Chiropractic Care During Pregnancy

For those of you who have been pregnant, or who have shared in a pregnancy experience, it is likely that low back pain was a part of that story. Around 50-85% of women experience low back or pelvic pain during pregnancy.

 

As the fetus grows, a woman’s center of gravity changes, and abnormal load is placed upon the joints of the lumbar spine and sacroiliac joints. The combined weight of the fetus and fluids can place up to 35 pounds of pressure upon the base of the spine! The way a child is carried in the uterus also pulls the stomach forward, and causes the spine to go into hyperlordosis (sway-back) which stresses spinal discs.

 

Along with added weight, changing hormones contribute to a woman’s experience during pregnancy. As the child grows, a hormone called relaxin is released which causes the ligaments to become hypermobile (stretchy) and can change spinal function. Increased levels of estrogen and progesterone affect the muscles and soft tissues of the low back and pelvis, and may lead to muscle tightness or “knots”.

 

How Does Chiropractic Help? Chiropractic helps to reduce low back and pelvic pain from pregnancy by relaxing the muscles and tissues of the abdomen and lumbar spine, correcting posture, reducing stress on joints, and balancing the pressure placed upon the pelvis and sacrum.

 

In fact, in one large study, 84% of women who went to a chiropractor saw relief from their symptoms. Chiropractic also reduced the incidence of “back labor”, which a woman is 3 times more likely to have if they suffered from low back pain during their pregnancy. Chiropractic patients may also have up to a 25-31% shorter labor time due to a well-balanced pelvis.

 

Is it Safe?Chiropractic care is very safe, with few associated side-effects. Due to loosening ligaments from relaxin, chiropractic adjustments during pregnancy are gentle and light-force. With pregnancy, it is important to consult with your chiropractor all of your symptoms, and if you have had any pregnancy complications. Certain modalities (e-stim, therapeutic ultrasound, laser therapy, etc.) should be avoided. Very few adverse effects have been reported, and those identified did not negatively affect the lumbar spine, pelvis, or the developing child.

 

After BirthBirth is a strenuous process for both mother and child, and can have many effects upon the spine of both individuals. Especially for babies born with medical intervention (C-section, vacuum, forceps, pulled out by the arm, etc.), many forces can be placed upon their small developing bodies. In a study of 1,000 infants, it was shown that a large number of births significantly affect the upper cervical spine (neck) which may lead to issues such as torticollis, neck pain, or colic.

 

Up to 77% of women may continue to experience low back pain or other musculoskeletal symptoms postpartum. Birth temporarily weakens spinal and abdominal muscles due to stretching and potential tearing of tissues. The positioning and mobility of joints is also affected as hormones begin to return back to the pre-pregnancy state which can cause pain.

 

If you are pregnant or experiencing low back pain during pregnancy, let the team at Augustine Chiropractic – Wesley Chapel get you feeling your best again! Call or email our office to schedule an appointment, or follow the link at the top of our website at www.augustine-chiropractic.com.