Back pain is very common during pregnancy, due to the considerable anatomical changes and stress in the body. Carrying a child changes the position of your internal organs putting a huge amount of pressure on the lower spine. The increase in body weight, the muscle relaxing effects of the hormone progesterone, and the change in your center of gravity contribute to the problem. That's why every day as your baby grows it's harder to get up and down of chairs and beds.

Other causes of back pain can be poor postural habits, strains, microtrauma, muscle tension and nutritional deficiencies. When repeated episodes of injury  are added to this mix, the discs become thin, deteriorated or ruptured. These events can also lead to arthritic related conditions. With nerves close by, swelling or compression in the spine often results in Neuritis, lumbar neuralgia, or Sciatica. We have come across some remedies that are worth trying to relieve minor backaches. At best, they'll help-at least, they'll give you something to talk about the next time someone tells you his/her back went out.

Natural Home Remedies
An Asian remedy for the prevention or relief of lower back problems is black beans (also called frijoles negros-although not in Asia !), which are available at supermarkets and health food stores.

Soak a cupful of black beans overnight. This softens the beans and is said to remove the gas-producing compounds. Then put them in a pot with 3 1/2cups of water. Bring to a boil, and let simmer for a half-hour over low heat. During that half-hour, keep removing the grayish foam that forms on top. After a half-hour, cover the pot and let it cook for another two hours. If, by the end of that time, there's still water in the pot, spill it out.

-- Eat 2 to 3 tablespoons of the black beans each day for one month, then every other day for one month.
-- Guggulu is very helpful. Eat half a teaspoon twice a day after meals with warm water.
-- Lemon is another useful remedy for backache. The juice of one lemon should be mixed with common salt and taken by the patient twice daily. It will give relief.
-- Fresh beans should be prepared at least every three or four days.
-- Raw potato is an ancient home remedy for backache, characterized by incapacitating pain in the lumbar region, especially in the lower part of the back. Application of raw potato in the foam of a poultice has been found very effective in this condition.

Hot and Cold Packs
First, be sure to put ice on the injured area, then alternate with heat. The ice helps reduce inflammation be constricting the surrounding blood vessels, reducing blood flow and swelling. Never apply ice for more than five minute increments, however, as the cold can freeze the skin and soft tissue. After two days, heat should be used to increase the blood flow to that area.