Back and hip pain affects the majority of pregnant women, particularly in the second and third trimesters. As the body adapts to the growing baby, the ligaments relax under the influence of relaxin, the centre of gravity shifts, and the sacroiliac joints and lumbar spine come under increasing load.
This is one of the areas where the evidence is reasonably supportive. Several randomised trials, including a Swedish trial comparing acupuncture with stabilising exercises for pelvic girdle pain, reported greater pain reduction with acupuncture and no adverse effects on the pregnancy. Systematic reviews still rate the overall quality of that evidence as low to moderate, so we would call it a good option to try rather than a certainty.
At Rozelle Acupuncture, we treat all forms of pregnancy-related musculoskeletal pain, including lower back pain, hip pain, pelvic girdle pain, sacroiliac joint dysfunction, sciatica, and round ligament pain.
Treatment combines pregnancy-safe acupuncture with gentle Tuina massage and practical posture and lifestyle advice. We use positions that are comfortable and safe at each stage of pregnancy.