Low back pain (LBP) is a common problem during pregnancy and even more so afterwards. The pain can vary from a mild discomfort to severe and disabling. Serious causes of back pain are rare and easy for your doctor or chiropractor to diagnose. Most back pain is mechanical in nature and greatly subsides in just a few weeks There are several preventive measures one can take to help reduce the likelihood of developing low back pain or as self-care for back pain. Staying active: By staying active often times you can reduce minor episodes of low back pain from becoming more serious. The old notion of staying in bed until the pain is gone is no longer the best advice. The sooner you get moving again, the quicker you’ll progress through the pain episode and move on with your life. Lifting: If you have to pick up something try to bend at the knees, keeping your low back curved forward, not slumped. This is called the “hip hinge” and forces you to use your buttock and thigh muscles to take pressure off your back. Sleeping: Try supporting under your knees with a pillow when sleeping on your back or between the knees when lying on your side. Specific stabilizing exercises: Often a rehabilitation specialist(physical therapist) can prescribe specific exercises for back pain to help strengthen and stabilize muscles. As no two patients are alike, your rehabilitation specialist can help find what exercises are appropriate for you. Massage, manipulation and other modalities may help relieve the pain, but they are best used to getting you re-activated and moving on with your life. Sometimes ice or heat packs may give some relief. Medication such as acetaminophen, or combination of muscle relaxants and NSAIDS can also be used if the pain does not subside with the above mentioned techniques.