Many women have questions about chiropractic care during pregnancy. Is it safe to receive chiropractic adjustments while pregnant? Are there any dangers of chiropractic care during pregnancy? What are the benefits of chiropractic treatments?
It is generally safe to receive chiropractic care during pregnancy. Chiropractic treatments can reduce back pain, neck pain, joint stiffness, improve posture, and even reduce nausea. Many expectant mothers find relief in chiropractic adjustments, which can alleviate the physical strain associated with pregnancy and improve their quality of life. Chiropractic care offers a holistic approach to wellness and provides a medication-free option for pregnant women suffering from pain.
Chiropractic Care During Pregnancy Can Benefit You
If you or a loved one is pregnant, you might wonder if chiropractic adjustments and other types of chiropractic care are safe and effective for pregnant women. The good news is that chiropractors who offer prenatal care are specifically trained in techniques that meet the unique needs of pregnant women.
Prenatal chiropractors know how to perform adjustments and other chiropractic treatments that offer benefits to mothers without harming the developing baby. Some of the top benefits of chiropractic care during pregnancy include:
Reduced Pain and Stiffness
The body of a pregnant woman goes through many significant changes during pregnancy and it’s common for pregnant women to suffer from aches and pains caused by these changes.
Many women experience lower back and pelvic discomfort, neck pain, hip pain, joint pain, and reduced mobility. Chiropractic adjustments can help ease this pain by bringing the spine and bones into proper alignment.
Improved Pelvic Alignment
Chiropractors can use practices like the Webster Technique to relieve bodily tension and pain by improving pelvic balance and alignment. The Webster Technique has specifically been shown to reduce tension in the uterus and promote optimal fetal positioning.
Reduce Nausea and Morning Sickness
Many pregnant women find themselves frequently rushing to the restroom due to morning sickness. Chiropractic care may provide relief from pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting.
Reduce Sciatica Pain
Sciatica refers to compression of the sciatic nerve and is often caused by a herniated disc or spinal compression. Sciatic nerve pain is common during pregnancy. Chiropractic adjustments may help release pressure on the sciatic nerve, reducing pain and discomfort.
Shorter Labor Times
Regular chiropractic care during pregnancy may reduce difficulties in labor and lead to shorter labor times. A study published in the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine found that first-time mothers who receive chiropractic care throughout pregnancy have, on average, a 25% shorter labor and delivery period. Women who have had multiple pregnancies and receive chiropractic care have a 31% shorter birth process.
Improved Posture
Chiropractic care can help the body adapt to the changing weight distribution that occurs during pregnancy. Chiropractic adjustments can help pregnant women maintain good posture which reduces strain on the musculoskeletal system.
May Reduce the Need for Pain Medication
Pregnancy can be painful and chiropractic care presents an alternative to pain medication and invasive procedures. If you’re pregnant and worried about taking pain medication to treat your back pain, neck pain, sciatica, or related concerns, consider trying chiropractic care. Chiropractic adjustments can effectively alleviate many common pregnancy-related issues.
Pros and Cons of Chiropractic Care During Pregnancy
When evaluating the pros and cons of chiropractic care during pregnancy, the pros typically outweigh the cons for women with healthy pregnancies and no risk factors. Chiropractic treatments can relieve pain such as back pain and sciatica, improve pelvic alignment, and even reduce nausea. Some studies show that regular chiropractic care reduces labor and delivery time.
The potential cons of chiropractic care include the risk of aggravating existing medical conditions. This is why it’s important to discuss all of your health concerns and medical problems with your chiropractor before your first chiropractic adjustment. An experienced chiropractor will be able to evaluate you and determine whether chiropractic care is safe in your particular situation.
Another possible con is that some chiropractic positions may be somewhat uncomfortable, especially later in the pregnancy. Make sure to work with a chiropractor who puts your safety and comfort first and is willing to modify techniques as needed to ensure you are as comfortable and pain-free as possible.
Types of Chiropractic Care for Pregnant Women
When joints, bones, muscles, ligaments, and tendons are misaligned, you can experience significant pain and discomfort. During pregnancy, the body goes through so many changes that musculoskeletal problems become more common. Chiropractors use many different techniques to bring the musculoskeletal system into proper alignment. The types of chiropractic techniques your chiropractor will use depend on your specific needs and the type of discomfort you are experiencing.
Some of the chiropractic approaches we may recommend include:
Manual Manipulation of the Spine
Chiropractors often use their hands to physically move joints in the spine. This can relieve pain and discomfort caused by spinal compression and other problems. They sometimes use handheld devices or specialized equipment to aid in the adjustment process.
The activator method is a chiropractic technique that uses a small device called an activator adjusting instrument. The instrument provides a fast, low force thrust to joints to bring them into proper alignment.
Chiropractors may also use a drop table, which is a table that has sections that move up and down. During the adjustment, segments of the table are dropped, creating a controlled force. This technique allows the chiropractor to apply focused pressure to specific areas of the body with minimal discomfort to the patient.
Reflex Therapy
Body parts are interconnected. Reflex therapy involves stimulating specific points in the body to energize the entire body. Chiropractors may incorporate reflex therapy into the treatment plan to alleviate the discomfort pregnant women experience. It can also improve blood circulation and return the body to its natural state.
Contact Our Chiropractors to Learn About Chiropractic Care During Pregnancy
Chiropractic care offers many benefits for pregnant women. Through gentle chiropractic adjustments, chiropractors can address problems like back pain, neck pain, sciatica, fibromyalgia, joint stiffness, and reduced mobility. Chiropractic treatment can promote comfort, making the pregnancy more enjoyable. Studies show that chiropractic care can also improve pelvic alignment, potentially leading to a smoother labor and delivery process.
The team at Naples Community Injury Center provides safe chiropractic treatment and personalized care for pregnant women. If you want to learn more about how chiropractic care can benefit you during pregnancy, call us at 239-631-5445 and schedule an appointment. We look forward to helping you!
