If you or your partner has ever been pregnant, you know that pregnancy is a life-changing experience full of amazing changes and a whole range of challenges. Research shows that 50 percent of all pregnant women experience back pain and other body aches and pains at some point during their pregnancy.
These pregnancy pains often develop as a result of the tremendous physical and psychological changes that increase stress on nerves and muscles. Thankfully, the many body aches and pains experienced during pregnancy can be avoided and relieved with regular chiropractor visits. However, it’s important that you discuss this with your doctor before seeking chiropractic care during pregnancy.
Read on to learn what chiropractic care during pregnancy is all about and whether or not there are any risks involved.
Chiropractic care can be defined as a patient-centered, non-invasive form of health care focused on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disorders of the musculoskeletal system and nervous system. Think of chiropractors as physicians who care for any kind of bone, joint, tendon, or muscle dysfunction or pain.
They leverage various techniques and adjustments to gently realign your joints, relax tight muscles, support sprained joints, and release tension in the connective body tissues. A chiropractor may also offer exercises that help restore and maintain your mobility and stability.
Generally, chiropractic care has emerged as a great way to not only alleviate the many pains and aches expectant women experience but also improve overall health and well-being.
A resounding Yes. A recent research review shows that chiropractic care during pregnancy is safe and effective, particularly when it comes to treating common musculoskeletal symptoms that affected expectant women.
Additionally, the American Pregnancy Association agrees that this treatment is safe. Plus, no research indicates that chiropractic evaluation and treatment during pregnancy presents health risks to the expectant woman or her fetus. So, there’s no need to worry.
Chiropractic care during pregnancy may help pregnant women in several ways including:
It’s not uncommon for women to experience complications during delivery as a result of a misaligned pelvis, which makes it difficult for the fetus to move. Remember your pelvis changes in shape and size during pregnancy. Regular chiropractic adjustments during pregnancy have been shown to help reduce labor and delivery time. This is because chiropractic care ensures the proper alignment of your spine, pelvis, and hips, thereby alleviating pelvic pain and making it easier for the fetus to find the right position to be born.
Chiropractic care focuses on realigning your spine and soothing the muscles, ligaments, and spinal nerves that change as your body grows during pregnancy. As a result, it improves overall nervous system function, which then helps ease nausea and reduce vomiting during pregnancy.
Many women experience a lot of back pain throughout the pregnancy period due to the production of a hormone called relaxin. Relaxin is the hormone responsible for relaxing and loosening the joints and ligaments in a pregnant woman’s pelvic area. The softening and elongation of the connective tissues around your pelvic area are what cause pain and instability in your spine.
Chiropractic adjustments have been shown to relieve nerve pressure from the spine, mid-back, neck, and other parts of the body. They can also help re-establish balance in your body.
