Pregnancy can be one of life’s most beautiful and rewarding experiences, but as your body moves through pregnancy, aches and pains can arise. Women often believe this pain is just a part of pregnancy and they must deal with it for the next nine months. But thanks to chiropractic care for pregnant women, those aches and pains can be treated and alleviated.
Chiropractic Care for Pregnant Women
Common Changes in the Body
Your body goes through countless changes during pregnancy. Not only do you take on additional weight, but your hormones change. Once pregnant, the body releases the hormone relaxin. This aptly named chemical causes the ligaments that connect your bones to loosen up. This is great for your growing baby, who will need extra room over the next several months, but it’s hard on your body. The loosened ligaments mean that your pelvis is less supported. One of the most common side effects of this physical change is the misalignment of the spine. Correcting the alignment of the spine and pelvis can reduce discomfort and muscle spasms as your body takes on more weight during pregnancy. But correcting your body’s alignment is also good for the baby.
According to the American Pregnancy Association, a misaligned pelvis can shrink the amount of room your baby has to develop in the womb. That restriction in space can also make it hard for your baby to get in the best position during delivery. Finally, your body’s center of gravity also changes. As the baby grows, your center of gravity shifts forward as does the distribution of your weight. This causes increased curvature in your lower back and can cause your spinal discs to take on extra stress.
Benefits of Chiropractic Care for Pregnant Women
The American Pregnancy Association lists several benefits of chiropractic care for pregnant women, including controlling nausea, reducing labor time, relieving back and neck pain, and preventing the need for a c-section. Prenatal treatment has also been shown to help maintain a healthier pregnancy, and women adjusted throughout their pregnancy report faster, easier labors, and a lower incidence of breech-presenting babies.
Chiropractic care is also a drug-free way to reduce pain and discomfort during pregnancy. This can be a great benefit for many women who are seeking a holistic approach to birth and who want to limit the amount of medicine they ingest during pregnancy.
Common Questions
Chiropractors hear a lot of the same questions: Once I start treatment, will I have to continue for the rest of my life? Can I try this at home? Will it hurt? When it comes to chiropractic care for pregnant women, the most common questions center around treatment. Unlike traditional adjustments, prenatal care uses adjustable tables to avoid putting pressure on the abdomen.
It is also recommended that you see your chiropractor before getting pregnant or early in the pregnancy. Not only will this allow your chiropractor to correct any misalignments that could cause unnecessary discomfort as your pregnancy progresses, but it will also help him or her notice irregular muscular changes and developments during the duration of your pregnancy. If you’re not comfortable with prenatal adjustments, you might consider prenatal massages. This is another way to manage discomfort and pain during pregnancy.
_____
We offer expectant mothers a wide range of natural health care options, including prenatal chiropractic treatments, acupuncture, massage, and nutritional information. Let us help you feel your best throughout your pregnancy. Contact Loehr Chiropractic & Acupuncture today or call us at 417-887-8075.
