Low back pain in pregnancy, pathophysiological aspects and treatment

Abstract

Introduction: Low back pain is a condition of high prevalence in the general population. Gestation generates physiological changes that favor the appearance of painful symptoms that can compromise the quality of life. Method: Review of the literature with MeSH terms in English and Spanish in the databases Embase, PubMed, Lilacs, Sage, Google Academics and Scielo from the year 1994 to the year 2021. Seventy-four articles were found and 50 were selected based on their clinical impact. Results: Low back pain affects more than 50% of pregnant women. There are gyneco-obstetric antecedents that can be intervened to reduce the risk or intensity of symptoms.The diagnosis of this entity is clinical, but it can be associated with diagnostic imaging when risk conditions are suspected.Treatment is based on non-pharmacological interventions such as exercise and physical therapy, but some medications and pain interventions can be used according to their risk of maternal and fetal benefit. Conclusions: Low back pain in pregnancy is very frequent, it should be known, diagnosed, and treated by health professionals who care for this population, based on a multidisciplinary treatment team.