How can chiropractic help during pregnancy?
It has been reported that approximately 50% of all pregnant women experience back pain during pregnancy and 50-75% experience back pain during labour! Here at Chiro.London we think this is way too high. Chiropractic care is a safe and effective modality in aiding musculoskeletal conditions associated with pregnancy.
Chiropractors often help to alleviate common pregnancy-associated complaints including:
Mid and lower back pain
Pubis or groin pain
Pelvic imbalances
Neck and shoulder pain due to changing gravitational pulls, which may lead to headaches
Tailbone and surrounding ligament pain
Not only does chiropractic help to alleviate aches and pains, but we also aim to improve the movement and function of the pelvis and lower spine, to enable the baby to have enough room to move and grow throughout all stages of pregnancy.
As women progress to the later stages of pregnancy, chiropractors can help to ensure there is adequate space for the baby’s head to drop into within the pelvis. Did you know that an unbalanced pelvis can affect the shape of the pelvic outlet? The pelvic outlet is where bubs sits as he or she transitions through the birth canal. During birth it is imperative to have as much space as possible so the baby’s journey can be as safe as possible for both mum and bub.
Chiropractors can also provide guidance for the best exercises and stretches to practise at home during all stages of pregnancy, and even through labour and those tough contractions.
Some pregnancy dos and don’ts from a chiropractic perspective:
Dos
Get your pelvis checked by a chiropractor
Side-lying release, rebozo and forward-leaning inversion (see this site for details or feel free to ask me!)
Prenatal specific massages
Acupuncture, yoga and pilates
Pelvic rocking and figure 8s
Stretch your pelvic muscles, including psoas muscle
Sit with your pelvis tilted forward wherever possible
Don’ts:
Avoid crossing legs, wearing high heels or sitting in recliner chairs
Avoid carrying toddlers on one hip
Avoid constrictive bras that put too much pressure on the expanding rib cage
Try and avoid sustained sitting – get up and move around as much as you can
References: Borggren CL, 2007. Pregnancy and chiropractic: a narrative review of the literature. J Chiropr Med. 6 (2): 70-74. Diakow PR, Gadsby TA, Gadsby JB, Gleddie JG, Leprich DJ, Scales AM. 1991. Back pain during pregnancy and labor. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. Feb;14(2):116-8. PubMed PMID.