Pregnancy Care
CHIROPRACTIC CARE MAKES FOR EASIER PREGNANCY
During pregnancy, the body undergoes several physiological and endocrinological changes that result in spinal and pelvic misalignment. Hormones loosen the ligaments in the mother’s body combined with a lowered center of gravity and the baby’s added weight can create great physical stress for the mother. Aside from being painful and generally uncomfortable for the mother, this can also result in several complications during delivery. According to research, 50% of all expectant women suffer back pain during their pregnancy period. 50 to 75% of the women suffer back pain through labor as well as delivery. 21% of the women seek medical care regarding neck pain. These statistics may not be perfect, but they indicate the need for chiropractic care during pregnancy. We believe that it is extremely important, to both you and your baby, that you receive regular chiropractic care throughout your entire pregnancy. Most chiropractors have observed that pregnant women feel much better during their pregnancy with regular visits to a chiropractor.
PRENATAL CHIROPRACTIC CARE IS SAFE
While some chiropractors have additional certification in prenatal chiropractic care, all chiropractors are trained to treat pregnant women safely and effectively.
Any chiropractor trained in pregnancy chiropractic care will use a special chiropractic table that accounts for the physical changes that occur during pregnancy in the female body. They will also know to keep a patient from lying flat on her back during pregnancy and will have her lie on her side as an alternative.
If you have any questions or concerns about chiropractic care during your pregnancy, talk with your chiropractor as well as your primary doctor. They will both be able to answer your questions and help you determine the correct solution.
Chiropractic Care during Pregnancy: 1st Trimester
There are a few things that are likely to happen in the first trimester: you are either going to feel very sick, very tired, or both. Many women may experience deep fatigue, and sometimes from doing nothing. The best course of action would be to allow yourself that extra rest you desperately need. Consider massage therapy to help you relax and allow your body to rest.
You might have a very well-planned fitness schedule from your fitness trainer, but that may not be enough. Once you become pregnant, you may find that intense fatigue will hit you, and you may soon find out that it is not as simple for you to get out of bed in the morning as you used to. Instead, you may need to allow yourself more sleep time.
Some women may choose to cope with the aching, discomforts, and fatigue experienced in the first trimester. You do not need to do that if chiropractor care is within your reach. According to the American Pregnancy Association, there are no known reasons that suggest chiropractic is unsafe during pregnancy.
The Association suggests that regular manipulative care can provide safe as well as an effective treatment for strained joints and muscles that are pulled by the developing fetus. Even though, some may advise consulting your regular doctor prior to visiting a chiropractor’s office if you have special considerations. There are a number of things that chiropractic can help with within the first trimester, and they include:
- Help with nausea
- Reduce time of labor and delivery
- Reduce lower back pain, neck pain, and joint pain
- Help prevent a C-section
- Lower risk of pre-term delivery
- Reduced need for pain medication during delivery and pregnancy
- Faster recovery time
Chiropractic Care While Pregnant: 3rd Trimester
The third trimester usually brings its own set of challenges. Many women experience a lot of hip and back pain, which is due to the relaxin hormone. Hormonal factors can also increase pronation. The hormone relaxin increases the elasticity of connective tissues. As a result, the plantar fascia, the plantar capsular, and the plantar ligamentous fibers soften and elongate.
The softening and elongation leads to dropped arches of the foot. The pronated feet are more likely to occur during pregnancy along with an increase of weight distribution on the feet as well as the anterior shift of the weight-bearing line. In light of these events, more women have been seeking chiropractic care.
There are specific manipulative procedures your doctor of chiropractic would focus on during the third trimester to get your body in good shape for labor and delivery. Strengthening your pelvic floor is one of the primary objectives. This minimizes the stress put on the pelvic muscles during pregnancy and increases circulation to your vaginal area.
This speeds healing after birth and helps your pelvic floor return to its pre-pregnancy state. You will need to continue with chiropractic care are after you give birth to continue to strengthen your pelvic muscles. You can also engage in fitness exercises, such as pelvic tilts to strengthen your core and ease back pain during pregnancy and labor.
However, the two biggest benefits of prenatal chiropractic care involve making delivery as easy for the mother as possible. They are restoring pelvic balance and maximizing room for the baby in the womb.
RESTORING PELVIC BALANCE
When pregnant, everything changes from the way a woman walks to the way she sleeps. Chiropractic care will help with postural discomfort and adjust the body for optimal health and wellness by realigning the spine and restoring pelvic balance. Through these methods, chiropractic care can naturally and safely relieve many of the aches and pains associated with pregnancy.
MAXIMIZING SPACE FOR THE BABY
All chiropractors have training in restoring pelvic balance during pregnancy and using pelvic balance to ensure the baby is in the optimal position for delivery.
When the pelvis is misaligned, it can limit the space the baby has in the womb. This makes it harder for the baby to move into the desired position for delivery, affecting the mother’s ability to have a natural birth. However with chiropractic care, the pelvic balance can be restored and this can often be easily solved.
FIND OUT HOW CHIROPRACTIC CARE AT FOUNDATION CHIROPRACTIC CAN IMPROVE OVERALL HEALTH
Seeing a chiropractor regularly has several advantages that are only added to during pregnancy. Pregnant women undergo an incredible physical and endocrinological change that puts their bodies under great duress. These stresses can easily be alleviated by chiropractors and make pregnancy a more enjoyable experience for the mother.
Chiropractic Adjustments
Designed to manipulate vertebrae that have abnormal movement patterns, or which fail to function properly.
Instrument-Assisted Chiropractic
Uses advanced technology to adjust your vertebrae and produce the relief that increases your comfort and wellbeing.
Chiropractic Exam
Analysis based on your specific complaints, and is designed to determine the issues causing you pain or discomfort.
Pregnancy Care
During pregnancy, the body undergoes several physiological and endocrinological changes that result in spinal and pelvic misalignment.
X-rays
Our practice uses advanced digital imaging to capture highly detailed images of your musculoskeletal system, which allow us to provide you with a more accurate diagnosis, and a much more precise and effective treatment.
Car Accident
The neck and back are some of the most vulnerable parts of the body during a car accident. Our chiropractors our expert in car accident chiropractic services.
Decompression Therapy
Our chiropractors may offer decompression, also known as spinal decompression, to help relieve back, neck, or leg pain.
Neurological Exam
Our chiropractic team provides neurological exams to determine when nerves are involved with your problem, and which nerves are the source of your pain and discomfort.
Postural Analysis
Our team will often perform a postural analysis as part of your chiropractic exam to determine if your posture is contributing to, or causing your pain; and what your correct posture should be.
Electrical Stimulation
Our chiropractors may offer Electrical Stimulation, also called a TENS unit.
Therapeutic Ultrasound
Therapeutic ultrasound is a noninvasive procedure that uses low-power ultrasound waves to create vibrations and/or raise the temperature of body tissue in a targeted area, providing pain relief and loosening tight muscles.
PRP/Ozone injections
Site-specific intramuscular injections can help pain and wound healing.