Is chiropractic safe if I’m pregnant?
– A frequently asked question by many patients.
The answer is YES! Treatment during all phases of pregnancy is 100% safe. We have to adapt the way we do some techniques, particularly in the later stages but it is still a very effective treatment.
During pregnancy the female body undergoes many different changes, this affects the way you feel, move and adapt to things.
Firstly, ligaments become more lax in order to accommodate changes in shape and in preparation for the pelvis to allow birth/delivery to occur. This means that joints, muscles and nerves can all become injured more easily. A knock that in a non-pregnant individual would cause very little or no problems could have a greater effect on the pregnant individual. In all respects the body becomes more sensitive to all stimuli.
As you progress through a pregnancy you gain more weight, especially in the abdominal area. This firstly means that the body’s centre of gravity shifts forward, resulting in certain areas being put under more stress and strain than they are used to. Areas particularly affected by this are the thoracic spine (mid-back), the lower back, pelvis and pubic symphysis.
Chiropractic can help to alleviate the pains and discomfort caused by these stresses. Pubic symphsis dysfunction is something that tends to affect ladies later on in their pregnancy as the baby increases in size and moves further down into the pelvis, in preparation for birth. Depending on how the baby is lying, can affect or stress one side of the pubic symphysis more than the other leading to misalignment of the joint, something chiropractic can treat.
As ligaments become more lax so do the joints, the pelvic joints are no exception. A slight rotation in the pelvis can decrease the diameter of the pelvic outlet significantly, during delivery is not going to make things any easier. Making sure the pelvis is correctly aligned at all stages of pregnancy, up until the last few days will make the delivery mechanically as easy as possible. Prior to this keeping the pelvis in the most neutral position allows your baby to lie in the most comfortable and viable position.
Chiropractic during pregnancy has the same effects as in the non-pregnant patient in terms of restoring function, decreasing pain and improving health. There are some additional techniques that can be very effective during pregnancy, which is why regular treatment throughout is healthy and beneficial to not only you (mum-to-be) but also your baby.
Due to the laxity of joints and ligaments, alongside your increased sensitivity treatment is gentle, and as always within your tolerance.
So whether you are experiencing any pain during your pregnancy, or you would like to make sure that you and your baby stay comfortable, happy and healthy, think chiropractic.
Learn more about Chiropractic at well4ever here.
