Chiropractic care during pregnancy offers safe, drug-free relief for a variety of painful conditions, including lower back, hip, and joint pain. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, around half of all pregnant women experience lower back pain. Many women rely on chiropractic care for drug-free pain relief to protect the developing fetus.
Chiropractic care is safe for most pregnant women. However, we do want to stress right at the beginning that you should talk to your obstetrician before visiting a chiropractor. This is particularly true if you have any of the following conditions:
For most women, though, chiropractic care during pregnancy is not only safe, it’s preferable to alternatives like pain medications. Many of these pills are dangerous even when you aren’t pregnant.
To treat pregnant women, chiropractors use tables and techniques that protect the woman’s abdomen. Your chiropractor should also demonstrate stretches and exercises you can do at home to relieve tension and discomfort.
When making your appointment, ask if the chiropractor has experience providing prenatal care.
Women’s bodies go through incredible changes during pregnancy. After all, they’re growing a life. In addition to a growing abdomen, pregnant women experience pelvic changes, a shifting center of gravity, and a flood of hormones. Many women adjust their posture to accommodate these changes.
With all this, it’s no wonder so many pregnant women report feeling pain in the lower back and hips.
Chiropractic care helps bring the body back into balance and alignment. It treats the source of the woman’s discomfort instead of masking it the way pain pills do. This is a large part of why chiropractic care is so effective.
Additional benefits of chiropractic care during pregnancy include:
That last point brings us to how chiropractic care benefits the developing fetus. When the pelvis becomes misaligned, it may cause a condition called intrauterine constraint. This limits the amount of room the baby has to grow. The condition may cause abnormal development as well as difficulties during birth, such a breech position.
The Webster Technique is named for Larry Webster, D.C., who founded the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association. Dr. Webster’s technique is an adjustment that balances the pelvis in a way that maximizes support of the uterus and ligaments. It has been proven to create the ideal fetal positioning to guard against a breech or posterior presentation. The result is a safer delivery for both mother and baby.
Chiropractic care promotes full-body health and wellness by supporting the spinal column, nerves, joints, and discs. Multiple studies indicate its effectiveness in treating pregnancy-related pain. However, you should still talk to your doctor before seeking chiropractic treatment during pregnancy. He or she is best equipped to understand your unique situation and care needs.
Southwest Spine & Rehab is dedicated to providing safe, effective pain relief. Call 480-354-2008 today to get started.
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