Chiropractic care is a safe, noninvasive form of whole-body treatment for pregnant women. This includes pain relief, improved posture and preparation for labor and delivery.
Chiropractors who are experienced in treating pregnant women can help ensure a balanced pelvis throughout the pregnancy, which improves the baby’s chance of an optimal birth position and reduces complications during delivery.
Improved Posture
During pregnancy, many women struggle with back pain, especially in the lower back and hips. This discomfort is usually due to the body adjusting to an increase in weight and a change in posture, both of which can cause the lower back muscles to tighten. Fortunately, chiropractic care can help alleviate this discomfort by strengthening the muscles and correcting the imbalance.
Chiropractors are specially trained to work with pregnant patients and understand the unique physical changes that can occur during each trimester. In addition, they know how to adjust the spinal adjustments to accommodate for a woman’s increased center of gravity and shifting weight distribution. This can significantly reduce discomfort.
In addition, chiropractors can also help with nausea and constipation, both of which are common side effects for some expecting mothers. This is accomplished by performing a specific spinal adjustment known as the Webster technique. This particular chiropractic sacral analysis and diversified adjustment helps to create the optimal pelvic balance necessary for a healthy pregnancy and a normal vaginal delivery. It can also aid in breech presentations and help to facilitate a faster, safer birth.
Some women experience achy and sore joints post-pregnancy, which may be the result of a misaligned spine or the pressure on the joints from the excess weight. In these cases, chiropractic care can help the expectant mother regain flexibility and improve her overall comfort, which can also reduce the need for medication or invasive procedures to treat these symptoms.
While some obstetricians may be skeptical of chiropractic care during pregnancy, many do acknowledge that it can improve labor and delivery outcomes. However, finding a qualified practitioner can be difficult, as not all chiropractors are comfortable treating pregnant women.
While it is important to seek treatment early on in the pregnancy, some practitioners will only schedule appointments closer to the date of delivery. This is because they are aware that the body needs time to adjust to its new, heavier state. It is also a good idea to seek chiropractic treatment after the delivery as well, as this can help ease the transition from the lower back and hip pain of pregnancy to the upper back and neck pain associated with breastfeeding.
Reduced Muscle Tension
Chiropractic care for pregnant women can help to reduce muscle tension and increase range of motion. As the body goes through pregnancy, the mother’s posture changes and her center of gravity shifts, which puts pressure on her back muscles and joints. Regular chiropractic adjustments and stretches can alleviate this pain. It also helps to ensure the spinal column is properly aligned, which can prevent the common pregnancy symptom of round ligament pain (pain that radiates from the front of the uterus to the buttocks or down one or both legs).
Another problem that may be caused by misalignment is intrauterine constraint, which can restrict the space available for the baby. A chiropractor trained in prenatal care can use the Webster technique to balance the pelvis and reduce this constraint, which can help ensure that the baby is in an optimal birthing position. This may result in a shorter labor time and a lower risk of complications during delivery, including the need for a c-section.
Many women find that they get better sleep when under chiropractic care during pregnancy. This is because they can learn how to sleep with a straight spine, which prevents the arching that can lead to long-term back problems. In addition, it can help with a variety of other symptoms that can affect sleeping, such as acid reflux and fatigue.
Aside from helping with aches and pains, prenatal chiropractic can boost the immune system and help keep the mother’s skeletal system healthy, which can be important for the health of the fetus as well. It can even help to shorten the duration of labor and reduce the need for pain medication.
Women can start to see a chiropractor while they are trying to conceive, and should continue to go until the baby is born. In general, chiropractors will suggest more frequent treatments early in the pregnancy to ensure the pelvis is balanced and ready for delivery. They will also make sure the adjusting tables are wide enough to accommodate an enlarged belly and will utilize techniques that avoid putting pressure on the abdomen.
Remedy for Common Problems
Pregnancy can be a very special time in a woman’s life, but it can also be extremely stressful and uncomfortable. Routine chiropractic care can alleviate many common pregnancy-related musculoskeletal problems and is a safe, drug-free treatment option.
One of the most common problems that pregnant women experience is back pain. This can result from both the added stress on the joints and ligaments of the spine and pelvis as well as the fact that the baby shifts the center of gravity, which can cause strain on the muscles. Chiropractic treatments can help ease this pain by aligning the spine and reducing pressure on nerves, muscles, and ligaments.
Another common issue that chiropractors, especially popular ones, like the Lincoln chiropractors, treat for pregnant women is nausea. This can be caused by the changes in hormones during pregnancy or from digestive issues. Chiropractors can address these symptoms by focusing on spinal realignment, improving nervous system function for hormonal balance, and helping the body digest better.
Regular chiropractic care can also help shorten labor and delivery time and reduce the risk of a cesarean section. This is because proper pelvic alignment and baby positioning can make the birth process much easier for the mother-to-be.
As pregnancy progresses, the body produces a hormone called relaxin, which can loosen joints and ligaments in preparation for delivery. This can lead to back pain, especially in the lower back. Chiropractors can help ease this pain by adjusting the spine and releasing tension in the muscles, which can improve stability and comfort all the way through the birthing process.
Finally, chiropractic treatment can help with the aches and pains that occur during the postpartum period. This can include achy backs, hips, and necks from breastfeeding and carrying the baby around. Regular chiropractic treatments can ease these aches and improve posture, which will help prevent future pains from occurring.
Overall, chiropractors are trained to work with expecting mothers and adjust their techniques accordingly. They will often offer a combination of chiropractic adjustments, massage, and exercises that can be done at home to address these common pregnancy-related issues. As long as a woman has a doctor’s approval, regular chiropractic care can be beneficial for a healthy and comfortable pregnancy.
Few Risks
Many women experience aches and pains during pregnancy due to physiological and endocrinological changes. These changes result in spinal and pelvic misalignment. Hormones loosen the ligaments of the expectant mother’s body, while a changing center of gravity and weight gain cause stress on the spine, joints and muscles. Regular chiropractic care can help a woman adjust to these physical changes and reduce discomfort. Most chiropractors have specific training in prenatal chiropractic and can work with a pregnant woman safely. Generally, treatments are more frequent early in the pregnancy to loosen the hips and lower back for delivery, and then less often as the woman approaches the due date. Many women also benefit from routine chiropractic after the baby is born. This helps restore proper alignment and improves immunity, which is important as new moms tend to get sick more frequently due to lowered immune system from the hormonal changes of breastfeeding and childbirth.
A common question that comes up is whether it is safe to receive chiropractic treatment during pregnancy. Purists of conventional medicine argue that it is unsafe because forceful manipulations on the spine may disrupt uterine contractions and lead to early labor or even miscarriage. However, chiropractors who specialize in treating expecting mothers use a gentler touch and take into account that the mother’s body is in a state of change and is at a high risk for complications.
Some chiropractors even offer specialized techniques such as the Webster technique, which is designed to align the pelvis and alleviate a condition known as intrauterine constraint that can make it difficult for a baby to move into the optimal position for labor and delivery. This is an especially important benefit for women who plan on having a natural birth, as the baby’s position can have a significant impact on the duration and ease of delivery.
While research is inconclusive, some studies show that chiropractic care can reduce the need for medication and improve overall health during a pregnancy. While the benefits are numerous, it is always a good idea to talk to your OB-GYN before beginning any therapeutic regimen, and make sure you find a qualified practitioner who is familiar with working with pregnant women.
