Chiropractic Care
Regular chiropractic care has been reported by many parents to be a benefit during the prenatal and postpartum part of pregnancy. It helps keep mom feeling good and assists her in coping with the physical stresses of an ever changing body.
- Neuromuscular and Biochemical Changes During Pregnancy
- Chiropractic Treatment of the Neuromuscular and Biochemical Problems
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Chiropractic and Pregnancy Scientific Studies
Neuromuscular and Biochemical Changes During Pregnancy
During pregnancy, most women experience a number of neuromuscular and biochemical problems which respond favorably to gentle, safe, noninvasive chiropractic care. These include:
- release of the hormone relaxin causes muscle and ligament relaxation
- allows joints to more easily misalign
- allows joints to more easily misalign
- increased weight gain
- increased demand and fatigue on spinal and pelvic muscles
- increased stress on spinal and pelvic ligaments
- increase in lumbar and thoracic spinal curves which further increase the above
- increased joint stress and thus occurrence of vertebral and sacroiliac joint misalignments
- change in weight distribution
- increased demand and fatigue on spinal and pelvic muscles
- increased stress on spinal and pelvic ligaments
- increase in lumbar and thoracic spinal curves which further increase the above
- increased joint stress and thus occurrence of vertebral and sacroiliac joint misalignments
The above changes primarily affect the pelvic and spinal ligaments, muscles, joints and other supportive soft tissues. These changes cause sprain/strains of pelvic and spinal structures, as well as alteration of the normal spinal curvatures and spinal biomechanics. The result is an increased stress on the body leading to pain and discomfort.
Chiropractic Treatment of the Neuromuscular and Biochemical Problems
Doctors of chiropractic may alleviate the uncomfortable symptoms arising from the muscular, ligamentous, and biomechanical stresses encountered during pregnancy. We accomplish this through the use of a number of highly specialized procedures and techniques:
- Gentle Spinal Adjustive Procedures - specifically designed for use in the pregnant female may:
- assist in maintaining a spine free from vertebral misalignments and fixations - optimizing spinal biomechanics
- keep pelvis and spine in correct position/posture
- assist in pain relief by (1) reflexively reducing pain levels, and (2) reducing spinal and pelvic stresses which produce soft tissue pain
- keep tissues and biomechanics functioning optimally to minimize complications during birth
- Therapeutic exercises and stretches prescribed during pregnancy may:
- keep spinal musculature strong, balanced, and pain-free
- enable spinal muscles to maintain the spine and body in a neutral, correct posture
- keep mom active and mobile
- Soft Tissue Work - massage, trigger point work, soft tissue mobilization, etc. may:
- keep muscles relaxed and flexible
- reduces bouts of muscle aches and pains
- reduces spinal stress
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chiropractic Care Safe During Pregnancy?
Chiropractic care during pregnancy is considered safe for both mother and fetus. Spinal adjustments are especially gentle during pregnancy as far less force is required to correct misalignments. This is due to the increase in hormones causing significant muscle and ligamentous relaxation. Special "adjustive" positions are also used to provide comfort and safety for both mom and fetus.
How Often Should I Receive Chiropractic Care During My Pregnancy?
The frequency of care varies for a number of different reasons. Typically, regular care during a non-complicated pregnancy will range from once per week to once per month.
Chiropractic and Pregnancy Scientific Studies
Low Back Pain During Pregnancy
In this study, researchers identified the sacroiliac joints of the pelvis (frequently "adjusted" by chiropractors) as being responsible for the majority of low back pain cases in pregnancy. This is due to the significant number of hormonal and biomechanical changes occurring in the pelvis during pregnancy. Researchers found 7/10 women were helped by spinal manipulation in this study.
- Bery G, Hammar M, Moller-Nielsen J et al. Obstet and Gynecol, 72:71-75, 1988.
