Chiropractic for Pregnancy?

many women use chiropractic care throughout their pregnancy

The physical stress of pregnancy can lead to a great deal of discomfort. It's common for women in El Cerrito to visit a chiropractic office regularly for low back pain, as well as other related issues, such as sciatica, leg cramps and constipation. This can lead to difficulty performing daily tasks as well as difficulties in labor.

Chiropractic treatment for pregnancy can be an outstanding source of relief for back pain. Many women also comment that the birthing process was easier after having undergone chiropractic treatments. The following article takes a more in-depth look at the discomfort caused by pregnancy and explains exactly how chiropractic treatment can help.


Why Do I Need Chiropractic Pregnancy Care?

As the baby grows and the body prepares for birth, the protruding abdomen increases the curve in the back. The pelvic ligaments gradually loosen and the woman's posture adapts in response to these changes. The pelvis can become misaligned and affect the ability to deliver without medical interventions. Spinal alignment also affects the entire nervous system, which can interfere with body functions like digestion and the process of labor. Chiropractic can help prevent or lessen many of these problems.


Are Chiropractic Treatments Safe During Pregnancy?

Drug and surgery-free, chiropractic treatment is both a safe and effective option for women throughout all stages of their pregnancy. In working on pregnant women, chiropractors avoid applying pressure on the abdomen and use adjustable tables to accommodate their expanding bellies. Women suffering certain pregnancy complications, such as vaginal bleeding or premature labor, may be advised not to have chiropractic adjustments and should consult their obstetricians first.


What Are the Benefits of Chiropractic Pregnancy Care?

In the early stages of pregnancy, chiropractic may be helpful in controlling symptoms of nausea. Correct spinal alignment allows the nervous system to work properly, which can help reduce morning sickness. Chiropractic can help relieve back, neck and joint pain, and keeping a balanced state in the pelvis may help prevent breech birth. As part of chiropractic pregnancy care, the doctor will teach patients exercises that stretch and strengthen muscles, helping to maintain overall health and promote an easier delivery.


Prenatal Chiropractic in El Cerrito

During pregnancy, a woman’s body is undergoing a number of different changes to accommodate the growing baby. As the baby grows, a mother’s center of gravity shifts to the front of her pelvis, resulting in added stress and discomfort in the lower back and the various joints of the pelvis. At the peak of pregnancy, resulting from the associated weight gain, the curve in the lower back (lordotic curve) can increase to the point of causing serious impact on the vertebral joints, the sacrum, and the hip joints.

The nerves that travel to all other parts of the body have their origin in the spine. When the spine is compressed, these nerves can become irritated causing the pain to radiate to other areas of the body. Sciatica is a condition commonly stimulated by pregnancy, involving pain that radiates from the lower back all the way down the legs.

If a previous issue exists with the alignment of the spine, and there has been a history of lower back problems, pregnancy will often aggravate the condition. Pregnancy can cause the spine to become misaligned to the point that it does not simply go back into place once the pregnancy is complete. This can make the tasks that become necessary once the child is born, such as carrying a baby on your front or back, breast-feeding, and bending over to lift and pick things up, painfully difficult.


Prenatal Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic practitioners can provide safe and effective personalized care throughout your pregnancy and in the postpartum period. A thorough examination will determine the best treatment to address your discomfort and prepare the body for the height of pregnancy and childbirth. There are specialized adjustment methods to accommodate pregnancy. These treatments may reduce the need for pain medications throughout the delivery as well as help to reduce labor time. Follow up treatments can assist in realigning the body after the pregnancy and speed up the transition to a healthy post-pregnancy body.

If you are curious about how chiropractic can help you with your pregnancy call our team at Smith Chiropractic today. We are here to help.

OFFICE HOURS


Monday
9:00am - 12:00pm
2:00pm - 5:00pm


Tuesday
Closed


Wednesday
9:00am - 12:00pm
2:00pm - 5:00pm


Thursday
9:00am - 12:00pm
2:00pm - 5:00pm


Friday
8:00am - 12:00pm


Saturday
Closed

Smith Chiropractic
6431 Fairmount Avenue #7
El Cerrito, CA 94530
(510) 528-0378