Pregnancy Chiropractic: 7+ Facts Uncovered
It’s no secret that pregnancy can be tough on a woman’s body. From the expanding waistline to the added weight and stress on the back and spine, pregnancy can take its toll in a variety of ways. So it’s no surprise that many pregnant women seek out chiropractic care in an effort to find relief from some of pregnancy’s common discomforts.
But is pregnancy chiropractic really a safe and effective option? There is a lot of debate surrounding pregnancy chiropractic – is it really a thing? Some people swear by it, while others think it’s nothing more than a placebo. Some say it can be harmful, while others claim it’s perfectly safe.
So, what’s the truth, really? Is pregnancy chiropractic really a viable option for pregnant women? In this blog post, we will take a closer look at pregnancy chiropractic and determine whether or not it’s worth considering for pregnant women.
The Pregnancy Struggle
Pregnancy is a beautiful time in a woman’s life, but it can also be a difficult one. As your belly grows, your center of gravity shifts, and you start to experience additional weight and stress on your back and spine. This can lead to all sorts of pregnancy-related discomforts.
Complications and pain our mothers-to-be experience can include:
- Lower back pain is a pregnancy discomfort that 80% of women will experience at some point during their pregnancy.
- 50% – 70% of pregnant women experience sciatica, which is a sharp pain that radiates down the back and legs.
- Carpal tunnel syndrome is another common pregnancy complaint, affecting up to 30% of pregnant women. This condition is caused by the compression of the median nerve in the wrist and can lead to tingling, numbness, and weakness in the hands.
- Headaches are also a pregnancy pain that many women experience. In fact, studies have shown that pregnancy headaches are just as common as migraines.
- Pregnancy is also a time when many women experience joint pain and stiffness. This is due to the hormone relaxin, which is released during pregnancy in order to help the ligaments and joints stretch and accommodate the growing baby.
All of these pregnancy-related pains and discomforts can make it difficult for expectant mothers to get a good night’s sleep, enjoy their pregnancy, or even perform simple everyday tasks. Chiropractic care is often sought out by pregnant women as a way to find relief from these pregnancy-related discomforts. But before we get into whether or not pregnancy chiropractic is an effective treatment option, let’s first take a look at how it works.
How Pregnancy Chiropractic Works
Pregnancy chiropractic is a branch of chiropractic care that is specifically tailored to meet the needs of pregnant women. Just as with traditional chiropractic care, pregnancy chiropractic focuses on treating the musculoskeletal system, with the goal of reducing pain and improving overall function.
One of the main ways pregnancy chiropractors achieve this is through adjustments. Adjustments are gentle manipulations of the joints and spine that are designed to correct alignment issues and restore proper range of motion. For pregnant women, these adjustments can help to relieve lower back pain, sciatica, joint pain, and headaches.
Another common treatment method used in pregnancy chiropractic is called the Webster technique. This technique is specifically designed to balance the pelvis and reduce intrauterine constraints, which can help to improve pregnancy outcomes.
Pregnancy chiropractic care is often used in conjunction with other pregnancy-specific therapies, such as massage, acupuncture, and physiotherapy. When these therapies are combined, they can provide expectant mothers with much-needed relief from pregnancy-related discomforts.
The Safety of Pregnancy Chiropractic
One of the main concerns pregnant women have about pregnancy chiropractic is whether or not it is safe. Chiropractic care is generally considered to be a safe and effective treatment option for pregnant women, as long as it is performed by a qualified and experienced pregnancy chiropractor.
Pregnancy chiropractors undergo a specialized training that equips them with the knowledge and skills necessary to safely and effectively treat pregnant women. When pregnancy chiropractic care is performed by a qualified provider, the risks are minimal. In fact, many pregnancy chiropractors believe that the benefits of pregnancy chiropractic care outweigh the risks.
Pregnancy chiropractic care has been shown to be an effective treatment option for relieving lower back pain, sciatica, joint pain, headaches, and other pregnancy-related discomforts. Additionally, pregnancy chiropractic care can also help to improve pregnancy outcomes by reducing intrauterine constraints and balancing the pelvis.
The Benefits of Pregnancy Chiropractic
Pregnancy is a time of great change, both physically and emotionally. Many women find pregnancy to be an enjoyable and empowering experience. However, pregnancy often brings about discomfort. Here’s where pregnancy chiropractic care comes in to help alleviate some of those issues.
Chiropractic care can ease pregnancy nausea.
The spinal cord and spinal nerves, which chiropractors focus on during care, are part of a person’s nervous system. Consequently, regular chiropractic care has the potential to improve how well one’s nervous system functions as a whole and could lessen nausea symptoms.
Chiropractic care can help reposition the baby and has the potential to improve pregnancy outcomes.
Intrauterine constraint is when the baby is positioned in a way that doesn’t allow them to move as freely as it should. This can cause pregnancy-related pain and discomfort. A study published in The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that chiropractic adjustments may result in shorter labors, fewer interventions such as vacuum extractions or forceps, and a reduction in epidural requests.
Chiropractic care can help with postpartum pain.
Just like pregnancy, labor and delivery, and the fourth trimester can come with their own set of discomforts. A study published in The Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics found that women who received chiropractic care during pregnancy were more likely to report less postpartum pain, both two days and six weeks after giving birth.
Answers to some Pregnancy Chiropractic Misconceptions
Despite the many benefits of pregnancy chiropractic care, there are still some misconceptions about this type of care. Let’s take a look at some of the most common pregnancy chiropractic misconceptions and set the record straight.
- It is dangerous.
As we mentioned earlier, pregnancy chiropractic care is generally considered to be safe when it is performed by a qualified and experienced pregnancy chiropractor. In fact, many pregnancy chiropractors believe that the benefits of pregnancy chiropractic care outweigh the risks.
- This will hurt my baby.
There is no evidence to suggest that pregnancy chiropractic care is harmful to babies in any way. In fact, pregnancy chiropractic care has been shown to be beneficial for both mothers and babies.
Pregnancy chiropractic is only for back pain. While pregnancy chiropractic care can be effective in treating back pain, it can also help to relieve other pregnancy-related discomforts, such as sciatica, joint pain, headaches, and more.
- I don’t need a pregnancy chiropractor if I’m not in pain.
Pregnancy chiropractic care is not just for women who are experiencing pain. This type of care can also help to improve pregnancy outcomes by reducing intrauterine constraints and balancing the pelvis.
Studies Associated with Pregnancy Chiropractic
A number of research and studies further support the safety and effectiveness of this type of care. A paper published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics found that pregnancy chiropractic care was an effective treatment option for reducing lower back pain during pregnancy.
Another study published in the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine found that pregnancy chiropractic care was an effective treatment option for reducing headaches during pregnancy.
The Cons
While pregnancy chiropractic care can offer many benefits, there are also some potential drawbacks that expectant mothers should be aware of.
The Cost
One of the main potential drawbacks of pregnancy chiropractic care is the cost. Chiropractic care is generally not covered by health insurance, so pregnant women who are interested in this treatment option will need to pay for it out of pocket. The cost of pregnancy chiropractic care will vary depending on the number of sessions required and the specific provider chosen.
It May Not Be for Everyone
Additionally, pregnancy chiropractic care is not right for every expectant mother. Some women may not be candidates for this type of care due to underlying health conditions or other factors. It’s important to speak with your healthcare provider to determine if pregnancy chiropractic care is right for you.
Generally, chiropractic care for pregnant women is a safe and effective treatment option. However, it’s important to weigh the potential benefits and drawbacks before making a decision about whether or not this type of care is right for you.
So, Is Pregnancy Chiropractic Really Possible?
Yes, it is really possible and it can offer many benefits for expectant mothers. This type of care can help to reduce pain, improve pregnancy outcomes, and more. However, it’s important to speak with your healthcare provider to determine if this type of care is right for you and if it is a great option for you!
