Chiropractic care involves maintenance of the spinal column and surrounding muscles, nerves, and bones without the use of drugs or surgery. It works towards adjusting misaligned parts of the body to reduce stress to promote health throughout the body. Chiropractic care can also play a significant role in prenatal health. Many people are worried about the potential risks of adjustments while pregnant, yet women who receive chiropractic care during pregnancy tend to have less complicated births. There are no known harms to chiropractic care throughout pregnancy, and all chiropractors are specially trained to work with women who are pregnant. There are also some chiropractors who also seek additional training on prenatal and postnatal care.
The body goes through many mechanical changes while pregnant to accommodate the extra weight which can create aches and pains in the lower back. As the belly expands the center of gravity is shifted forward, the pelvis tilts, and as a result the curve in the lower back increases. The upper back and neck area can also start to feel stiff as a result of this shift. Potential benefits of chiropractic care during pregnancy may include: relieving back, neck or joint pain, preventing a potential C-section, reducing the time of labor, controlling nausea symptoms and overall maintaining a healthier pregnancy. Establishing pelvic balance and alignment is another good reason to seek chiropractic adjustments when pregnant which has been termed “The Webster Technique”.
The Webster Technique or the “baby turning technique” is a specific chiropractic analysis and adjustment that works to reduce stress on the uterus and supporting ligaments, which has been clinically shown to allow for optimal fetal positioning. Approximately 4% of babies are breeched when going into delivery, meaning that the baby is feet first or in another incorrect position at the time of delivery. The International Chiropractic Pediatric Association recommends that women receive chiropractic care throughout their pregnancy in order to maintain a pelvic balance and increase the room a baby has for development. Optimal baby positioning can also eliminate the possibly of a difficult labor and results in a more comfortable, and safe delivery.
Here at the North York Madison Clinic we want to provide you with the best chiropractic care care possible for you and your little one! Make an appointment today to ensure a smooth, comfortable, and safe pregnancy for you and your baby.