Pregnancy
Being pregnant doesn't mean you have to have muscle and joint pain! Chiropractic care can manage your pain safely. Special tables and pillows are available to allow you to lay safely on your stomach as your aches and pains are treated.
Changes occurring during pregnancy:
- Ligamentous laxity
- Weight gain leading to a change in posture
- Increased demand on back and pelvis musculature
- Increased lumbar lordosis leading to joint stress
Benefits of chiropractic while pregnant:
- Maintaining pregnancy
- Control vomiting and associated side affects
- Increase likelihood of full term pregnancy
- Reduce labor and delivery time
- Relieve back, neck or joint pain
- Prevent possible cesarean section or vaginal breech delivery
Chiropractic treatment for neuromuscular and biomechanical problems:
- Gentle spinal adjusting procedures
- Therapeutic stretches and exercises
- Soft tissue work
- Dietary and nutritional counseling
- General pregnancy information
Goals during pregnancy care:
- Pain relief during pregnancy
- Faster, less painful labor
- Post-partum recovery
- Provide adequate information about general nutrition, health, and arising questions about pregnancy
Incorporate the use of at home exercises:
- Waist rotation
- Hip rotation
- Spinal stretch from side to side
- Spinal stretch from forward to backward
- Torso twist
- Pelvic rock
General tips for maintaining a healthy back:
- Exercise
- Wear proper shoes
- Lift properly at work
References:
“Back pain during pregnancy and labor”. Diakow PR, et al. Journal of Manipulative and physiologic Therapeutics, 1991: 14(2): 116-118.
“Sacroiliac subluxation: a common, treatable cause of low-back pain in pregnancy”, Daly JM et al. Family Practice Research Journal, 1991:11(2) 149-159.
“Effect of pressure…for inhibition of lumbar myalgia during labor”. Guthrie RA, Martin RH. Journal of the American Osteopathic Association. 1982: 82(4): 247-251.
“Chiropractic spinal manipulation for low back pain of pregnancy: A retrospective case series”. J. Midwifery Women Health 2006 (Jan); 51(1): e7-10.