There are many questions concerning chiropractic care during pregnancy that we help answer. Here are a few of the more common questions.
Q: Is Chiropractic care safe for all pregnancy women?
A: Yes, as long as the chiropractic physician has been trained on working with pregnant patients (See question below). Be sure to explain your concerns to your chiropractor to be sure you understand some of the minor risks involved (such as soreness). Generally speaking, Chiropractic care is a safe and conservative approach to healthcare. There are no medications or surgery. Chiropractic care is focused on improving the musculoskeletal system (muscle, bones, and joints) as well as the nervous system.
Q: Is there a difference between a pregnancy certified chiropractor and a general chiropractor?
A: Yes. Any Chiropractic Physician who is licensed can help a pregnant patient, yet there are distinct advantages with those who are trained and experienced. For a general chiropractor there are certain techniques or adjustments that they will simply eliminate because the patient is pregnant. An experienced pregnancy chiropractor understands common complaints and concerns and will be able to make adaptation and add to the treatment instead of reduce the care.
Q: What can chiropractic care help with during pregnancy?
A: Many things, pain relief being the most popular. This includes back pain, hip pain, neck pain, leg pain, round ligament pain, hand and arm pain, pain while walking, pain while sleeping. Other very common benefits include improved sleep, increased mobility (ability to move and function), proper fetal position (helps to correct breech), and can even help reduce labor and delivery times by 24%-40%.
Q: When is the best time to begin receiving chiropractic care during pregnancy?
A: It varies. We have seen patients who come for treatment the first month of pregnancy and a few who have their initial visit after 40 weeks or even while in the early stages of labor. What will mostly determin the right time for you to come in is to understand what your goal for care. Are you interested in maintaininf or even increasing your function during pregnancy? Do you simply want to be able to sleep better? Are you concerned with a breech positioned baby?
Our recommendation is to come in for an initial evaluation and treatment as soon as is convenient. We will show you how we can help and give wonderful advice and tips to stay out of pain and fully functioning throughout pregnancy. As you understand the why and how you will know when you need treatment. This approach may also be the best financially. Those who wait can sometimes require additional treatment to find sufficient relief.
Q: What are the risks of chiropractic care during pregnancy?
A: Very, very few. Increased soreness may be present for up to 24-48 hours, although this is usually more like 15-60 minutes with significant relief immediately following. Occasionally we run across a new patient who is concerned about the ‘cracking and popping.’ Because of the state of the pregnant patient the force needed to adjust the joints is very mild and most patients are pleasantly surprised by the minimal force needed to get results. In fact, the vast majority of those who are concerned or nervous to be adjusted are those who respond positively and may even laugh or sigh after the adjustment. Ask your chiropractor if you have speficic questions about your risks.
Q: How often will I need to be treated?
A: The most common treatment plan we use is to see the patient weekly after we have established good habits. Time between visits generally increased up to 2-3 weeks once relief has been provided. Each patient may respond differently as well as each condition was require increased frequency.
If you have any other questions please feel free to call or text our office at 801-810-4144. We’d be glad to help in any way we can. You can also schedule an appointment at the same number.
