alignment, posture, breathing, and relaxation all support a smoother labour and postpartum recovery.
Yes, with proper guidance. Your physiotherapist will modify exercises to keep you safe and comfortable.

Why Choose Ova in Burnaby, BC?

At Ova, pregnancy care is not a general service; it is our specialty. We are trusted across Burnaby and the Lower Mainland for providing expert, compassionate pelvic floor physiotherapy tailored to each stage of pregnancy.

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What makes Ova different?

✅ Extensive experience in treating pregnancy-related pain
We have helped thousands of pregnant women manage lower back pain, pelvic girdle pain, sciatica, pubic symphysis dysfunction, and more.

✅Global training in prenatal and pelvic health physiotherapy
Our assessments look at posture, pelvic alignment, breathing mechanics, muscle function, and core activation.

✅ Safe, gentle, evidence-informed treatment
We use manual therapy, pelvic floor treatment, core stabilization, breathing work, and movement retraining tailored to your trimester.

✅Whole-body approach that looks beyond symptoms
Back pain is rarely isolated. We address pelvic floor function, rib mobility, hip mechanics, stress patterns, and daily habits.

✅ Emergency appointments available
Symptoms such as severe pain or clogged milk ducts cannot wait. We offer urgent appointments outside of regular hours.

✅ Trusted by women across Vancouver, Burnaby, and BC
You’ll receive care that is attentive, respectful, and personalized. We support your comfort, confidence, and well-being throughout pregnancy and beyond.

Ready to Begin?

Don’t wait. The sooner we start, the sooner you can feel stronger and more supported. Space is limited due to high demand, but if you’re ready to take the first step toward lasting pelvic health, we’re here to help.

Book An Appointment