Pregnancy and childbirth are life-changing events, bringing endless joy, as well as challenges. While some challenges associated with pregnancy are considered “normal”, not every ache and pain needs to be there.
During pregnancy, physical, as well as emotional stress, is a common occurrence. As the fetus develops and grows, the body begins to shift. Pregnancy creates a great deal of strain on the spine and pelvis. As the fetus increases in size, the pelvis rocks forward, forcing muscles in the low back to tighten up and joints to not function properly.
Lower back pain affects 3 out of 4 pregnant women, and they are seeking relief.
More and more women are seeking chiropractic care as an effective alternative to drug therapy. Chiropractic care is health maintenance for the spinal column, nerves and bone structure. Adjusting misaligned joints of the body, especially of the spine, reduces nerve stress and promotes a healthier body.
Benefits of chiropractic care
Pregnant women can expect noticeable benefits from regular visits to the chiropractor. Apart from helping to maintain an overall healthier pregnancy, some potential benefits of chiropractic care include:
- Decreased low back, neck and joint pain
- Decreased likelihood of having a preterm baby
- Decreased duration of labor and delivery
- Decreased likelihood of cesarean delivery
- Decreased nausea
- Improved posture
Proper pelvic alignment and balance is another reason to seek chiropractic care during pregnancy. A misaligned spine may cause the uterus to twist and pull, reducing the amount of room available to the baby. This restriction is called intrauterine constraint.
A misaligned pelvis may also make it difficult for the baby to get into the best position for birth. This can lead to posterior or breech positions, making delivery more difficult and may directly increase the risk of interventions like C-sections.
The Webster Technique
A pioneer in chiropractic care, Dr. Larry Webster, DC, developed a technique to address intrauterine constraint. The Webster Technique enables chiropractors to establish natural balance in the pelvis and reduce stress to the uterus and surrounding ligaments.
The procedure is used when a woman is found to have a breech-laying baby. Research shows that it is over eighty percent effective, and gives mothers a less invasive option to turning a breech baby.
Pregnancy – an adventure for the body
Throughout the nine months of pregnancy, a great deal of shifting is going on in a woman’s body. While this shifting happens, the shape and weight of the body increase dramatically. Chiropractic care can help shifting that which is out of place back into shape. It can also achieve this without the use of drugs, while working naturally with the body. Chiropractic care can make childbirth easier, and with fewer complications. Regular visits to Pangea Family Chiropractic can offer this and more. Schedule a visit and experience the benefits for yourself.
Additional Resources
http://icpa4kids.org/Chiropractic-Research/Pregnancy-and-Adjustments/
