The human back is the power-house for the entire body, supporting the trunk and making movement of the head, arms and legs possible. It is the back that forms the pillar on which pregnancy is sustained. Any undue stress or injury to the back which is the spine could be catastrophic and could result to serious pain.
It is important at this time to empower mothers through knowledge and awareness of common back pain from becoming chronic and debilitating.
Indeed, women, generally have more aches and pain than men. Women are more prone to having migraine headaches, rheumatoid arthritis, cramps in the legs, fibromyalgia which is inflammatory muscular disease as well as their own specific pains such as labour pain, period pain, endometrial pain in the lower abdomen and premenstrual body aches.
Emotionally too, they have more ‘pains’ than men, as they have frequent mood swings due to the nature of their hormonal cycles and their sensitive nature. Nature has given them more tolerance and therefore they complain a lot less than men about pain or other symptoms of diseases.
Women are more prone to mineral deficiencies like osteoporosis which is calcium deficiency, anemia which is iron deficiency, low thyroid , often due to iodine deficiency, and chronic fatigue often due to vitamin D or magnesium deficiency. Therefore, they suffer from a range of illnesses, including joint and muscle disorders as well as bruise very easily.
Women generally work longer hours than men. They are the first to get up and last to sleep. From childcare to organizing meals and sorting out the general affairs of the family. The wear and tear in the joints and muscles are obvious. Working women amongst them, additionally have a full day of normal duties to carry out.
Pregnancy in mothers puts a lot of strain on their lower back. The weight of the baby puts tremendous strain on the groin and lower back. Just before the end of term, the body secretes a hormone that causes joint movement at the point the pelvic and lower back joint meet. This secretion makes the joint more flexible so head of the baby can pass through the pelvic girdle without hindrance. This movement often causes additional backache.
Again, while breastfeeding, the mother curves her back which frequently stresses her mid back causing pain later in life and as the baby grows, the mother has to carry it very often, which puts a lot of strain on the arms and the neck and later pain on the back.
The amazing thing about women is that God has given them the capacity to bear pain.
It is important to stress that women should not ignore the pain in the back because it could be debilitating if ignored. They should be rational in the choice of health facility to attend when they are passing through pain especially, disturbing back pain. On the other hand, they should feel free to talk to their doctor for referral to reputable physiotherapist who is knowledgeable in anatomy and biomechanics of the back structures. They should not accept the disabling pain in the back as they would accept gray hair on the head! The back pain agony is redeemable. For more information contact Back Pain Care Foundation or Omega Physiotherapy and Back Pain Care Clinics, Number thirty-four Okolo street, American quarters, Onitsha or call
0-8-0-3-3-2-9-9-2-2-2
Happy 2026 Mothers day
DR. CHARLES EHIRIM
