Pregnancy Care
If you are thinking of becoming pregnant this is the most important time to begin chiropractic care. Your body will be able to prepare for the changes of pregnancy better if care is started prior to conception. Even before becoming pregnant, chiropractic care will lead to more regular menstrual cycles and will aid in better function of the uterus. In addition to the proper function of systems and organs, your musculature and frame will also benefit by becoming stronger and more balanced overall. Chiropractic care from chiropractors restore proper nerve communication to muscles and organs including reproductive organs. It is no surprise that couples trying to conceive have found great benefit in chiropractic.
If you are already pregnant you can still benefit greatly from chiropractic care. Low back strain increases as your baby belly grows. This change along with changes in the way you are walking and a shift in your center of gravity will increase your chances of having back pain and even headaches. The closer you get to your due date your body will begin to release relaxin. Relaxin is a hormone that causes your ligaments to loosen, which is very beneficial as you give birth, but it can make any previous joint issues more prominent.
Recent studies conducted regarding chiropractic care and pregnancy resulted in evidence of decreased labor duration. The labor time of first pregnancies was reduced by nearly 24% and subsequent pregnancies were by almost 39%. Additional studies revealed a decreased need for pain medication by 50% and an overall reduction of pregnancy back pain reports of almost 85%.
DOES YOUR CHIROPRACTOR HAVE ADVANCED PREGNANCY TRAINING IN BURLINGTON?
The Webster technique is a specific training protocol used to help ensure the baby is positioned properly for birth. Dr. Kotlerman has undergone training in this technique. He knows what to monitor and has expertise above and beyond general chiropractic techniques relative to pregnancy. Put your trust in a doctor that focuses his career on proper pregnancy care.
PREGNANCY CARE
The physical stress of pregnancy can lead to a great deal of discomfort. It’s common for women to complain of low back pain while pregnant, as well as related issues, such as sciatica, leg cramps, and constipation. This can lead to difficulty performing daily routines as well as difficulties in labor.
Chiropractic treatment for pregnancy can be an outstanding source of relief for back pain. Many women also comment that the birth process was easier after having undergone chiropractic treatments. The following article takes a more in-depth look at the discomfort caused by pregnancy and explains exactly how chiropractic treatment can help.
PRENATAL CHIROPRACTIC
During pregnancy, a woman’s body undergoes a number of different changes to accommodate the growing baby. As the baby grows, a mother’s center of gravity shifts to the front of her pelvis, resulting in added stress and discomfort in the low back and the various joints of the pelvis. At the peak of pregnancy and the associated weight gain, the curve in the low back (lordotic curve) can increase to the point of causing serious impact on the vertebral joints, the sacrum and the hip joints.
The nerves that travel to all other parts of the body have their origin in the spine. When the spine is compressed, these nerves can become irritated causing the pain to radiate to other areas of the body. Sciatica is a condition commonly stimulated by pregnancy, involving pain that radiates from the low back all the way down the legs.
If a previous issue exists with the alignment of the spine, and there has been a history of low back problems, pregnancy will often aggravate the condition. Pregnancy can cause the spine to become misaligned to the point that it does not simply go back into place once the pregnancy is complete. This can make the tasks that become necessary once the child is born, such as carrying a baby on your front or back, breast-feeding, and bending over to lift and pick things up, painfully difficult.
PRENATAL CHIROPRACTIC CARE
Chiropractic practitioners can provide safe and effective personalized care throughout your pregnancy and in the postpartum period. A thorough examination will determine the best treatment to address your discomfort and prepare the body for the height of pregnancy and childbirth. There are specialized adjustment methods to accommodate pregnancy. These treatments may reduce the need for pain medications throughout the delivery as well as help to reduce labor time. Follow up treatments can assist in realigning the body after the pregnancy, speeding the transition to a healthy post-pregnancy body.
If you are curious about how chiropractic can help you with your pregnancy call our team at Kotlerman Family Health today. We are here to help.