Should You Have Chiropractic Care During Your Pregnancy?

Yes. Because 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. Click to speak with Dr. Lou Schimmel, your Montclair chiropractor who specializes in pregnancy chiropractic... 

Or keep reading to see real studies on the power of chiropractic before, during and after pregnancy.

In one of the studies, 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

Also, well-known orthopedist Per Freitag, M.D., conducted 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.3

What Is A Chiropractic Adjustment?

Vertebrae (the bones in your break) fit together so that the nerve supply produced in your brain may filter down your spinal cord and out over your nerves. This nerve supply is responsible for growth, repair, and healing in your entire body.

When vertebrae are out of their natural alignment, nerves become stretched or twisted (commonly referred to as a nerve “pinch”), and this vital communication system in the body is disrupted.

This neurological disturbance is called a subluxation, and it may result in the failure of one or more parts of the body, as well as health in general. Subluxation can also foster the onset of sickness and disease as the body weakens.

Not to worry.  Chiropractors specialize in the detection and correction of subluxations. Instead of treating the symptoms of the disease, your chiropractor corrects the subluxation so that normal body functions may take place. This is done by laying hands on your back and gently lining up the vertebrae in their natural position.

This process may take weeks or months, depending on the amount of misalignment. Normal structure and function may then be restored throughout the body, and healing can take place. As your body heals, the symptoms begin to diminish.

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 results 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 Montclair, don't wait, call Dr. Lou and get the checkup that 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.