Prenatal chiropractic is a specialized branch of chiropractic that focuses on the needs of pregnant women. Chiropractors who specialize in prenatal care help expectant mothers address common aches and pains they experience during pregnancy, as well as any extra stressors their bodies might be under due to the added demands of carrying another human being.
A study conducted by Midwifery Council New Zealand found that almost half of all pregnancies are accompanied by back pain and pelvic pain, with most women reporting these pains as moderate to severe, which often goes undetected until after giving birth. Prenatal chiropractic can be a safe and effective way for expecting moms to get relief from common aches and pains. In this article we’ll review what prenatal chiropractic care involves and if it’s right for you.
Types of Prenatal Chiropractic Care
There are four types of chiropractic care for pregnant mothers: prenatal, postnatal and lactation, pediatric, and family (prenatal care for children). Prenatal care is most common during the first and third trimesters. Prenatal chiropractics focus on relieving the unique pain associated with pregnancy. They also help to align the pelvis so that there are less risks for aches and pains in this area.
Postnatal chiropractor makes adjustments to the spine after birth to help it heal from the stresses of carrying a baby. The adjustments also help relieve any back pain or pelvic pain that may have been present before pregnancy as well. Lactation chiropractors offer support by helping moms with breast feeding problems as well as soreness caused by a milk duct blockage.
Pediatric chiropractics work with treating children who have birthmarks, scoliosis, or other spinal issues. Family chiropractic is a branch of family medicine that takes care of all members in a family including children and adults with any type of back-related condition.
Why Get Prenatal Chiropractic Care?
There are many reasons why expectant mothers might want to seek out chiropractic treatment during the pregnancy. Prenatal care helps pregnant women address issues related to their back and pelvic pain. Chiropractors often recommend adjustments, massage therapy, and other non-invasive treatments to help alleviate these types of aches.
Prenatal chiropractic also provides relief from stressors that come with carrying a child. Some women experience more difficulty managing work-related stress, physical discomfort, or everyday tasks due to the extra weight they’re carrying. If you think you might be experiencing any of these symptoms during your pregnancy, it is worth consulting with a prenatal chiropractor today!
How Does Prenatal Chiropractic Work?
Prenatal chiropractic care is unique because the focus is on relieving pain in the lower back and pelvic region, which is common during pregnancy. The goal of prenatal chiropractic care is to help pregnant women avoid these pains altogether by relieving any tension or pressure that might be building up before it becomes a problem. Herniated discs and sciatica are also common during pregnancy, leading many pregnant women to seek relief through chiropractic adjustments.
A chiropractor will work with an expectant mother to determine what methods would work best for her, whether it’s a combination of adjustments and physical therapy or something else entirely. The type of care you receive depends on your symptoms and how your body reacts to treatment.
Potential Benefits of Prenatal Chiropractic Care
Many women who have visited a prenatal chiropractor say they experienced relief from back and pelvic pain. Chiropractic care may also be able to help with other common aches and pains, like sciatica, headaches, constipation, morning sickness, or carpal tunnel syndrome. Numerous studies have shown that chiropractic care is safe for pregnant women.
One study found that chiropractic spinal manipulation was not associated with adverse effects on pregnancy outcomes in healthy pregnant women without any preexisting spinal disorders. Another study found that the incidence of low birth weight decreased when pregnant mothers were treated by a chiropractor. This could mean that prenatal chiropractor treatment can help expectant mothers avoid complications during childbirth.
Is Prenatal Chiropractic Care Safe?
Prenatal chiropractic care is safe in the hands of a qualified chiropractor. They offer gentle adjustments and massages to help relieve stress on the back, neck, and pelvic region. The goal of prenatal chiropractic is to provide relief from common aches and pains that are more difficult for expecting moms to self-manage.
The adjustments are usually done gently and with care, which means there’s no need to worry about any potential side effects that might be associated with other types of chiropractic treatments such as spinal manipulation. In addition to relieving muscle tension, prenatal chiropractors also offer pregnancy massage therapy, which can relax expectant mothers while helping them feel less tension in their muscles.
Final Words
Prenatal chiropractic is a specialized branch of chiropractic care that helps pregnant women to relieve common aches and pains they experience during pregnancy. A study conducted by the Midwifery Council New Zealand found that almost half of all pregnancies are accompanied by back pain, pelvic pain, and other discomforts, which often go undetected until after giving birth. Prenatal chiropractic can be a safe and effective way for expecting moms to get relief from common aches and pains.