Pregnancy & Chiropractic
What is Chiropractic Care?
Chiropractic is a natural method of health
care that treats the causes of physical problems rather than
just the symptoms. Chiropractic is based on a simple but powerful
premise: With a healthy lifestyle and normally functioning
spine, joints, and nerves, your body is better able to heal
itself. That’s because the spinal cord, which is protected
by the spine, is the main pathway to your nervous system.
It controls movement, feeling, and function throughout your
body.
Your chiropractor has at least 6 years of professional
training in the sciences and health care, including prenatal
care, leading to a doctor or Chiropractic (DC) degree. He
or she works to maintain your health and guides you in a personalized
approach to wellness during and after your pregnancy.
What Causes Back and Leg Pain During Pregnancy?
During pregnancy, the increasing weight and
size of the baby put stress on the spine’s three natural
curves. As a result, changes in posture occur that can cause
pain in your back or legs.
Increased Stress on Your Spine
As your baby grows, you carry more and more
weight in front of you. This stretches your abdominal muscles.
When you stand, the baby pulls down on the thoracic curve
(middle back) and forward on the lumbar curve (lower back).
The larger the baby grows, the more exaggerated these curves
become. This puts pressure on the joints in the spine. It
may also put pressure on the nerves, causing pain. The sciatic
nerve can also become irritated, causing pain in your legs.
At the same time, joints in the pelvis loosen. This helps
prepare you for delivery, but it can also irritate nerves
in the spine.
How Can Chiropractic Care Help?
Chiropractic care is a natural way to treat
back pain during and after pregnancy. Your doctor of chiropractic
is specially trained to determine the best treatment for your
own needs.
History and Physical Exam
You and your chiropractor will discuss your
symptoms, if any, and your lifestyle. Gentle physical orthopedic
(bone and muscle), and neurological (nerve) tests help reveal
the condition of your spine. Gently pressing on the spine
helps check for tenderness, pain, swelling, and restricted
range of motion. These tests are safe for the baby and the
pregnant mother.
Spinal Adjustments
Special chiropractic methods, called adjustments,
can help relieve your back and leg pain. Adjustments cause
no harm to the baby and are safe up until delivery. During
an adjustment, your chiropractor gently presses on joints
in the spine. This relieves pressure on nerves and restores
motion and alignment.
Related Treatment
Your chiropractor may suggest other types of
treatment to improve your posture and relieve your back or
leg pain. These may include ice or heat, massage, or gentile
stretching exercises. Your chiropractor can discuss these
with you.
What Can I Do To Ease Back and Leg Pain?
Along with spinal adjustments, maintaining
good posture, moving safely, exercising regularly, and eating
right can help reduce stress on your spine and relive pain.
Practice Good Posture
Good posture reduces stress in the joints,
nerves and muscles in your back. Keep your head and shoulders
centered over your hips. When you sit, keep your knees level
with your kips. To lift, bend at the hips and knees, not the
waist. Then lift with your legs. To reach, turn your whole
body, not just your head and neck.
Do Exercises For Your Back
Gentle exercises can help reduce back pain
by increasing the flexibility of your spine. Your chiropractor
can help you design an exercise program fir your needs. Be
sure to do each exercise exactly as directed by your chiropractor.
Why Are Regular Spinal Checkups Important?
Even if you don’t heave back pain,
having regular spinal checkups is one of the best ways to
help prevent back pain during and after pregnancy. Giving
birth is stressful on the spine. The extra bending and lifting
you do as you care for your baby puts added stress on the
spine, too. Your chiropractor can help you and your family
manage or prevent spinal problems and maintain healthier lives.
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