There is a lot of information regarding the relationship between chiropractic care and pregnancy, but it is important to find the right sources to give you the most accurate information. One of the biggest misconceptions is where the chiropractor’s role sits in the pregnancy. Getting regular chiropractic treatments during pregnancy can be a great way to manage some of the symptoms such as lower back pain. In this article we will go over some of the benefits to receiving chiropractic care while you are pregnant.
To answer one of the most frequent questions by patients: YES, you can receive chiropractic care while you are pregnant. While the OB/GYN is the provider who will manage and monitor the pregnancy and mothers’ health, the chiropractor can play a role in the mothers’ pelvic alignment, as well as soft tissue tension that can occur during the pregnancy. Chiropractic care during pregnancy can lower the potential for pregnancy related sciatica, common musculoskeletal pains, maintain a balanced nervous system, and maintain a balanced pelvis. Studies have even shown that pregnant patients who received regular chiropractic care experienced between 25% and 31% decreased labor time.
During pregnancy, the pelvis continues to grow in order to accommodate the baby! As it grows, it can tighten different structures in the lower back that can become painful over time. Small ligaments that attach to the pelvis and sacrum such as the sacrotuberous ligament, sacroiliac ligament, and iliolumbar ligament are all easy targets for extra tension with pelvic expansion. With more tension, different muscle groups can tighten up as well. More specifically, the psoas, quadratus lumborum (QL), glute muscles, and piriformis muscles are commonly the sites of pain in these instances. If the wrong muscle becomes tightened, it can apply more pressure on the sciatic nerve, which could lead to symptoms traveling down the leg. Chiropractic care can address these muscle and soft tissue imbalances which can lead to less pain during pregnancy.
As we discussed in our Adjustment Guide to Wellness, chiropractic care has a major role in the proper function of the nervous system. This is especially critical for the pregnant patient, especially because it does not just involve mom! Keeping a balanced nervous system allows the natural healing response of the body to better be expressed. It also helps other systems of the body to properly function, allowing the mother and the baby to get what they need from a metabolic standpoint.
Chiropractic care can help manage the increased neurological and musculoskeletal stresses that occur during and following a pregnancy. Believe it or not, different muscles other than the ones listed above also can be affected by pregnancy. The most common that we tend to encounter are weakened abdominal muscles that have not been engaged during the duration of the pregnancy. Following the delivery (if no surgical procedures were performed), it can be beneficial to the spinal regions of the lower back, along with lower back stretching and abdominal strengthening in order to re-stabilize the pelvis and sacrum. In general, it can be a great form of treatment to restoring the bodies normal spinal biomechanics, which can help you get back to doing your pre-pregnancy activities faster.
Regular treatments will likely look different than a normal chiropractic treatment, and the reason for this is to accommodate the pregnancy. Our tables have functions to allow the pregnant patient to be treated, making us a great option for management of your care! The doctors will likely address the soft tissue/muscle imbalances to optimize the motion of the joints and reduce the tension symptoms you may have. Adjustment techniques vary based on your stage into the pregnancy. Stretching and therapeutic exercise as well as home-habit routines are also parts of your treatment that the doctor will go over with you.
In general, regular chiropractic care can benefit the pregnant patient in various ways. We touched the surface with some of the important information you should know when asking if you should be adjusted during pregnancy, but there is a lot more information out there! Ask one of our providers today if you need more information, or want to see if chiropractic adjustments are a good option for you if you are pregnant.
3 Chalker H.M. Spinal compensation of pregnancy. Am Chiropr. 1993;15(3):23–26.
