Why it is Essential to be Under Chiropractic Care During Pregnancy
Chiropractic care during pregnancy can provide benefits for both mother and baby. In one study conducted by Irvin Hendryson, M.D., a member of the American Medical Association board of trustees, it was shown that women who receive chiropractic adjustments in their third trimester of pregnancy were able to carry and deliver children with more comfort. (1) In another study, conducted by well-known orthopedist Per Freitag, M.D., carried out in a hospital study that incorporated chiropractic adjustments during the patient’s pregnancy. He found that the need for pain killers during delivery was reduced by half. (2)
What appears clear from the studies is that chiropractic care can help you and your baby achieve a healthier pregnancy and delivery. It is gentle and safe. The health benefits have been demonstrated in many clinical studies.
What are the Benefits of Chiropractic Care During Pregnancy?
Potential benefits of chiropractic care during pregnancy include:
Maintaining a healthier pregnancy
Reducing the time of labor and delivery
Relieving back, neck or joint pain
Preventing a potential cesarean delivery
Chiropractic Care During Pregnancy: Safety and Benefits
Chiropractic care is health maintenance of the spinal column, discs, related nerves and bone geometry without drugs or surgery. It involves the art and science of adjusting misaligned joints of the body, especially of the spine, which reduces spinal nerve stress and therefore promotes health throughout the body.
While all licensed chiropractors receive training as it relates to pregnancy, some chiropractors like us specialize in prenatal care and chiropractic for children. Specifically, the Chiropractic Center at Styertowne specializes in the Webster Technique, a specific chiropractic adjustment which reduces interference to the nervous system, improving the function of the pelvic muscles and ligaments leading to the reduction of constraint of the woman’s uterus. This allows the baby the best opportunity to be positioned for a for a healthy birth.
Women Have Special Needs During Pregnancy
During pregnancy many physiological and endocrinological changes take place, all for the purpose of creating an optimal environment for the developing baby. (4)
This complex process involves every system of the pregnant woman’s body. The musculoskeletal systems are affected by the protruding abdomen, duck-like walk, and increased lower back curve. The pelvis changes early in pregnancy due to the release of estrogen and/or relaxin.
These hormones cause the ligaments to relax and soften, which together with increased synovial fluid widens the pelvic joint. (5) This increased mobility is not restricted to the pelvis only, but may be noticed in other joints and muscles as well. As the uterus enlarges and expands forward, the center of gravity in displaced. Subluxations of the spine may occur, and this results in associated muscle cramps and nerve pain. (7)
This change in posture puts more strain on the lower back and pelvis, which may result in lower back pain. Fifty percent of all women complain of low back pain during pregnancy. (2,6,7)
Subluxations of the neck may be caused as it compensates for the changes in the lower spine by moving forward. This can potentially result in various symptoms, including headaches, nausea, or insomnia.
When Should You Be Checked for Subluxations?
The best time to be checked for subluxations is before you would like to become pregnant. This will ensure proper pelvic and spinal alignment. If you are already pregnant, chiropractic adjustments can be given throughout your pregnancy and directly after your labor and delivery. If you're in Clifton, Montclair or Passaic, don't wait! Call Dr. Lou and get the checkup that can make a difference to you and your baby.
References
American Medical Association records released in 1987 during trial in U.S. District Court Northern Illinois Eastern Division, No 76 C 3777.
Berg, G., Hammer, M., Moeller-Neielson, J.: Lower Back Pain During Pregnancy, Obstetric Gynecology 1988; 71:701-775.
Freitag, Per: Expert testimony of Pertag, M.D., Ph.D., comparing the results of two neighboring hospital, U.S. District Court of
Northern Illinois Eastern Division, No. 76 C 3777, May 1987.
Greenhil, J.P.: Obstetrics, ed. 13, Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders, 1965; p. 183.
Hyttan, F.E., Chamberlain, G., eds.: Clinical Physiology in Obstetrics. Oxford: Blackwell Scientific, 1980.
Mantle, M.J., Greenwood, R.M., Currey, H.L.: Backache in Pregnancy. Rheumataol. Rehabil., 1977; 16:95-101.
Peet, J.B.: Chiropractic Pediatric & Prenatal Reference Manual. The Baby Adjusters, Inc. 1992.