Along with the joy and excitement of pregnancy come many physical changes. For many women, pregnancy can be an uncomfortable experience, with physical and hormonal changes leading to aches and pains. Regular chiropractic care during pregnancy can greatly alleviate many common discomforts.
Here’s what you need to know about chiropractic care during pregnancy and how these noninvasive treatments can make pregnancy a less stressful and more enjoyable experience.
Why Consider Chiropractic Care?
One of the top reasons women search for chiropractic care during pregnancy is to avoid using pain medications. Whether you have lower back pain, sciatica, plantar fasciitis, or some other type of pain, chiropractic adjustments are a safe, drug-free way to manage pain.
As the baby grows and your center of gravity shifts, your spine shifts too. This starts a ripple effect, stressing your musculoskeletal and nervous systems and causing changes you may not even realize link back to pregnancy. If daily discomfort affects your mobility and ability to enjoy your pregnancy, chiropractic care can help.
Chiropractic care promotes whole-body health by reducing spinal nerve stress and adjusting misaligned joints, an excellent option for reducing pain during pregnancy. Chiropractors use techniques that don’t put added pressure or stress on the abdomen and can recommend effective stretches for relieving tension and discomfort.
Chiropractic Care Offers Multiple Benefits
Spinal Alignment
Not only is the mother’s body supporting her own increased weight, but also a six or seven-pound fetus, which causes increased stress on the spine leading to pain, poor posture, and balance issues. Gentle, safe, and effective adjustments help combat spinal misalignment or dysfunction during pregnancy.
Proper Pelvic Alignment
For several reasons, chiropractic techniques for pregnant women focus on ensuring proper pelvic alignment. If your pelvis is misaligned, it can limit the amount of space for the growing baby. It also helps keep your posture in check leading to fewer body aches.
Easier Labor and Delivery
A properly aligned spine and pelvis will lead to a smoother delivery. Many chiropractic patients report a reduced need for pain medication during labor and delivery.
Multiple Benefits
Because musculoskeletal adjustments affect the nervous system, you may also experience additional benefits, including:
- Fewer headaches
- Reduced nausea
- Less edema (swelling)
- Reduced sciatic pain
- More restful sleep
Is Chiropractic Care Safe During Pregnancy?
Chiropractic care is usually a safe, effective therapy during pregnancy. Routine chiropractic care helps manage pain in the back, hips, and joints. It can also improve pelvic balance providing the developing baby as much space as possible throughout the pregnancy.
It’s always important to get your OB-GYN’s approval before seeking treatment. They can help determine whether chiropractic care is safe and appropriate for you and your baby-to-be. Chiropractic care may be ill-advised for certain patients, including those with vaginal bleeding, placental abruption, or toxemia.
Select a qualified, experienced chiropractor with the additional training to work with pregnant women. Pregnancy makes it challenging to lie down on a typical chiropractic table. Your doctor should offer a special table or adaptive device, such as special cushioning, that cradles the bump during adjustments.
Additional Tips
Chiropractic adjustments are a great way to keep your body balanced and aligned during pregnancy, but there are other things you can do to relieve pain and pressure during your pregnancy.
Regular exercise keeps the blood flowing and your muscles working throughout pregnancy. Talk to your physician for recommendations on the best physical activities for you.
Avoid wearing heels while pregnant. High heels make you less steady and can accelerate the postural imbalances that often occur during pregnancy. Choose comfortable, low-heeled shoes whenever possible.
Be sure to observe proper lifting techniques. Always bend from your knees and if an object seems too heavy, have someone else lift it for you.
To ease the pressure on your lower back, sleep on your side with a pillow between your knees. Invest in a pregnancy pillow to relieve pressure and help you get a good night’s sleep.
If you have to sit at a desk or computer for long periods, use a footrest to take the pressure off your feet and legs. Schedule breaks every 30 minutes, and get up and move around to keep the blood flowing.
Call The Bluffs Chiropractic & Family Wellness Team
Regular chiropractic care is helpful at any stage of life, from newborn babies to senior citizens. The Bluffs Chiropractic & Family Wellness team can help if you are pregnant or have recently given birth. After a thorough assessment, we’ll develop an individualized treatment plan to meet your needs. Chiropractic care can help improve joint movement and relax tight and spasmed muscles, reducing pain.
If you’re ready to take the next step in achieving relief and overall wellness, contact The Bluffs Chiropractic & Family Wellness team today. Dr. Joshua Lippincott has been serving patients for over 12 years and is passionate about helping people achieve their best possible health. Contact us online or call (636) 326-2525 to schedule your initial consultation.