Chiropractic Care for Pregnant Women

Chiropractic care for pregnant women can relieve lower back and hip pain, mitigate the effects of headaches or migraines, and reduce stress. A full service chiropractor or specialized prenatal chiropractor can also offer considerable aid in reducing other forms of joint or neck pain with safe, non-invasive adjustments. Before reaching out to a chiropractor to discuss care options, it’s usually best to consult with your doctor to ensure that you’re receiving the best care possible. Many doctors and general practitioners can also assist in helping you find a chiropractor that suits your needs.

Chiropractic care for pregnant women primarily aims to reduce pain and provide relief for normal symptoms related to pregnancy. It isn’t a cure for specialized medical problems and can’t assist you in managing issues such as toxemia, placenta previa, placenta abruption, or vaginal bleeding. For most conditions associated with pregnancy, a medical doctor should generally be the first place you go to seek immediate care. However, a chiropractor can serve as a considerable aid or valuable addition to other forms of treatment to reduce the regular pains, cramping, and stress factors associated with pregnancy. 

What is Chiropractic Care?

Chiropractic care is the adjustment of the body’s joints, spinal column, soft tissue, and general musculoskeletal system. This form of care aims primarily to reduce pain without surgical methods, medication, or other forms of invasive treatment. Chiropractic care can assist anyone with back or neck pain, particularly if they are recovering from a recent injury. Individuals involved in a car accident frequently seek aid from a chiropractor to reduce symptoms of whiplash and other collision-generated injuries. 

A chiropractor specializing in offering care for pregnant women is called a prenatal chiropractor. However, almost all licensed chiropractors can assist pregnant women in reducing common lower back, hip, and pelvic pain associated with pregnancy. Chiropractors fully evaluate their patients’ current health and fitness levels to create a specialized treatment plan. Chiropractors offering care to pregnant women typically work within the treatment methods of the Webster Method to address issues that contribute to breech presentation and help to ensure a successful birth.  

Is Chiropractic Care Safe During Pregnancy?

Questions surrounding the safety of chiropractic care while pregnant are common, and in many cases, the answer varies from person to person. Chiropractic care for pregnant women does not involve surgical or invasive procedures and never places pressure on the abdomen. This form of care also completely avoids medications, which means there is little chance of chiropractic care creating adverse side effects for pregnant women. 

In short, chiropractic care is usually a safe treatment and care option during pregnancy. However, it’s always best to consult with a doctor before reaching out to a chiropractor, particularly if you are currently worried about the pain, stress, or discomfort that you’re presently experiencing. Chiropractic care isn’t a cure for severe medical conditions, so you’ll always want to have a doctor conduct a formal evaluation of your symptoms before turning to a chiropractor for assistance in reducing pain or stress. 

How Chiropractic Care Assists During Pregnancy

Chiropractic care primarily focuses on reducing pain in the lower back and hip regions, but it can also help with other normal effects related to pregnancy. As the baby continues to grow heavier, a mother’s center of gravity begins to shift slightly, to compensate for the additional weight. While this is, of course, entirely normal, it can have an effect on spinal positioning and posture, even after giving birth. Chiropractor care can assist in improving spinal and joint alignment while also reducing the impact of pelvic misalignment to improve birthing positions.

If chiropractic care seems like the right care option for helping you manage pain related to pregnancy, you may want to consider searching for a specialist in prenatal care, with the assistance of your doctor and the International Chiropractor’s Association. While there are plenty of ways to find care through a simple Google search, finding the specialized care you deserve often requires professional assistance.  

How Chiropractic Care Works

A full service chiropractor can assist patients with various treatment methods and care options, depending on the severity of their concerns. Some care options only require a single visit, while others may require repeat appointments. As mentioned above, all care options are non-surgical and non-invasive and never put you or your child at risk. 

Evaluation of Symptoms

Before beginning any form of chiropractic care, your chiropractor will review your current symptoms and health condition to rule out any serious issues that may require more specialized medical assistance. This evaluation process allows the chiropractor to create a specialized care routine, considerate to your current pain and stress. 

Adjustment and Spinal Manipulation

Adjustments are the basis for almost any chiropractic treatment plan. These careful, specialized movements of your joints and muscles go a long way in reducing pain, particularly for your back and neck. Spinal manipulation is the process by which a chiropractor can improve your posture, in both a seated and standing position. For short-term or single visit treatments, adjustments are usually the majority of the care process. 

Therapeutic Massage

Your chiropractor may recommend a massage treatment to reduce stress and general muscle discomfort. This care process is often limited to the shoulder and upper back area for pregnant women and administered from a seated position. 

Physical Therapy

While physical therapy usually applies to other situations requiring chiropractic care, it can be a long-term treatment option for managing pain and maintaining general mobility. Not every chiropractor offers physical therapy treatments- if you feel that it may be a good option for your symptoms or pain, call the prenatal care provider in advance of treatment, but after speaking with your general practitioner.