Chiropractic gives pregnant women pain relief!

Moms-to-be once resigned themselves to nine months of misery. But that does not have to be the case! More women are exploring options and seeking alternatives to ease back pain, headaches, exhaustion and much more. One of the greatest ways to treat these problems is through chiropractic.

During pregnancy many physiological and endocrinological changes take place, all for the purpose of creating an optimal environment for the developing baby. This complex process involves every system of the pregnant woman’s body.

During pregnancy, most women experience a number of neuromuscular and biochemical problems which respond favorably to gentle, safe, noninvasive chiropractic care. These include:

• release of the hormone relaxin causes muscle and ligament relaxation

• allows joints to more easily misalign

• increased weight gain

• increased demand and fatigue on spinal and pelvic muscles

• increased stress on spinal and pelvic ligaments

• increase in lumbar and thoracic spinal curves which further increase the above

• increased joint stress and thus occurrence of vertebral and sacroiliac joint misalignments

• change in weight distribution

The above changes primarily affect the pelvic and spinal ligaments, muscles, joints and other supportive soft tissues. These changes cause sprain/strains of pelvic and spinal structures, as well as alteration of the normal spinal curvatures and spinal biomechanics. The result is an increased stress on the body leading to pain and discomfort.

"As your baby descends into your pelvic cavity, you may feel sharp, stabbing pains at the base of your spine or in the middle of your pelvic bone, making uncomfortable twinges of pins and needles in the cervix itself. Pain may radiate down your back or thighs. The increased pelvic pains are likely due to the relaxation and stretching of your pelvic ligaments in preparation for labor. You can ease these discomforts by changing positions. Exercise gently every day. If you cannot exercise without pain, consult your doctor. He or she may be able to recommend a chiropractor experienced in working on pregnant bodies, who may be able to give you some gentle pelvic adjustments to get your hips back in balance. It is our personal theory that chiropractic care in pregnancy can help to avoid or relieve back pain and also prepare your back and pelvic structures the stresses of labor and birth." (Sears & Sears, 1997)

Pregnant women are not supposed to take any type of drugs during the gestation period, because everything mom ingests goes to baby as well and there can be side effect... so what can a mom to be do? Go to the chiropractor! Find a local chiropractor that specializes in pregnancy chiropractic and get relief!