During your fifth or sixth week of pregnancy, you may start to notice lower back pain, aches in your pelvis, and even knee and ankle swelling. These symptoms are directly related to the body being unable to handle and adjust to the rapid physical changes that occur during pregnancy.
The good news is that prenatal chiropractic care can help alleviate these symptoms. When provided by a licensed professional, prenatal chiropractic care is safe for both you and your baby. In fact, it’s an exceptional holistic treatment method for reducing tension and pain and stimulating natural healing and recovery during pregnancy.
What to Expect from a Prenatal Adjustment
Your chiropractor will likely encourage spinal and pelvic adjustments to target specific pain areas. However, a prenatal chiropractic adjustment is not likely to be that much different than what you’ve experienced before if you’ve ever been to a chiropractor. You’ll be positioned on a table, which will support your head, shoulders, legs, and hips, and have a bolster or pillow placed near your belly, so that it can be supported off the table.
As with all chiropractic care, it’s critical that you inform your chiropractor about your specific needs and goals, which helps them tailor the adjustments. They will also encourage you to come in for routine appointments, even as often as once a week, depending on the severity of your symptoms.
In general, your prenatal adjustment should not cause any pain or discomfort. In fact, you may find that after treatment, your body feels more relaxed and at ease.
Are There Risks?
It may seem scary to put yourself and your baby in the hands of another person. However, the American Pregnancy Association reports no risks associated with prenatal chiropractic care. Additionally, one study reported no adverse effects when using the Webster Technique (the primary adjustment technique for prenatal care) to treat pregnancy symptoms. The same study also showed a reduction in lower back pain symptoms just 4.5 days after the patients’ initial treatment.
That said, women with certain conditions may be advised against having chiropractic care. That includes women who are experiencing any type of vaginal bleeding or placenta previa, cancer of the spine, numbness or tingling in the arms or legs, severe osteoporosis, or women with a history of strokes.
In all situations, it is best to consult your primary care doctor or OB/GYN if you’re concerned about starting chiropractic care. However, for most women, a tailored chiropractic treatment plan can provide significant improvement with little to no risk.
General Benefits of Chiropractic Care During Pregnancy
Prenatal chiropractic care can help you:
- Reduce pain symptoms experienced during pregnancy, including nausea.
- Reduce labor and delivery time.
- Reduce back, neck, and joint paint
- Potentially prevent cesarean delivery.
During the first trimester, you may notice support in alleviating blockages in the digestive system that lead to heartburn, bloating, and indigestion. During the second trimester, you may experience improved joint and ligament function, less low back pain, and more flexibility and alignment that boosts natural strength. Finally, during the third trimester, the baby’s weight and pressure are at their worst, so chiropractic adjustments can help prepare for faster and easier delivery. Chiropractors may also apply the Webster technique to help encourage a breech baby to move into the proper position.
Finding a Qualified Prenatal Chiropractor
The key to safety during any medical treatment is to choose a licensed provider you can trust. We recommend looking for chiropractors with specific training and experience working with pregnant women. When searching, look for the following professional designations:
- DACCP: A Diplomate with ICPA, reflecting the highest level of advanced training in chiropractic care
- CACCP: This reflects advanced training with ICPA.
- ICPA Member: An ICPA Member is specialized in prenatal chiropractic care.
- Webster-Certified: Those with specific skills in the Webster Technique, which can help with breech babies but also improve overall pelvic balance throughout pregnancy.
And always remember to ask questions. Learn what the chiropractor encourages and provides. Ask about any limitations they may apply to your care or what type of exercises they typically recommend.
Schedule a Consultation Today
Total Health Systems is a multi-disciplinary wellness center offering holistic, patient-centered services, including chiropractic care, to individuals and families across Michigan. If you are looking for an exceptional support team and advocate during your pregnancy, contact us today to schedule a consultation with one of our licensed chiropractors—we accept health insurance.
At Total Health Systems we have two members on our Chiropractic Team who specialize in Prenatal Chiropractic Care. Dr Fiona Gallagher, DC at our Clinton Township location and Dr Neelam Patel, DC at our St Clair Shores location.
