There are many health benefits to chiropractic whether you are expecting or not. So, is seeing a chiropractor recommended if you are pregnant? The answer is a resounding YES! Pregnancy takes quite a toll on a woman’s body. Many women often believe that back pain is just a part of pregnancy. This need not be the case. This article will answer some of the more common questions asked about chiropractic care for pregnant women.

Is it safe?

Yes. Chiropractic is no more dangerous while pregnant than any other time in life. There are no known contraindications or dangers of chiropractic care throughout the course of pregnancy. Also, the chiropractic tables in most chiropractic offices can be adjusted to accommodate pregnant women and will avoid placing unnecessary pressure on the belly. The American Pregnancy Association recommends chiropractic care during pregnancy. Don’t be afraid to ask your current chiropractor or a new chiropractor you’ve found if they work with pregnant women. Not all do and not all are well equipped to do so. It is advisable to let your chiropractor know before the first visit that you are pregnant. The doctor will tell you if he or she is familiar with working with pregnant women, or if they are comfortable doing so.

Isn’t low back pain a natural part of pregnancy?

Low back pain is not a “normal” part of pregnancy. The pain is often a result of the physical changes happening to your body as your body goes through much repositioning during pregnancy. The postural changes that occur are often the cause of the “typical” pregnancy low back pain that many women talk about. The abdomen grows bigger resulting in an increased low back curve, the pelvis tilts and repositions, and your posture changes to accommodate the weight of the belly. All of these changes often result in joint pain in the spine and pelvis. These often make for, or contribute to, discomfort and lost sleep. This misalignment of the pelvis affects the baby as well, possibly allowing for less room in the pelvis during the pregnancy or a bad position for the baby during the birthing process. Allowing the baby optimal room in the pelvis may reduce the chances of needing to have a cesarean section birth.

I don’t have low back pain, should I still see a chiropractor?

The answer is still yes. Chiropractic can help with much more than just back pain. The nerves that feed everything in your body come out of your spine. This includes the nerves to the womb and the baby. Keeping the nerves free from interference with chiropractic adjustments will allow your body to function at an optimal level, which includes the development of the baby in the womb. Many women have also found that chiropractic care while pregnant helped reduce nausea, another “typical” part of pregnancy. Women also report fewer headaches and neck/upper back pain, better sleep, and less numbness and tingling in the hands and feet, which some women also experience.

Why do I have joint (knee, shoulder etc.) pain since I got pregnant?

When a woman gets pregnant, there are hormonal changes that affect all her joints. The hormones that are produced during pregnancy to loosen and soften the joints of the pelvis work on all the other joints in the body as well. The hormones cannot distinguish between a joint in the pelvis and a knee joint. This softening and loosening of the joints can cause joint pain and problems all over the body. The lax joints may cause them to slip out of place more easily. These joints may need to be adjusted along with the spine.  Chiropractic is a non-invasive and natural way to help achieve better health for you and your baby.

For more information about chiropractic, or chiropractic while pregnant, please call me at (508) 235-1050 or email me at dr.jamie@ValcourtChiropractic.com