Chiropractic Care and Pregnancy
Written by Dr. Kan Tuesday, 27 October 2009 14:11
Two months ago, I was adjusting for one of our pregnant patients who complained about her back. Back pain is a common problem faced by pregnant women. A reported 50% to 75% experience some form of back pain, with the majority having their pain during the 3rd trimester.
The change in the centre of gravity, coupled with the weight of the baby places pressure and stress on the mother’s spine.
The nervous system co-ordinates and control the numerous chemical reactions and hormonal changes in both the mother and her baby; so you can see why it is important to maintain a healthy spine.
Reports have shown that patients who received chiropractic care experience better back pain relief.1 Chiropractic manipulation may also significantly decrease the incidence of back labour–the intense lower back pain that many women feel during contractions when they're giving birth.2 Another benefit of pre-natal chiropractic is that it helps the unborn child to turn and position itself properly for a healthy birth.3
What Happens After Birth
It is important for the mother to continue to receive spinal adjustment to strengthen the spine. If the spine is not properly re-align the mother will continue to experience regular and periodic low back pain.
What about the Baby?
It is not unusual to have our expecting mothers to request to have their babies checked right after birth. It is best to adjust your baby within 2 weeks after birth. As your baby is born, he must rotate his head and flex his body to go through the birth canal. This process, though natural, can cause misalignment at the neck, shoulder and pelvic. In the short term, this slight damage may lead to several problems like:
- Poor Feeding
- Colic
- Restlessness, easily startled
- Tendency to face one side
- Reflux
Providing chiropractic treatment for your baby helps eliminate such problems. One study of 1250 babies, examined 5 days after birth, found that 211 suffered from vomiting, hyperactivity, and sleeplessness. 95% showed improvement after chiropractic treatment. Chiropractic care allows our body to do what it’s supposed to do naturally, and it’s definitely a great help if not necessary to any pregnant woman’s wellness programme.
References
- Shaw G. “When to Adjust: Chiropractic and Pregnancy” J AM Chiropr Assoc. 2003;40(11):8-16
- Diakow PR, Gadsby TA, Gadsby JB, Gleddie JG, Leprich DJ, Scales AM. “Back Pain During Pregnancy and Labor” J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1991 Feb; 14(2):116-8
- For more information on this procedure, visit the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association at www.icpa4kids.com
