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Chiropractic Care During Pregnancy: Safe and Effective Treatment

Chiropractic treatment is a method of health care that uses joint and spinal manipulation to reduce pain, increase mobility, and improve a person’s overall wellness. This treatment restores the body’s balance and allows nerves to function freely without interference.

During pregnancy, a woman’s body undergoes many changes. In addition to carrying twenty to thirty pounds of extra weight by the third trimester, the abdominal muscles weaken, and the curve of the lower spine becomes more pronounced (compressing the spinal nerve and leading to lower back pain). These prenatal changes can also cause pregnancy-related discomfort, pelvic pain and sciatica.

Unfortunately, pain medication is not the best option for during pregnancy, but the good news is that relief can be found with chiropractic treatment!

Is Prenatal Chiropractic Care Safe?

Chiropractic treatment is completely safe during pregnancy. As part of their training, chiropractors receive instruction on how to apply treatment to pregnant women without risk. 

It is still a good idea to visit your doctor, obstetrician, or OB/GYN and get approval for chiropractic care before treatment takes place You should not have chiropractic care if you are experiencing any of the following: 

  • Vaginal bleeding
  • Placenta previa or placental abruption
  • Ectopic pregnancy
Pregnant woman looking up.

Does Chiropractic Care Help Women’s Health During Pregnancy?

As a pregnancy progresses, the center of gravity of a woman’s body must shift to accommodate the growing child. This frequently leads to pain in the lower back, pelvis, knees, and ankles. Since a chiropractor’s job is to use manipulation to realign joints and restore the body’s natural position, chiropractic care can make a big difference. However, there are other benefits than just pain relief!

Reduce Nausea

One of the most common pregnancy symptoms is nausea, frequently in the form of morning sickness during the first trimester. The process of correcting misalignment to the spinal column and joints can have benefits for the nervous system. Chiropractic care can restore the nervous system’s proper functioning which helps to alleviate the nausea commonly associated with pregnancy.

More Room For The Baby

When the pelvis is out of alignment, the baby might not have enough room to develop and move, a condition known as intrauterine constraint. Chiropractic treatment can restore pelvic balance and create more room for the growing baby, as well as make a more comfortable pregnancy.

Easier Delivery

The benefits of chiropractic care for pregnant women extend all the way up to the time of birth. Chiropractic adjustment can be used to move a baby out of a breech position and into a normal birthing position (this is referred to as the Webster technique).

A woman’s body naturally releases a hormone called relaxin during pregnancy which relaxes the muscles and ligaments. However, this change to the muscles and ligaments can cause instability. Chiropractic treatment can also help stabilize the pelvic structure, cutting down on labor time and reducing the need for interventions, such as a C-section.

Treatment of Postpartum Pain

Regular chiropractic care can even help with pain after delivery. Many women experience back pain and neck pain due to holding a position for long periods of time while nursing. Chiropractic treatments can alleviate musculoskeletal and joint pain caused by static posture.

Call Meridian HealthCare For Chiropractic Services

To make an appointment for Meridian’s chiropractic services, please call 330-797-0074
and ask for Chiropractic or Acupuncture Services.