During pregnancy, the shape of a woman’s body changes as it makes room for a growing baby. While many people think aches and pains are a natural part of pregnancy, they are only partially right.Chiropractic treatment can control pain and reduce the risk of complications during labor and delivery. Read more to find out how chiropractic adjustments can improve your pregnancy.
Reduce Daily Pain
As a woman’s belly grows, her back curves more dramatically in response to the extra weight. This extra weight shifts the woman’s center of gravity, making falling easier and moving around more difficult. All these changes give many pregnant women pain in their lower backs and other joints.
Since pregnancy causes a woman’s bones to shift slowly in the body, they can easily become misaligned. An experienced chiropractor can move the bones back into their proper place. Women can and should schedule appointments with a chiropractor throughout their pregnancy. Proper alignment provides relief for both mother and baby.
Some of the benefits of chiropractic care during pregnancy are:
- Greater control of nausea
- Relief from lower back pain
- Relief from upper back pain
- Lessened discomfort in shoulder, hips, and joints
- Reduced symptoms of heartburn and headaches
- Decreased occurrence of swollen ankles
Improve Ease of Delivery
A woman’s body releases the hormone relaxing during pregnancy, which loosens up joints and makes it possible for a baby to be delivered with less pain. However, this hormone can cause the pelvis and sacrum (tailbone) to twist out of alignment. Since these bones create an opening for the birth canal, a misalignment can create unnecessary pain during pregnancy and possible complications during delivery.
When your pelvis is out of alignment, it can create tension in the ligaments that hold the uterus in place. This tension can keep the baby in a breech position (head up, feet down) beyond 37 weeks. Having the baby in breech position makes delivery very difficult; sometimes a C-section is necessary.
Dr. Larry Webster, a prominent chiropractor, developed a technique to align the pelvis and let the baby comfortably move into the proper position. In honor of his achievement, it was named the Webster Technique. This technique can be used periodically during pregnancy, even right before delivery, to ensure the baby is in the right position to deliver.
If you’re suffering from pain during pregnancy, consult a qualified chiropractor to restore your body’s proper alignment. Call the professionals at Alberta Back and Neck Rehab & Sports Injuries Clinic today at (403) 234-0040.