Guest blog by Dr. Brent Wells, D.C., a chiropractor and founder of Better Health Chiropractic & Physical Rehab.
If you’re pregnant or going through postpartum, you might be curious as to how you can get relief from some symptoms you might be having. If you are, you could consider checking out chiropractic care. This care will help to relieve stiffness and tension in the body and provide you with relief. Below you’ll find more information about chiropractic care and how a chiropractor can help you.
What is Chiropractic Care?
Chiropractic care is a type of holistic medical treatment that works to help keep your musculoskeletal system in balance. An experienced chiropractor will use various adjustments on your spine and bones to help release tension in certain areas. This can give you relief from numerous types of pain and even help you to be more flexible.
Do All Chiropractors Offer Pregnancy and Postnatal Care?
Most chiropractors are skilled in pregnancy and postnatal care, but there are a few who might not offer these services. On the other hand, there are chiropractors who specialize in pregnancy and postnatal care. Due to this, you’ll need to check carefully to see whether or not the chiropractor you’re interested in can help with this.
Is Chiropractic Care Safe to Use During Pregnancy and Postpartum?
While this type of care might sound promising, many are often a little skeptical as they are unsure if it is safe. The good news is this care is very safe.
Chiropractors are trained to help women who are currently pregnant or postpartum. They know how to move the body safely without putting pressure on the abdomen. They can also provide relief to the pelvic region which often suffers during this time. Because of this, chiropractic care is completely safe to use.
However, if you suffer from medical problems, such as vaginal bleeding and placental bleeding, chiropractic care isn’t always recommended. This is because it could worsen the problem resulting in a serious medical emergency. Because of this, make sure to visit your OB-GYN beforehand to ensure you aren’t suffering from these issues.
The Benefits of Using Chiropractic Care for Pregnancy and Postpartum
There are quite a few benefits that come with using chiropractic care for pregnancy and postpartum.
- It Stop Nausea
Nausea is a common problem when it comes to pregnancy and postpartum. This is because of the high levels of hormones in your body. A chiropractor can help to stop this by keeping your nervous system aligned which can calm these symptoms. They will do this by applying pressure to certain points on the body or doing adjustments.
- It Helps to Keep Your Posture Healthy
When you’re pregnant, your spine’s health will take a toll due to the heavy weight around your lower back and pelvic area. A chiropractor will feel around the spine’s lumbar system and adjust the areas they feel are inflamed or misaligned. By doing so, it can help to not only provide back pain relief, but help your posture significantly.
- It Keeps Your Pelvis Aligned
A misaligned pelvis can result in birth defects and even make giving birth very difficult. A chiropractor will work to keep your pelvis aligned which can lead to a faster and less intrusive birth.
- It Can Reduce Tension
While for many people, pregnancy is a time of happiness, it can also be very tense due to the side effects it can bring. Because of this, it can lead to severe tension in the body. Chiropractic care can help to reduce stress and tension resulting in you being happier and healthier.
Problems Pregnancy and Postpartum Can Cause
Pregnancy and postpartum can cause a few problems to your musculoskeletal system and other parts of your body.
- Hormone Fluctuations
Both pregnancy and postpartum can cause strange fluctuations in your hormones, such as progesterone and estrogen. In addition to these, during pregnancy your body creates a new hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). This hormone is formed in the placenta and helps to nourish the egg. While this helps you form a healthy baby, it can also affect your health. In fact, you could become very tired, irritated, and depressed due to it.
- Low Back Pain
You could also suffer from low back pain due to pregnancy and postpartum. This is a very common problem as your body is carrying a heavy load which puts strain on your spine. Once you’ve given birth, the strain on the spine can linger which can result in even more back pain.
- Pelvic Girdle Syndrome
Low back pain could also lead to pelvic girdle syndrome. This causes inflammation around the pelvic area which can lead to immobility and stiffness.
How Chiropractic Care Can Help
Thankfully, a chiropractor can help to relieve these symptoms in a few different ways. Below are some common methods your chiropractor might use to help you.
- Hip Adjustments
Your chiropractor might do hip adjustments by moving the hip bone around to help reduce inflammation. This will not only reduce the pain you might be having, but also make it easier for you to walk around.
- Neck/Head Adjustments
Headaches and nausea are common side effects of pregnancy and postpartum. A chiropractor can help to relieve these symptoms by doing neck and head adjustments. These adjustments can also release tension in the neck which can be caused by strain.
- Spinal Adjustments
A chiropractor might also do spinal adjustments to help with providing relief. They will gently move your spine to keep your lumbar system flexible and pain-free. Many will also use tools, such as an Activator Adjusting Instrument, to help wake the area up to prevent soreness and tension. Spinal adjustments will also work to stop any strain you might have in your back due to the baby you are or were carrying.
If you’re pregnant or going through postpartum, chiropractic care is a great alternative form of medicine to consider. It’s not only a safe and natural method for pain-relief, but can also help to keep you flexible and make giving birth easier. Because of this, it’s ideal to consider trying out.
Dr. Brent Wells, D.C. has been a chiropractor for over 20 years and has treated thousands of patients. He founded Better Health Chiropractic & Physical Rehab in Alaska in 1998 and is a member of the American Chiropractic Association and the American Academy of Spine Physicians. Dr. Wells is also the author of over 700 online health articles that have been featured on sites such as Dr. Axe and Lifehack. Currently, he works at Assignmentbro as a writer.
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