Why Seek Prenatal Chiropractic?
During pregnancy, the body undergoes several changes, including load distribution and increased hormones, both of which cause painful shifts in the body. Load distribution puts additional stress on our joints, which can affect our spine and the tissues in the surrounding area, causing low back pain. Hormones during this time increase the laxity in our tissues, which further shifts our body. Chiropractic care can be beneficial in reducing discomfort as the body continues to adjust. By continuing to promote proper movement in the pelvis and low back, pain can be reduced or even eliminated for patients who see a chiropractor during pregnancy. In a study of 400 pregnant patients, 75% of whom received chiropractic care, stated they felt relief throughout their pregnancy. At our office, we use specific tools to gently provide movement in the joints and to allow the patient to lay comfortably during the appointment.
How Do I Benefit?
Seeking prenatal chiropractic care can also be beneficial in providing space for the fetus to move properly within the womb by the time of labor. Research has shown that there are improved outcomes with labor and delivery in women who had chiropractic care throughout pregnancy. A retrospective study showed that primigravid patients who sought chiropractic care throughout pregnancy had, on average, a 25% shorter labor time, and multiparous women who visited the chiropractor had, on average, a 31% shorter labor time. It is becoming more widely known throughout modern medicine that manual therapy is beneficial for prenatal care. At no time is the chiropractor’s role to move the baby’s position; rather, the appointments allow the baby to move without any restriction.
What Are Common Symptoms that Can Be Alleviated with Prenatal Chiropractic?
Low back pain is a very common symptom during pregnancy that can be alleviated through the use of chiropractic care. This form of medicine is a natural way to help the body move in a functional way throughout the course of pregnancy. Low back pain relief through chiropractic care can be done in many ways; some of the options include chiropractic adjustment, mobility exercises, and soft tissue massage. Many people find relief immediately after treatment and typically have treatment once every 2 to 4 weeks throughout pregnancy.
Why Continue Chiropractic Care After Pregnancy?
It’s beneficial to seek chiropractic care after pregnancy as the body begins to establish how it functioned prior to pregnancy. Many changes occur to the abdomen, low back, and pelvic floor throughout pregnancy and after labor for several weeks, to even months. Because everything in our body is connected, this can be felt as pain, discomfort, or tightness in almost any area in our body. If discomfort or pain are felt anytime throughout pregnancy or after labor, it may be in your best interest to seek chiropractic care as a holistic option for reducing pain.
Have more questions?
If you have any questions when it comes to chiropractic care during pregnancy, you can schedule a free 15 minute phone consultation to ask Dr. Hope Ramales any questions you may have prior to setting up an initial consultation and find out if we are the right fit for you.
Research article: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2647084/