Current management of pregnancy-related back pain: a national survey of UK physiotherapists

Background: Pregnancy-related low back pain (LBP) is very common with more than two-thirds of pregnant women experiencing it. The pain usually starts around the 18th week of gestation and increases with advancing pregnancy. It impacts on activities of daily living and is a common reason for work absence. Although pain often settles postpartum some women develop long lasting pain and disability. Research supports the use of exercise and acupuncture, but there are no data available on current practice of UK physiotherapists.