Pregnancy Pain and Chiropractic Care
Studies have shown that between 67-85% of pregnant women experience pregnancy pain, such as back pain, but less than half of those seek care. Why is that? First, many pregnant women are not even aware that chiropractic can help during and after pregnancy. Most women are taught that pain is just part of pregnancy and must be endured. Sometimes, when women complain about seemingly trivial pregnancy pain, they feel criticized or belittled, and are told to toughen up. But the reality is that most of the pain of pregnancy can be avoided, with proper care.
Is Chiropractic Dangerous During Pregnancy?
According to the American Pregnancy Association, there are no reasons to avoid chiropractic care during pregnancy. As long as you work with a chiropractor who is trained in prenatal techniques, and your OB-GYN approves, you can feel at ease knowing that chiropractic can help you through whatever pain you’re dealing with.
A chiropractor can obtain many certifications in order to work effectively with pregnant patients. The Webster Certification, more commonly known as the Webster Technique, is a common certification within chiropractic. The Webster Technique is a specific type of chiropractic analysis and adjustment that aims to correct sacral and pelvic misalignment. The goal of this technique is to create more room in the pelvis, and facilitate labor and delivery. The ideal placement of a baby at the time of delivery is head down and rear-facing. When the baby is turned any other way, this can increase the likelihood of more invasive interventions, such as a C-section. The Webster Technique can help keep the baby in the optimal position.
Benefits of Chiropractic in Pregnancy
As the belly grows, the spinal curvature follows. The body also begins producing increasing amounts of a hormone called relaxin. Relaxin helps loosen your ligaments, allowing the pelvis to soften, which can accommodate a vaginal birth. However, those loose ligaments can also lead to hip pain, pelvic pain, and sacroiliac dysfunction.
Chiropractic care can help realign the spine and joints affected by pregnancy, and decrease pain and discomfort before, during ,and following delivery. It can also improve function for the mother and improve chances for the labor and delivery to proceed without complication. But the benefits do not stop there. Chiropractic can also help increase recovery rate after delivery and provide additional support and education for a new mother and her baby. Other benefits of chiropractic can include reduced nausea, fewer headaches, decreased swelling, more restful sleep, and reduced SI joint pain (which is often misdiagnosed as Sciatica).
At Family Chiropractic and Wellness, we also provide Prenatal Yoga to help you learn to breathe calmly and to stretch safely and effectively. Prenatal yoga also provides a community of mothers with a place to share the many feelings that come along with pregnancy and motherhood. We also have massage therapists who can help relieve tension in your body. For a comprehensive look at how chiropractic care can change your pregnancy for the better, give us a call! Call Family Chiropractic & Wellness to schedule an appointment or complimentary consultation today! 801-810-4144
