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Is it safe to get chiropractic adjustments while pregnant? Many people wonder about this, and we get it! Pregnancy can result in many new aches and pains in your body, especially your back. So, people often wonder what kind of help they can receive during pregnancy and after giving birth.
During pregnancy, the body ramps up the production of a specific ligament- and joint-loosening hormone called relaxin, which prepares the way for the baby to exit.
However, relaxin and your expanding belly might make you feel loose-limbed, unsteady, and somewhat clumsy. Your body is growing quickly, and sometimes, your ligaments and muscles struggle to keep up. And all of this combined can take a toll on your back and spine.
Chiropractic care maintains the health of the spinal column and adjusts misaligned joints. It does not involve surgery or drugs; instead, it is physical therapy that reduces spinal nerve stress and promotes health.
Chiropractic care keeps the spine aligned, which can be helpful for pregnant women who feel discomfort. Sometimes, obstetricians and midwives recommend chiropractic care to their patients.
Though all licensed chiropractors learn about pregnancy, some focus on prenatal care. Inquire about their specialization, or consult your doctor for a recommendation.
Chiropractors have tables for pregnant women so their bellies fit comfortably. They must use methods that don’t stress the belly. Chiropractors can also show you effective stretches for relieving tension and easing discomfort.
What is a Prenatal Chiropractor?
Prenatal chiropractors are practitioners trained in stretching techniques, applying controlled pressure, and making certain joint manipulations.
Expecting patients may use the Webster Technique, specifically developed for pregnant women. It is supposed to ensure your baby has sufficient room to move around and, in the later stages of pregnancy, to help turn breech babies. If your baby can move around much more easily, she will probably end up in the head-down position.
Sometimes, the method requires slight changes to the sacrum (a big bone at the lower part of your back) and a quick, soft rub of the round ligament in the middle of your expanding belly. Easing stress along the round ligament could help create room, allowing gravity to guide your baby downward during labor.
Research has suggested that spinal adjustments might also alleviate tension in the ligaments around the pelvis and any lower back pain associated with a growing belly.
What are the Benefits of Chiropractic Care While Pregnant?
Chiropractic care might help soothe the ligaments and muscles that change as your body grows, which might pave the way for a smoother delivery. But a lot of those claims are unproven.
Still, enthusiasts contend that seeing a chiropractor while pregnant may reduce a host of pregnancy concerns, including:
Relief From Back Pain
Back pain is among the most common complaints among pregnant women. It is often caused by loosening joints and ligaments in preparation for delivery. Routine adjustments throughout pregnancy can help to relieve pain or injury induced by spinal instability or loosened joints and ligaments.
Nausea Reduction
For many pregnant women who suffer from severe “morning sickness” and nausea, chiropractic care can offer significant relief. While certain medicines or dietary adjustments might alleviate nausea in some expectant mothers, a more comprehensive approach could prove more impactful. Chiropractors tackle nausea and vomiting by concentrating on realigning the spine, which in turn enhances nervous system functioning to promote hormonal equilibrium. Additionally, adjustments can help improve digestive issues, which can cause everything from nausea to constipation during pregnancy.
Improved Pelvic Balance
For moms worried about babies being breech before birth, this is crucial. Some evidence suggests chiropractic care in pregnancy can help keep the pelvis balanced, making it easier for babies to turn into the correct position. According to a study in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, chiropractors achieved an 82 percent success rate in turning breech babies.
A Smoother, More Empowered Delivery
Many women who continue going to the chiropractor while they’re pregnant notice that giving birth feels easier. This happens because getting adjusted regularly helps keep their hips, pelvis, and spine aligned correctly. When their nerves are working well, it might be simpler for them to manage contractions.
Posture Support
Pregnant women should avoid the “arching” of the back that commonly occurs during pregnancy because this can cause long-term back pain and injury. With chiropractic guidance, you’ll discover methods to maintain proper posture and alignment in your spine.
Better Sleep
Improper sleep posture can result in pain and restlessness during pregnancy. Unfortunately, many women get less sleep when they need it the most. With guidance from a chiropractor, pregnant women can learn techniques for great sleep posture.
Reduce Hip Pain and Discomfort
For many women, simply getting around becomes increasingly difficult as pregnancy progresses. As your posture shifts and your hips get tighter, walking gets harder. It takes work to keep moving or do regular tasks.
Regular chiropractic care helps your hip joints move smoothly, making walking easier and more comfortable.
For example, with back pain, you can avoid extra pain medications and concentrate on addressing what’s causing it.
Shorter Labor and Delivery
We’ve all heard scary tales of labor lasting 18 hours and deliveries that feel like marathons; perhaps some of you have even been through them. Every expecting mom dreams of a quick labor and an easy delivery.
Getting chiropractic care during pregnancy can increase your chances of experiencing that. When your body is aligned well, and the baby is positioned right for a natural birth, labor might be shorter. Plus, the likelihood of needing a cesarean or other medical help decreases.
Reduction in the Need for Pain Medication
Many women promise to endure childbirth without any pain relief, but most can’t achieve it.
People don’t avoid it because they’re not determined. They avoid it because it’s really painful. Lots of women reach a stage where they require some form of relief.
Pregnant women find relief with chiropractic care; half say they use less pain meds. When the body’s aligned, things go smoother and hurt less.
Faster Physical Recovery
After having a baby, it might take different amounts of time for your body to get better because your ligaments might be loose, you might have nerve problems, or your bones might not be aligned right from pregnancy. It’s important to visit your chiropractor soon after giving birth so they can fix these problems.
Your treatments will help restore nerve function and communication, correct subluxations that may have occurred during delivery, and even help with breastfeeding.
Being pregnant and giving birth is a tough physical experience. Going to a chiropractor afterward can aid in bringing back your body to how it was before you got pregnant.
Lower Likelihood of Postpartum Depression
Having a baby can make some women feel sad for a long time. This sadness, called postpartum depression, can last even after the baby is born. Sometimes, it’s so bad that it makes new moms hurt their babies.
This is a medical issue that needs a doctor’s care.
During pregnancy and after birth, chiropractic treatment could increase endorphin production in the body. Studies show this can enhance emotional well-being.
If you’re dealing with more than just the usual “baby blues,” it’s important to consult your doctor. However, maintaining regular chiropractic care might provide some comfort during challenging times.
Continued Wellness After Pregnancy
Pregnant women who get chiropractic adjustments can still benefit from them after childbirth. Proper alignment can prevent new mothers from getting hurt when they bend to pick up their babies, hold them for a while, push strollers, or lift car seats.
Are There Any Benefits to My Baby?
Visiting a chiropractor can ease the lower back and hip pain you’re experiencing during pregnancy, but did you know your baby can benefit, too? If your pelvis is misaligned, your baby has less space to develop, which can cause issues. When this occurs, it’s called intrauterine constraint. It might cause congenital disabilities if not taken care of.
When your pelvis is not properly aligned, it may cause issues when giving birth. This happens because there might not be enough room for your baby to get into the correct position for delivery. It’s best if your baby is born with their head down and facing toward the back; however, this is only possible if there is enough room to move. Suppose the baby ends up in a breech or posterior position. Well, if that happens, delivering gets trickier, and the odds for a natural and non-invasive birth drop.
Is it Safe to Get Chiropractic Adjustments While Pregnant: How Seeing A Chiropractor While Pregnant Works
Chiropractors can offer safe and tailored care during your pregnancy and after giving birth. They’ll examine you carefully to find the right treatment for your discomfort and help your body prepare for the challenges of pregnancy and childbirth. Many specific adjustment techniques are available for pregnant women, so don’t hesitate to seek relief through chiropractic care!
In chiropractic care, we always customize the treatment for each person. When treating pregnant women, we use various methods to suit their growing bellies and make adjustments without them needing to lie face down. Additionally, we can teach you safe and helpful stretches to ease discomfort.
So, in short, the answer is yep! It’s safe to visit a chiropractor during pregnancy. It’s safe and offers more perks than you’d expect. Please reach out to us today to learn more!