Pregnancy can be a beautiful time for expecting mothers and their families, but it can also come with physical discomfort as the body changes to accommodate the growing baby.
From hormonal fluctuations to weight gain and postural shifts, these changes can lead to aches, pains, and other challenges. Chiropractic care can play a vital role in alleviating discomfort and promoting overall wellness for pregnant patients, providing natural and drug-free treatments for expecting mothers.
How can chiropractic care benefit pregnant patients?
1. Alleviating Pain and Discomfort
Chiropractic care can provide pain relief to pregnant patients by targeting spine and joint alignment, reducing tension in the muscles, back, and joints. As the body changes throughout pregnancy, many people experience discomfort, including back aches and even sciatica pain.
With chiropractic adjustments, which involve gentle manipulation of the spine and joints, pregnant people can experience improved alignment, allowing their bodies to properly support a growing baby and reduce common discomforts during pregnancy.
2. Improved Pelvic Alignment
Proper pelvic alignment is crucial during pregnancy as it supports optimal fetal positioning. Misalignments in the pelvis can lead to conditions such as pelvic pain and pubic symphysis dysfunction, which causes symptoms such as stiff pelvic joints and limited mobility.
Chiropractors trained in prenatal care can perform specific adjustments to align the pelvis, making it easier for pregnant people to support the fetus and the baby to move into the correct position for birth.
3. Enhanced Comfort During Labor
Chiropractic care also has the potential to improve comfort during labor. By ensuring the pelvis and spine are aligned, chiropractic adjustments can contribute to a more efficient and comfortable labor process.
Studies suggest that pregnant patients who receive chiropractic care may experience shorter labor times and reduced pain during delivery. People who seek chiropractic care throughout their pregnancy have 25-31% shorter labor times on average.
4. Reducing Nausea and Other Pregnancy Symptoms
Many pregnant people experience morning sickness, fatigue, and other discomforts that can interfere with daily life throughout their pregnancy. Chiropractic care may help alleviate some of these symptoms by improving the overall function of the body’s nervous system.
Since chiropractic adjustments align the spine, and the spinal cord plays a crucial role in the body’s nervous system, chiropractic adjustments have the potential to improve nerve function, which can help regulate digestion and reduce muscle tension and fatigue.
5. Stress Relief
Pregnancy can bring about a range of physical and emotional changes that may lead to increased stress and anxiety as pregnant people and their families prepare for the arrival of the baby.
Chiropractic care offers a holistic approach to health that considers both physical and emotional well-being. Regular adjustments don’t just help with spine and joint alignment—they can also promote relaxation and reduce stress, providing a calming effect during a time that can often feel overwhelming.
6. Support for Postpartum Recovery
Chiropractic care doesn’t have to stop once the baby arrives. Many new mothers choose to continue their chiropractic treatments postpartum to address any lingering discomfort, support recovery, and promote overall physical wellness. Adjustments can help restore balance to the body as it heals and adapts to the new demands of caring for an infant.
Support Your Pregnancy With Chiropractic Care
Are you pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant? If so, schedule a free consultation with Ward Chiropractic and Rehabilitation today to discuss how chiropractic care can support your health and wellness throughout your pregnancy. Let us help you feel your best when you’re expecting!
