Pregnancy Chiropractic Care
I find many women aren’t aware that chiropractic care is an option for them during pregnancy. In fact, utilizing chiropractic care while pregnant has a huge impact on not only the way you feel, but also can benefit you when it comes time for delivery.
Chiropractors address all the physical changes of pregnancy, thus it makes sense to incoporate spinal care into your peri-natal routine. Discomfort and pain affects all women during pregnancy, but being cared for by a chiropractic physician trained to work with pregnancy will better your experience, and many times will allow you to continue with your day to day activities up to the date of delivery.
Following is a list of common symptoms felt during pregnancy, and how chiropractic can help to ease the discomfort.
1. Sciatica.
This is one of the more common symptoms seen during pregnancy, and is generally described by the patient as discomfort in the low back/gluteal region that radiates down one or both legs. Chiropractors will realign any subluxations (misalignment of a joint) present in the low back or sacroiliac joints (pelvis), as well as go over stretches and exercises that can be done at home inbetween visits.
2. Intercostal neuralgia.
This is the technical name for what many women feel as “rib-cage pain”. As mom gets further along in pregnancy, the rib cage will expand to make room for the baby. Typically a deep breath in will cause mild discomfort, however the pain can vary from mild to severe. By adjusting the thoracic spine and rib heads that articulate with them, a chiropractor can relieve some of this discomfort.
3. Carpel Tunnel.
A large percentage of pregnant women complain of carpel tunnel, which is characterized by pain, numbness and/or tingling of the forearm, wrist, and/or hand. With increased swelling in the extremities it is common to find subluxation in the wrist and hand.
4. Pubic symphysis pain.
As the pelvis expands the opening of the symphysis pubis becomes stressed and stretched. Adjustments to the pelvis both posterior at the sacroiliac joints and anteriorly at the pubis may help to decrease this discomfort.
5. Coccydynia.
This is pain over the area of the coccyx, or tailbone. Most often it is seen after delivery, but may show up as early as the third trimester. The changes that the low back goes through during pregnancy many times contribute to this type of pain. Specific chiropractic adjustments to the coccyx can relieve this discomfort, and many times a special pillow to sit on will help mom to take pressure off the area while it heals.
Chiropractic care is an excellent choice when it comes to preventative and peri-natal care. For more information check out www.icpa4kids.org or just get in touch!
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Questions about how to safely decrease pregnancy back pain?
Call our Tempe chiropractic office for a consultation: (480) 440-4511
DISCLAIMER: This article is for informational purposes only, and does not take the place of an evaluation. For proper medical advice, see your chiropractic physician or medical doctor before determining what type of self care works for you.
Dr. Bobbie Bennett works with patients of all ages and walks of life. She enjoys helping her patients find freedom from pain and gain increased mobility so they can live their life without limitations.
