Pregnancy and Chiropractic. Is it Safe?
During pregnancy women in Singapore and around the world experience a wide number a changes in their bodies. Their bellies grow with new life, hands and feet swell, they experience nausea, and a large percentage experience pain in their neck and back. Can these aches and pains be avoided?
[image of a pregnant woman]
When a mother’s body starts to change during pregnancy there is a lot more stress and pressure placed on her joints and muscles. While the baby continues to grow her body has to tolerate the increasing weight as well as adapting to provide more and more energy and nutrients to the fetus. The change in shape of her body affects her balance too. The growing womb protrudes forward bringing her center of gravity forward. This pulls the low back more toward her front, increasing the curve (lordosis). When the curve increases, the joints get closer and can irritate the nerves in the low back, causing pain in the back and potentially in the groin, buttocks, legs, feet and toes!
“Just because pain during pregnancy is common is doesn’t make it normal”
This change in center of gravity will also change the position of the neck putting pressure on the nerves that come from the neck. These nerves supply information to the head, face, neck, shoulders, arms and hands.
How can Light Chiropractic help?
At Light Chiropractic we have lots of experience working with pregnant clients through all their stages of pregnancy. I worked on a study in England concerning treatments of pregnant mothers using either exercises, adjustments or no treatment at all.
“A mix of exercise and adjustments produced the biggest reductions in low back and neck pain, especially in mothers who started care earlier into their pregnancy”
Most commonly there are changes in the pelvis due to the growing womb which stretch the muscles and ligaments in the area.
When should I see Light Chiropractic?
It is suggestible to see a Chiropractor as early as possible, ideally before getting pregnant! Chiropractic works best when it prevents symptoms such as pain. Chiropractic care before getting pregnant can help to minimize any discomfort during pregnancy and ensure that the body is more ready for the ensuing changes. We use a mix of adjustments and exercises to make sure you’re fighting fit to carry the baby and to chase them around once they’re born! Chiropractic has been reported to help with easier deliveries, shorter labor and less need for medication.
What about my baby?
We always suggest having babies checked to see if there are any issue that may be putting stress on their fragile bodies due to the birthing process, or any other complications that may have occurred. The techniques used for babies are much gentler and at this young they respond a lot quicker than adults. Personally I have checked and treated babies as young as 3 weeks old.
[image of a baby]