Pregnancy is a joyous occasion, but it comes with many physical and mental challenges, especially for the mom. When the baby weight changes your spine, this initiates ripple effects, which, in turn, stresses the musculoskeletal and nervous systems. If the situation becomes unnerving and physical activity painful, chiropractic care during pregnancy can improve the symptoms. It can reduce motherhood stress and promote happiness.
What Is Chiropractic Care for a Healthier Pregnancy?
Chiropractic treatment is an alternative medicine discipline that believes the body can heal itself without using drugs or surgery. It uses spinal manipulation and other manual therapies to treat various health problems.
For pregnant women, chiropractic techniques are a noninvasive form of physiotherapy that helps them get better outcomes from the beginning of their journey until the end. It is a holistic form of care that helps the body restore function and health through adjusting misaligned joints and the spine.
The person practicing this profession is a chiropractor. They can help to identify and address the root cause of your problem. The results will depend on the patient’s condition and how well they respond to treatment. Most people who undergo chiropractic care report a significant improvement in their conditions after three months.
Pregnancy Chiropractic Techniques
Chiropractic care during pregnancy often involves different adjustments and mobilization techniques to help improve spinal movement and relieve pain. In particular, chiropractic procedures allow the adjustment of the pregnant woman’s bones and musculature.
A prenatal chiropractor may also adjust their techniques for pregnant patients concerned with their pelvic region and ligaments accordingly. This includes minimizing excessive pressure on a person’s abdomen. Some of them may even use pregnant-related equipment.
One of the popular chiropractic techniques used in pregnant women is the Webster technique, which can correct sacral and pelvic misalignment. This technique helps with labor, creates fewer gaps in the hips, and increases their elasticity.
If babies are born head down at delivery, the procedure would require the charge to be turned or faced back. For breach or feet babies it will require an extra intervention, which will involve C-sections. These will increase the risk of birth complications.
The Webster technique will give parents optimum support during the start of labor. It will help the baby get into a good position for birth.
While the Webster technique is designed for use in the third trimester, manipulation of the sacrum may soothe the ligament and back pain that can also ail you during the earlier stages of pregnancy. So if your loose limbs and growing belly are throwing you out of alignment, getting an adjustment might help ease the discomforts weighing you down.
Note that not all chiropractors can perform this procedure. It needs additional certification from reputable organizations like the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA).
The Many Benefits of Chiropractic Care During Pregnancy
When the tummy weight increases, so will the spine arcing. Chiropractic treatment may aid in readjusting your spine or joints when pregnant or nursing.
Similarly, the placenta’s production starts boosting and releasing relaxing hormones. Relaxing reduces stiffness in joints and softens the pelvis.
Overall, combining adjustments and modality treatments can help to relieve the pain of muscle strain that comes with carrying and then delivering the baby.
Here are the other benefits of chiropractic care during pregnancy:
1. Shorten Labor Duration and Delivery Pain of Pregnant Women
How painful is pregnancy labor? No one cannot measure it. Under stress, the body releases endorphins to regulate pain signals when it is under pressure. However, sometimes these natural chemicals are not enough to counter the pain.
Your chiropractor will give you safe touch therapies for support during pregnancy and labor pains. Some of them include TENS machine techniques or spinal decompression exercises. These therapies will help reduce labor pains and shorten the duration of contractions.
2. Avoid Complications During and After Delivery
Giving birth is a miraculous experience, but it can also be dangerous if not done correctly. One common reason pregnant patients may see a chiropractor is an intrauterine constraint, a condition whereby the baby’s movement is restricted due to issues with pelvic balance.
During pregnancy, a prenatal chiropractor can help avoid some of the common complications associated with the intrauterine constraint, such as dystocia (difficult labor), breech presentation, fetal defects, and cesarean delivery.
If you’re pregnant, it’s essential to see a chiropractor to ensure that your body is as prepared as possible for labor and delivery. A healthy spine and nervous system will help reduce the risk of complications and make the birthing process more accessible and less painful.
3. Reduce Pelvic Pain During Pregnancy
Pelvic pain is expected during pregnancy due to pressure on the pelvic joints caused by increased weight in the tummy area. Chiropractic treatment can help to reduce pelvic pain and improve joint mobility. The treatment will make it easier for you to walk and move around during pregnancy.
Also, chiropractic care can help to prepare the body for labor and delivery. If you’re experiencing pelvic pain, be sure to see a chiropractor for treatment.
4. Promote Comfortable Pregnancy by Regulating Hormones and Providing More Restful Sleep
Hormonal changes during pregnancy can wreak havoc on a woman’s body and mind. Many pregnant patients experience mood swings, anxiety, and even postpartum depression. The good news is that chiropractic care can help to regulate hormones and improve emotional well-being.
Chiropractors can also help women get better sleep. Getting an extra hour of sleep, even if it’s divided into two sessions, can help to keep you healthy and stress-free, as well as correct issues like insomnia and restless nights.
Massage therapy, which chiropractors can also do, is becoming increasingly popular in healthcare to deal with diverse medical problems and conditions. It can help manage anxiety and depression, which contributes to poor sleep.
5. Ease Other Pregnancy Symptoms
Chiropractic care can also help to ease other common pregnancy symptoms, such as:
- Constipation: Chiropractic care can help to improve bowel function and reduce constipation.
- Nausea and Vomiting: Chiropractic care can help relieve tension in the upper back and neck, which can often lead to nausea and vomiting. These symptoms are more common during the first trimester.
- Heartburn: Chiropractic care can help correct spinal misalignments causing heartburn.
6. Reduce Body Aches Like Hip Pain Naturally
Almost 70 percent of pregnant women experience low back pain because an increasing belly has caused posture changes, increasing pressure on their back joints or tendons.
Chiropractic treatment can encourage the optimal position of the fetus and reduce muscle tension in the lower back. It is also beneficial when the movement or part of the baby leads to sciatic pain.
Many pregnant women need less pain medication during and after pregnancy if they receive regular chiropractic care. Chiropractic adjustments help relieve muscle tension and joint pain. It can even decrease the need for epidurals, forceps, and vacuum extraction, promoting safer deliveries.
7. Improve Posture and Balance
During pregnancy, many women experience musculoskeletal changes that may affect their gait. Spinal adjustments by a chiropractor are significant for improving posture and balance. This is especially important in the later stages of pregnancy when you’re more likely to experience problems with balance and coordination.
Further, the center of gravity shifts as the baby grows. It will affect posture and balance, making the mother more vulnerable to accidents and injuries. Pregnant patients can avoid this with proper posture, which chiropractic support promotes.
8. Decrease the Risk of Edema
Chiropractic practice can improve circulation by correcting spine misalignment or any dysfunction of the vertebrae. This will help to keep blood flowing freely through all parts of your body, including your uterus, which is essential for a healthy pregnancy.
Chiropractic care can also help to bring down edema by stimulating the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system helps clear away metabolic wastes that may cause toxicity in pregnant women.
9. Promote Fetal Development
Chiropractic care can also promote fetal development by supporting a healthy spine and nervous system. Chiropractors can help keep the pregnant woman’s nervous system in good condition by recommending appropriate exercises and nutrition.
The International Chiropractic Pediatric Association recommends receiving chiropractic care throughout pregnancy for optimal health. The adjustments can promote pelvic balance that helps ensure the baby has enough space to move around and grow, reducing the increased risk of a breech position or a Cesarean delivery. In a way, chiropractic treatment helps both the mother and the child.
When Should I Start Chiropractic Care During Pregnancy?
More women start chiropractic immediately following the confirmation of their pregnancy or during the first trimester. You can do that too, but you still need the guidance and approval of your obstetrician for this. This service may not be ideal for women dealing with ectopic pregnancy, preeclampsia, placenta previa, at risk of premature labor, or vaginal bleeding.
As your pregnancy progresses, you will likely need to see your chiropractor regularly. Most pregnant women visit their chiropractors every two to four weeks. However, this may vary depending on your needs and your chiropractor’s recommendations.
If you’re in Logan, Utah, Logan Chiropractors specializes in treatment and care for pregnant women. We exclusively focus on innovative and current medical therapies suitable for mothers-to-be’s unique needs and problems. These include providing you with a chiropractor trained to handle pregnant patients and someone who holds a Webster certification.
The services we have available at every office are fully customizable. Each person on staff has respect and empathy, and we will do whatever it takes to provide a comfortable experience for you and your baby. We can also work with your other healthcare providers, such as your OB and pediatrician.
If you’re pregnant, it’s a good idea to see a chiropractor. Chiropractic care can help improve your health and your baby’s health in many ways so that you can have an enjoyable experience throughout the journey. If you have any questions, please contact us at 435-563-6363 or schedule an appointment here.