Pregnancy & Chiropractic
DID YOU KNOW?!...Expecting mothers that saw a chiropractor regularly throughout their pregnancy had less low back pain, less stress and anxiety during pregnancy and labor, had better/healthier fetal positioning, and an easier and faster recovery time! During pregnancy there is a lot going on. The body is going through an enormous amount of stress while many new changes are starting to occur. During these numerous changes it is common that their body and spine are out of the proper alignment, especially in the low back, hip, and pelvic regions. That is the main reason why more and more pregnant women today are seeing a chiropractor during and after their pregnancy. Seeing a chiropractor throughout this stage in an expecting mother’s life is becoming more and more well-known, and for good reason!
Chiropractors mainly work with the nervous system, which control everything in our body, including the uterus. The nerves that go to the uterus leave the spinal cord in the low back, namely the sacrum or ‘tailbone’. When those nerves are irritated or have pressure on them, it makes sense that the uterus is not going to be functioning to its fullest potential. This can play a part in many issues such infertility, fetal positioning, pelvic floor muscle discomfort, digestive issues, etc.
As the baby grows its needs all the room it can get in the confining uterus. If there are misalignments in the mother’s low back, hips, and tailbone it can limit the space for the baby to grow and move into an ideal position for birth. Conditions such as torticollis and other neurological issues can appear if the mother’s misalignments are not addressed. This potentially can lead to medical interventions that may not have been necessary.
As pregnancy continues, the mother’s center of gravity changes causing changes in her posture and way she walks. This alone can cause misalignments in the low back and pelvis, but furthermore is aggravated by a pregnancy hormone called relaxin. Relaxin’s purpose is to allow the mother’s muscles, ligaments, and tendons to relax allowing more room for the baby is it continues to grow. However, it can also allow the connective tissues of the spine to relax causes more misalignments because the joint aren’t held as tightly anymore, allowing them to shift out of place easier. This can cause low back pain and nerve impingement, both of which chiropractic can help with.
Please feel free to give Genesis Chiropractic a call with any questions or to set up a free consultation for you and your family. Our doctors specialize in chiropractic care for pregnant women and are passionate about your health and wellbeing.