According to research, there are around 70,000 chiropractors in the U.S. That is a clear indication that chiropractic care is quite common in the U.S. It involves the manual manipulation of the spine vertebrae and other joints to properly align the body’s musculoskeletal structure. The conditions that chiropractors treat through this kind of manipulation include back pain, sprains, arthritis pain, and neck pain. Some pregnant women also go to chiropractors whenever they experience back pain. Below are more details on chiropractic care during pregnancy.
Is It Safe for Pregnant Women to Receive Chiropractic Care?
According to research, it is safe for pregnant women to receive chiropractic care. You should, however, not go for such kind of treatment if you are experiencing:
- Severe or moderate toxemia
- Placenta abruption
- Vaginal bleeding
- Ectopic pregnancy
Before receiving prenatal chiropractic care, you should check the chiropractor’s credentials and their clinic. You should only deal with experienced and qualified chiropractors working in a good chiropractic clinic. You should also check the equipment that the chiropractor uses during chiropractic treatment. If possible, you should request this doctor to use special equipment when treating you. For instance, they should use a special table and special cushioning.
How Chiropractic Care Will Help You During Pregnancy
Just like some pregnant women, you may experience lower back pain, round ligament pain, or joint discomfort when pregnant. These symptoms are usually associated with the shifting of the spine as the baby is growing. Your nervous and musculoskeletal systems will likely get stressed due to this, making you experience pain in different areas.
When you go to a chiropractor’s office, the chiropractor will examine your body to determine your medical needs. These needs will help them come up with a chiropractic treatment plan that will help relieve your pain. Some of the treatments that the chiropractor might use include:
- Manual manipulation
- Hands-on therapy
- Therapeutic exercise programs
- Self-management techniques
- The chiropractor will also advise you on what to do to reduce the pain
The Benefits You Will Experience After Receiving Prenatal Chiropractic Care
Many women experience back pain when they are pregnant. This pain is usually associated with the loosening of ligaments and joints in preparation for labor. As a result, your pelvis and lower back will become painful. When you go for chiropractic care, your chiropractor will perform routine spinal manipulation, relieving the back pain.
Chiropractic care will also help reduce nausea and constipation. This kind of treatment focuses on spinal realignment to make the nervous system function better. Hormonal balance is achieved as a result of this, hence reducing nausea. Spinal adjustments will also help improve the digestive issues associated with prenatal constipation. Below are other benefits you will experience after receiving prenatal chiropractic care.
Improved Pelvic Balance and Smoother Delivery
If you are worried that your baby may stay in the breech position even when you are laboring, you should go for prenatal chiropractic care. This type of care will help maintain pelvic balance throughout your pregnancy. As a result, your unborn baby will be able to move freely from the breech position into the pre-birth position ahead of labor.
The regular adjustments that your chiropractor will make will also keep your spine, pelvis, and hips in a proper position. As a result, you will have an easy time when giving birth. These adjustments may also help your nerves to function better, helping you control contractions easily when giving birth.
Posture Support and Injury Avoidance
Many changes occur during pregnancy. These changes can make you suffer from muscle stress injuries, especially if you are not adapting to your changing body. Prenatal chiropractic care will help you adapt to your changing body and hence avoid muscle stress injuries.
When you go for prenatal chiropractic care, a chiropractor will also help you learn more about posture support. This doctor will teach you how to keep your back straight when sitting or lying down. All this will help you avoid prenatal back pain. If you do not learn how to keep your back straight during pregnancy, you may end up suffering from long-term lower back pain and injury.
It is safe for pregnant women to receive prenatal chiropractic care from qualified and experienced chiropractors. This type of care will help you avoid muscle stress injuries and have a smooth child delivery. It will also help alleviate pregnancy-related symptoms such as nausea and back pain.
