During pregnancy the body experiences many physical changes as well as additional demands. Rapid physical changes occur as the uterus expands to accommodate the growing fetus. Most notably perhaps, the pelvic bones must shift to make more room for the growing belly, creating space for the infant’s head in preparation for labor and delivery. This anterior shift or tilt in the pelvis can lead to more pressure and compression in the lower back causing biomechanical changes in movement patterns (ie. walking), which can then lead to pain. This physical transformation, along with the increase in pregnancy hormones like relaxin, are responsible for an estimated 50% of pregnant women developing lower back pain, hip pain and/or sciatica pain during their pregnancy and/or postpartum.
Chiropractic care can be beneficial during pregnancy by alleviating the compression in the joints and the muscular compensations caused by the physical changes that occur. It can help decrease tension and pain in the musculoskeletal system by restoring proper alignment and movement to the joints. Increased blood flow in the muscles helps to decrease fascial thickening and painful trigger points.
Chiropractic care can assist in providing more space for baby to move and grow and eventually move into an ideal birthing position (cephalic presentation). Tension in the muscles around the lower back, hips and/or pelvis area could make it difficult for baby to get into this position. Prior trauma like car accidents or sport injuries could attribute to this type of tension and should be addressed throughout pregnancy.
When searching for a Chiropractor that is right for you during pregnancy, it is vital that they have experience treating pregnant patients and have the ability to incorporate soft tissue therapies along with pregnancy safe adjustments, as this will help ensure the best possible outcome for pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum.
After treating a wide variety of pregnant patients and helping to support my wife during her pregnancy, delivery and postpartum, I found that getting into a maintenance Chiropractic routine around once per week to once every two weeks, especially after the 2nd and 3rd trimester, made a huge difference in her overall comfort levels and the prevention of any major musculoskeletal injuries. Preventative care during pregnancy is of the utmost importance as strains to the body are more common due to the relaxin hormone. Uncomfortable or disrupted sleep, increased pressure into the joints and carrying more weight can attribute to a slower healing process. It is vital to reach labor and delivery with minimal sprains, strains and/or sciatica type symptoms because the body needs to be in the best shape possible for the physical challenges presented during labor and delivery.
