Pregnancy Aches and Pains: How Chiropractic Can Treat Them

Aches and pains during pregnancy are part of the experience. From the moment of conception, a woman’s body goes through a plethora of changes. During these discomforts of back pain, pelvic pain, and postural adjustments, chiropractic care is among the popular alternative medicine therapies for providing relaxation and relief.

Body aches are a common complaint throughout pregnancy. Whether the pain is affecting a specific area such as pelvic pressure, or the patient feels sciatic nerve pain in the lower back and legs, chiropractic care will help maintain spinal health and correct misaligned joints. Chiropractic is a non-invasive, safe, and beneficial way to support your body in the midst of this magical time.

Subluxations and Irritations during Pregnancy

Commonly known as joint dysfunctions, subluxations of the spine occur when two or more vertebrae become restricted and block the body’s ability to communicate with itself. Most pregnant women seek out chiropractic treatment for localized back pain, sciatica (radiating leg pain), as well as headaches, neck pain, or posture imbalances. When the body begins to gain weight in the abdomen, the muscles will work harder and a rotation of the pelvis will force the body to unnaturally adapt to additional stress that has been placed on the spine – resulting in negative joint function and poor nerve communication.

How Can Chiropractic Help?

Chiropractors are trained to locate and treat joint dysfunctions with spinal adjustments and hand manipulation. By applying a gentle, targeted movement to the body’s spinal column and extremities, the chiropractor will restore proper joint function and improve nerve communication throughout the body. Chiropractors who are trained to work with pregnant women may use adjustment tables and use techniques that avoid undesirable pressure on the abdomen. These adjustments are designed to re-establish balance and alignment to the pelvis and spine, leaving the patient pain-free and able to enjoy the remaining weeks of pregnancy.

Additional benefits of chiropractic care include:

• Controlling symptoms of nausea
• Reduction in time of labor and delivery
• Potential prevention of cesarean delivery

Before seeing a chiropractor during pregnancy, it’s best to obtain your doctor’s approval first. Chiropractic care is not recommended if you’re experiencing vaginal bleeding, placenta abruption, ectopic pregnancy and/or moderate to severe toxemia.