Millions of expectant mothers turn to chiropractic treatment for its natural, safe, and drug-free approach to prevent and relieve pain for a healthier, happier pregnancy. The benefits of chiropractic treatments during pregnancy typically far outweigh the risks, but it is important to understand everything about it before undergoing treatment.
In addition to the obvious benefits of chiropractic treatment such as relieving lower back, neck, or joint pain, chiropractic treatments have been shown to significantly improve the quality of life for pregnant women.
Some of the benefits of chiropractic treatments during pregnancy include controlling nausea, controlling urinary incontinence, aligning the pelvis for an easier delivery, alleviating sciatic nerve pain, reducing labor and delivery time, and prevention of potential cesarean delivery.
Chiropractic treatment during pregnancy has a variety of benefits, but some of the most common conditions that can be improved through regular chiropractic treatments during pregnancy include the following items.
Together, we will create a personalized treatment plan catered to YOUR body, YOUR pain points and YOUR speed. What is right for one won’t be right for another. We specialize in the following methods to create a customized treatment plan.
This is usually caused by stress on the lumbar spine due to a shift in the center of gravity. Muscles tighten and gait patterns change which contribute to the problem. Pain may be mild or severe depending on work duties, daily activities, and overall activity levels.
The sciatic nerve, a large nerve that branches off the lower part of the spine and runs down the back of the legs to the feet, is often compressed and irritated during pregnancy. Studies suggest that the baby’s growth contributes to compression of the nerve which results in lower back pain that radiates to the legs and even feet.
Ligaments become more lax during pregnancy thanks to hormonal changes. This causes the primarily weight-bearing sacroiliac joints to shift and move. Increased mobility puts additional stress on the surrounding muscles and ligaments which can result in pain. Patients often describe this pain as hip pain, when in reality it is sacroiliac pain.
Relaxin is a pregnancy hormone that allows the stabilizing ligaments of the pubic symphysis joint to relax. This allows the joint to move and separate. However, when pain is produced and mobility is limited, it is known as Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction, or SPD.
The round ligaments of the uterus contain fibers that suspend and connect it to the abdominal wall on both sides. As the uterus grows with pregnancy, the round ligaments stretch which may cause sharp pain on either or both sides of the abdomen, or at the attachment sites near the labia or pubic bones.
When it comes to pregnancy and chiropractic treatment, you should be familiar with the Webster technique. This technique is a specific type of chiropractic analysis and adjustment that works to correct pelvic and sacral misalignment. The goal of the technique is to help facilitate an easier, faster labor and delivery, but also creates more room in the pelvis. Ideally a baby should be head down and rear-facing during delivery, but a baby who is breech, or head first, may result in a more complicated birthing process or even cesarean delivery. The Webster technique can help ensure your baby is in the optimal position to start labor.
Many women visit the chiropractor monthly during their first trimester and increase their visits as the pregnancy progresses. Of course, each pregnancy is different and some conditions may require more or fewer treatments. Your chiropractor will advise you on the frequency of treatments throughout your pregnancy.
Chiropractic treatments are a non-invasive, drug-free form of treatment of the spine and misaligned joints. You will be in safe hands with an experienced chiropractor even during late terms of your pregnancy. There are however, certain circumstances when your chiropractor may recommend you stop chiropractic treatments or get your ob/gyn doctor’s approval first such as vaginal bleeding, toxemia, ectopic pregnancy, or placental abruption.
Chiropractic treatments have been shown to decrease labor by as much as 24 percent in first time births and up to 33 percent in subsequent births.
The earlier you prepare your body for pregnancy the better, so there is no limit as to how early you should start receiving chiropractic care. Fortunately, if you have delayed chiropractic treatments, this type of care can benefit women who start treatments as late as 39 weeks along.
Pregnancy and the process of giving birth create profound changes in a woman’s body. Chiropractic care can continue to support a woman’s health even after she has given birth through correct spinal alignment and nutrition recommendations.
Routine prenatal chiropractic care keeps the pelvic in good position to provide optimal nourishment and space. It can also help correct breech presentations, reduce complications, and make natural delivery easier, preventing injury to both mom and baby.
Yes! Gentle adjustments for babies can help them avoid colic, frequent ear infections, torticollis, and more. Keeping your baby’s spine aligned helps their nervous system function optimally to support good overall health and development.
Not only is there no reason to stop seeing a chiropractor during pregnancy, there are benefits to having adjustments not just for you, but for your baby too. Rather than toughing out some of the uncomfortable parts of pregnancy, allow your chiropractor to step in and help so you can have the comfortable, enjoyable pregnancy you deserve. Our gentle, carefully tailored prenatal chiropractic adjustments can help you address any goals you have with your pregnancy, delivery, or postnatal recovery. Contact us today to learn more.
