Pregnancy & Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic care during pregnancy can be beneficial to both the mother and her baby and it is a safe and effective way to manage pain and discomfort during pregnancy.
During pregnancy our bodies undergo several normal biomechanical changes, including a shift in our center of gravity, an increase in the natural curve in our low backs, ligament laxity in our low back and pelvic region, postural changes, and altered movement and/or walking patterns. These changes can result in discomfort and pain during pregnancy and labor. Many of the musculoskeletal conditions and their symptoms that are caused by these changes can be managed and improved with chiropractic care.
Five common conditions that pregnancy can lead to are:
1. Low Back Pain
Low back pain during pregnancy is caused by increased stress on the lower portion of the spine and a forward shift in the mother’s center of gravity. Our bodies will compensate by increasing muscle tightness and altering our movement and/or walking patterns, which also contributes to low back pain. Low back pain during pregnancy can range from mild to severe and it is also quite common postpartum.
2. Sciatic Nerve Pain
Increased tightness and/or spasms in the muscles in our buttocks can irritate or compress the sciatic nerve during pregnancy. This can result in local pain in the buttocks or radiating pain into the hip and leg.
3. Sacroiliac Pain (SI Joint Pain)
Ligament laxity, caused by hormonal changes during pregnancy, can cause the sacroiliac joints (SI joints), which are weight bearing joints to move and shift more easily. This increased movement puts stress on the surrounding ligaments and muscles, which can cause local pain over these joints.
4. Pubic Symphysis Pain
Again, ligament laxity causes the ligaments stabilizing the pubic symphysis joint to relax, which can cause the joint to move and separate. This condition can cause pain or a burning sensation over the pubic symphysis and it could limit your mobility.
5. Round Ligament Pain
The round ligaments of the uterus contain contractile fibers. As the uterus grows, the round ligaments stretch and as they become stretched, they can cause sharp pain on either side of the abdomen or at the attachment sites near the pubic bones.
Source:
Webster Technique
The Webster Technique is a specific and gentle chiropractic analysis and adjustment that reduces interference to the nerve system and balances maternal pelvic muscles and ligaments. This in turn reduces torsion in the uterus and allows for optimal fetal positioning in preparation for birth. For more information on the Webster Technique please visit:
https://icpa4kids.com/training/webster-certification/webster-technique/