Pregnancy in Chiropractic- Pre & Postpartum
Chiropractors are licensed professionals that use pressure to manipulate joints in the body to realign the spine and reduce joint pain, and discomfort. They treat many conditions that affect the musculoskeletal and nervous systems.
Chiropractic care, rooted in the health maintenance of of the musculoskeletal system, particularly the spine, serves a critical role in the holistic management of stress. When we think of stress, it is often in the realm of the emotional and psychological, but physical stress may manifest as muscle tension, headaches, and even digestive issues. Chiropractic treatment can play a vital role in alleviating these physical manifestations, thereby providing relief from the distressing symptoms of stress.
The human body functions as an interconnected system, with the spinal column and nervous system at its core, acting as a superhighway for signals from the brain to every other part of the body. Stress, in its various forms, can cause disruptions or ‘roadblocks’ on this superhighway, leading to a multitude of physical symptoms. A chiropractor, through precise and controlled adjustments, works to clear these roadblocks, restoring the free flow of communication within the body.
Regular adjustments can help reduce pain, correct your body’s alignment, and improve bodily processes such as the immune system. The most common reasons for getting a chiropractic adjustment are lower back and hip pain, headaches, muscle pain, and neck pain.
Now that we have a little background on what chiropractic is, let’s take a look at chiropractic care during pregnancy.
Chiropractic Care During Pregnancy
Pregnancy can be a wonderful time in a woman’s life, but it can also be a time of discomfort and pain. Fortunately for pregnant patients, chiropractic manipulation can help alleviate some of these symptoms and make pregnancy more comfortable.
Is chiropractic care safe during pregnancy?
As pregnancy progresses, women’s bodies go through a multitude of physical changes to create and prepare an environment that is safe for the developing baby, which can result in painful or uncomfortable postural adaptations. These changes in posture can cause the spine and pelvis to become misaligned, joints to become irritated, and other areas of the body, like the neck, shoulders, and hips, to be put under extreme tension.
Chiropractic care during pregnancy is generally safe if the chiropractor is trained and experienced in working with pregnant women. In fact, chiropractic care can be beneficial during pregnancy, as it can alleviate low back pain, improve sleep, and reduce the risk of complications during delivery.
How can chiropractic care help during pregnancy?
Chiropractic care can help alleviate a variety of symptoms for pregnant women, including:
- Back pain: As the baby grows, the extra weight can put strain on the back, causing pain and discomfort. Chiropractic adjustments can realign the spine and alleviate this pain.
- Pelvic pain: Pelvic misalignment can occur during pregnancy, which can cause pain and discomfort. Chiropractic adjustments can realign the pelvis and alleviate this pain.
- Breech position: Chiropractic care can help turn a breech baby by realigning pelvic balance and encouraging the baby to move into the correct position. Around 3-5% of pregnant women experience a breech position baby each year.
- Delivery: Chiropractic care can help prepare the body for delivery by ensuring that the pelvis is properly aligned and the nervous system is functioning correctly.
How to Turn Your Breech Baby with the Webster Technique
Between weeks 28 and 32 of pregnancy, the baby begins to turn head-first into the pelvic cavity. If the baby has not turned by 36 weeks, the baby will be considered ‘breech’. This presents concern about compressing the umbilical cord and causing the baby to inhale fluid.
The Webster Chiropractic Technique is a specific prenatal chiropractic care technique that can be helpful during pregnancy, especially if the baby is in breech presentation. This technique involves gentle adjustments to realign the pelvis and reduce tension in the surrounding ligaments and muscles.
By doing so, this technique can help ensure that the baby is in the optimal position for delivery and can reduce the risk of complications. It can also alleviate pain and discomfort during pregnancy and improve the overall function of the nervous system by decreasing interference.
For many pregnant women, the Webster technique may work like a charm, but for other women, it may not be enough. Remember that it is not about what method you use but rather listening to and caring for the needs of the mother and baby.
Pregnant patients considering chiropractic care should ask their prenatal chiropractor first if they are trained in the Webster Technique or other techniques and exercises to help flip a breech baby.
When should I start seeing a chiropractor during pregnancy?
You can start seeing a chiropractor at any point during your pregnancy, but it’s usually best to start in the second or third trimester first. This is because the baby has already developed, and the risk of miscarriage is lower.
However, if you were receiving adjustments before the pregnancy or are experiencing pain or discomfort earlier than the second trimester, you can start seeing a prenatal chiropractor earlier.
But what about after the baby is born? Can regular chiropractic treatment still provide benefits? Absolutely.
Postpartum Chiropractic Care: How It Can Help You Bounce Back After Giving Birth
Chiropractic care can also be beneficial in the postpartum period. After giving birth, the body undergoes many changes, including a shift in weight distribution and hormonal changes. Chiropractic adjustments can help realign the spine and pelvis after birth, which can alleviate pain and discomfort and help the body recover more quickly.
Additionally, chiropractic care during pregnancy can help improve breastfeeding by reducing tension in the neck and shoulders. It’s recommended to start seeing a chiropractor postpartum as soon as you feel ready.
Chiropractic care can also help new mothers with other postpartum issues, such as postpartum depression. According to a study published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, chiropractic care can reduce the symptoms of postpartum depression by 50 percent. This is because the chiropractic treatment and adjustments can help improve spinal nerve stress, which can help reduce stress and anxiety levels.
Another benefit of regular chiropractic care both during pregnancy and postpartum is that it can help women regain their pre-pregnancy body shape. Chiropractic adjustments can help realign the spine and establish pelvic balance, which can improve posture and make it easier to exercise. In addition, chiropractic care can help reduce inflammation and pain, which can make it easier for women to resume their exercise routine after giving birth.
Conclusion
In summary, chiropractic care can provide numerous benefits for new mothers during the postpartum period as well as during pregnancy. It can alleviate pain and discomfort, improve the immune system, improve breastfeeding, reduce symptoms of postpartum depression, and help women regain their pre-pregnancy body shape.
If you’re a new or expecting mother, consider seeing a chiropractor to help you recover and adjust to your new role.
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