Chiropractic Care During Pregnancy--How It Can Help Both You And Your Child
For those who've never experienced a chiropractic adjustment, the process often involves the application of quick, targeted pressure on your spine. This is done to physically position components of your spine into proper alignment--causing a variety of health benefits. Usually, the procedure is completed on a specialized table or chair which allows the chiropractor to have the best position from which to complete the adjustment.
But, is it worth the hassle if you are pregnant? After all, many typical pregnancy symptoms make it difficult to manage simple daily tasks. A trip to the chiropractor might seem like an unnecessary burden to a typical pregnant woman. In order to answer this question for yourself, it's important to first understand how chiropractic care can impact your child.
Can Chiropractic Care During Pregnancy Harm Your Child?
Pregnancy is a time when anxiety and worry are the norm. It's natural for you to feel extremely concerned about the health and viability of your unborn child. As a result, you might avoid foods and activities that they would normally not think twice about--including chiropractic care.
The good news is that there is no cause for worry. Chiropractors are able to accommodate pregnant women easily and effectively. Many offices have specialized tables to eliminate pressure on the abdomen. There are also specialized techniques that some chiropractors are trained in that can adjust your spine in ways that don't disturb your child. That said, before beginning a course of treatment, it's always a good idea to discuss both equipment and training with your chiropractor.
In spite of all this, it's important for you to work with your obstetrician when developing a course of treatment with your chiropractor. Some pregnancy complications and specific situations aren't conducive to chiropractic care. However, under most normal circumstances, the go-ahead for chiropractic care is a given.
How Does Chiropractic Care Help Expecting Mothers?
During the pregnancy term, the human body releases a high dose of a hormone called Relaxin. The purpose of this hormone is, quite simply, to relax the joints and muscles in the pelvis and lower back--an obvious necessity for the process of childbirth. By the time you are 38 weeks pregnant, the amount of Relaxin in your body is significantly higher than under normal circumstances.
When Relaxin reaches these levels in your body, it creates a number of side effects. These include:
- Stretchier, more injury-prone ligaments
- Altered pelvic alignment
- Poor posture
- Limber joints--particularly in the hips and lower back
All of these side effects can cause problems for your spinal health. Balance, gait, and posture can all impact the alignment of your spine when they aren't working properly. Also, limber joints create the opportunity for alignment issues in the lower spine and pelvis--which can be counteracted with chiropractic adjustments. With regular chiropractic care, you can mitigate these issues, creating greater mobility and enhanced comfort.
On top of these benefits, some chiropractors claim that regular chiropractic adjustments can even reduce the chance of a miscarriage. On top of that, the methods used by chiropractors to align a woman's pelvis have been adapted into what is known as the Webster Technique, a process by which babies that are in a breech position can be turned naturally. So, it's not at all uncommon for expert chiropractic care to benefit both mother and baby in the critical last weeks of a pregnancy.
If you are a regular user of chiropractic services, your pregnancy doesn't have to signal the end of that. More importantly, if you're pregnant and unfamiliar with the benefits of chiropractic care, there is no time like the present to begin an investigation. Your body, and the body of your unborn child, will likely benefit if you do.
Talk to a local chiropractor, such as Dr. Jason B Kaster DC, for more information.
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