Chiropractic Care for Pregnancy
During pregnancy a woman’s body, including
her pelvis and spine, go through many
changes and adaptations to compensate for
the growth of her baby. These changes can
not only lead to low back pain, but may cause
constraint of the abdominal muscles and
ligaments. The resulting torsion of the
ligaments and muscles may lead to an altered
shape or size of the uterus. In some cases,
the constraint restricts the baby’s position
during pregnancy, which may prevent him/her
from getting into the best possible position for
birth. Such positions often lead to longer more
painful labors with increased medical
interventions. Also, any imbalances in the
pelvis can create a decreased diameter of the
pelvic opening, resulting in a less than optimal
passage for the baby.
Chiropractic care has been shown to help
decrease, or eliminate low back pain in
pregnancy, and restore normal structure and
function to the pelvis. By addressing the
imbalances in the pelvis, the constraint of the
ligaments and musculature are released,
resulting in a safer, faster, easier birth. The
most well-known chiropractic technique used
for a pregnant mother is called the Webster
Technique. The technique analyzes the
pelvis/sacrum, and any imbalances in the
muscles and ligaments in the woman’s pelvis.
It then removes constraint with the proper
adjustment, which allows the baby to get into
the best possible position for birth.
During pregnancy a woman’s body, including
her pelvis and spine, go through many
changes and adaptations to compensate for
the growth of her baby. These changes can
not only lead to low back pain, but may cause
constraint of the abdominal muscles and
ligaments. The resulting torsion of the
ligaments and muscles may lead to an altered
shape or size of the uterus. In some cases,
the constraint restricts the baby’s position
during pregnancy, which may prevent him/her
from getting into the best possible position for
birth. Such positions often lead to longer more
painful labors with increased medical
interventions. Also, any imbalances in the
pelvis can create a decreased diameter of the
pelvic opening, resulting in a less than optimal
passage for the baby.
Chiropractic care has been shown to help
decrease, or eliminate low back pain in
pregnancy, and restore normal structure and
function to the pelvis. By addressing the
imbalances in the pelvis, the constraint of the
ligaments and musculature are released,
resulting in a safer, faster, easier birth. The
most well-known chiropractic technique used
for a pregnant mother is called the Webster
Technique. The technique analyzes the
pelvis/sacrum, and any imbalances in the
muscles and ligaments in the woman’s pelvis.
It then removes constraint with the proper
adjustment, which allows the baby to get into
the best possible position for birth.
| Prenatal and Pediatric Chiropractic Care |
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Pediatric Care
Why do millions of parents bring their children
to Doctors of Chiropractic every year? Is it
only for highly dramatic health conditions? Is
it only for when my child is hurting? Not at all!
Today we find more parents bringing their
children to chiropractors for day-to-day health
concerns we’re all familiar with: colds, sore
throats, ear infections, fever, colic, asthma,
tonsillitis, allergies, bed wetting, infections,
pains, falls, stomach-ache and the hundred
and one little and big things children go
through as they grow up.
Chiropractic care can start as early as
immediately following birth. However, your
child will benefit from chiropractic care at any
age. Infants can suffer from subluxations
due to the birth process, and continue to
develop more due to the simple strain of
holding their head up, sitting/laying in their
car seat and strollers, as well as from the
bumps and falls they take when learning how
to crawl and walk. As they continue to grow
children can suffer various injuries from
activities such as contact sports, falling off
bikes, out of trees, and tumbling around the
playground. They may also have poor
posture from sitting improperly at school,
watching television or playing video games.
Children and teens often suffer back strain
from over-loaded school back packs. Teens
deal with the same strains they did as
children compounded with the additional
emotional stress, and hormonal changes
associated with puberty. Chiropractic can
help kids of all ages adapt to their new,
changing, growing bodies.
Chiropractic adjusting techniques are
modified to fit a child’s size, weight, and
unique spinal problem. Parents often report
that their children seem healthier than other
kids their age.
Why do millions of parents bring their children
to Doctors of Chiropractic every year? Is it
only for highly dramatic health conditions? Is
it only for when my child is hurting? Not at all!
Today we find more parents bringing their
children to chiropractors for day-to-day health
concerns we’re all familiar with: colds, sore
throats, ear infections, fever, colic, asthma,
tonsillitis, allergies, bed wetting, infections,
pains, falls, stomach-ache and the hundred
and one little and big things children go
through as they grow up.
Chiropractic care can start as early as
immediately following birth. However, your
child will benefit from chiropractic care at any
age. Infants can suffer from subluxations
due to the birth process, and continue to
develop more due to the simple strain of
holding their head up, sitting/laying in their
car seat and strollers, as well as from the
bumps and falls they take when learning how
to crawl and walk. As they continue to grow
children can suffer various injuries from
activities such as contact sports, falling off
bikes, out of trees, and tumbling around the
playground. They may also have poor
posture from sitting improperly at school,
watching television or playing video games.
Children and teens often suffer back strain
from over-loaded school back packs. Teens
deal with the same strains they did as
children compounded with the additional
emotional stress, and hormonal changes
associated with puberty. Chiropractic can
help kids of all ages adapt to their new,
changing, growing bodies.
Chiropractic adjusting techniques are
modified to fit a child’s size, weight, and
unique spinal problem. Parents often report
that their children seem healthier than other
kids their age.
Subluxation Complex
Your brain sends messages to the body through the
spinal cord, which splits into 31 pairs of nerves that
exit the spinal cord and vertebral column and travel to
the body’s muscles, organs, and skin. When your
spine is not aligned properly it has the potential to
irritate and interfere with the nerve’s function and
ability to send the message from the brain to the
organ, muscle or skin it’s traveling to. This can
potentially affect many of the body’s normal functions
like it’s ability to heal itself, normal digestion of food, or
lung capacity to name just a few. Your spine being out
of alignment also creates tight muscles and painful
regions of the back. When your spine is in proper
alignment your nervous system is protected and has
the ability to run smoothly and correctly. Having your
spine checked out, and adjusted on a regular basis
promotes a healthy, strong spine, and optimal nervous
system function allowing the body to perform at its
best ability.
Your brain sends messages to the body through the
spinal cord, which splits into 31 pairs of nerves that
exit the spinal cord and vertebral column and travel to
the body’s muscles, organs, and skin. When your
spine is not aligned properly it has the potential to
irritate and interfere with the nerve’s function and
ability to send the message from the brain to the
organ, muscle or skin it’s traveling to. This can
potentially affect many of the body’s normal functions
like it’s ability to heal itself, normal digestion of food, or
lung capacity to name just a few. Your spine being out
of alignment also creates tight muscles and painful
regions of the back. When your spine is in proper
alignment your nervous system is protected and has
the ability to run smoothly and correctly. Having your
spine checked out, and adjusted on a regular basis
promotes a healthy, strong spine, and optimal nervous
system function allowing the body to perform at its
best ability.
| Dr. Jena treated me throughout my second pregnancy. Because of her excellent care, I did not experience the sciatic nerve problems I had with my first pregnancy. Dr. Jena also attended my birth in a birth-doula capacity. She was helpful, calm, and came prepared with suggestions for positions and other ways to manage pain for my choice of a natural birth. She worked as a team member with staff, family, and other resources we had during our birth experience. She was an excellent choice for our family and I would recommend her to anyone seeking prenatal chiropractic or birth doula services. -Catherine L |
Below is a Summary of some of the
Research on Spinal Adjustments for
treatment of low back pain in Pregnancy,
and facilitation of safer, easier births.
References:
Back pain during pregnancy and labor Diakow PR, Gadsby TA, Gadsby JB, Gleddie JG, Leprich
DJ, Scales AM. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1991 (Feb); 14 (2): 116-118
Low back pain during pregnancy. Berg G, Hammar M, Moller-Nielsen J, Linden U, Thorblad J.
Obstet Gynecol. 1988 (Jan); 71 (1): 71-75
Back pain during pregnancy: a prospective study. Kristiansson P, Svardsudd K, von Schoultz
B. Spine 1996 (Mar 15); 21 (6): 702-709
The prevalence of recalled low back pain during and after pregnancy: a South Australian
population survey. Stapleton DB, MacLennan AH, Kristiansson P. Aust N Z J Obstet
Gynaecol. 2002 (Nov); 42 (5): 482-485
Effect of pressure applied to the upper thoracic (placebo) versus lumbar areas (osteopathic
manipulative treatment) for inhibition of lumbar myalgia during labor. Guthrie RA, Martin RH. J
Am Osteopath Assoc. 1982 (Dec); 82 (4): 247-251
Low Back Pain During Pregnancy. Bery G, Hammar M, Moller-Nielsen J et al. Obstet and
Gynecol, 72:71-75, 1988
TextBook on Chiropractic & Pregnancy. Fallon J. International Chiropractic Association. 1994
- Arlington, Virginia.
Chiropractic Treatment of the Musculoskeletal System During Pregnancy, Bilgrai-Cohen K,
Journal Of The American Chiropractic Association May 1997: 33-34, 90
Sacroiliac subluxation: a common, treatable cause of low-back pain in pregnancy Daly JM,
Frame PS, Rapoza PA. Fam Prac Res J 1991;11(2):149-159
For more information of the studies listed above and others please contact
Dr. Jena Kittle.
Research on Spinal Adjustments for
treatment of low back pain in Pregnancy,
and facilitation of safer, easier births.
- Increased release of Relaxin and Estrogen causes softening of
ligaments and increased joint laxity. The mother’s center of gravity
shifts as her uterus and belly continue to grow. The body’s response
to these changes is commonly tender muscles and joint pain.
- According to the following studies 50-76% of women reported
having low back pain during at least one point of their pregnancy.
- According to the following studies when chiropractic care was
administered for low back pain during pregnancy 84-91% reported
relief of back pain after treatment.
- Another study found a reduction in labor time from 24-39% in
those patients undergoing chiropractic care through their pregnancy
compared to the average labor times. (24% for first time moms, and
39% for moms giving birth for the second time or more.)
References:
Back pain during pregnancy and labor Diakow PR, Gadsby TA, Gadsby JB, Gleddie JG, Leprich
DJ, Scales AM. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1991 (Feb); 14 (2): 116-118
Low back pain during pregnancy. Berg G, Hammar M, Moller-Nielsen J, Linden U, Thorblad J.
Obstet Gynecol. 1988 (Jan); 71 (1): 71-75
Back pain during pregnancy: a prospective study. Kristiansson P, Svardsudd K, von Schoultz
B. Spine 1996 (Mar 15); 21 (6): 702-709
The prevalence of recalled low back pain during and after pregnancy: a South Australian
population survey. Stapleton DB, MacLennan AH, Kristiansson P. Aust N Z J Obstet
Gynaecol. 2002 (Nov); 42 (5): 482-485
Effect of pressure applied to the upper thoracic (placebo) versus lumbar areas (osteopathic
manipulative treatment) for inhibition of lumbar myalgia during labor. Guthrie RA, Martin RH. J
Am Osteopath Assoc. 1982 (Dec); 82 (4): 247-251
Low Back Pain During Pregnancy. Bery G, Hammar M, Moller-Nielsen J et al. Obstet and
Gynecol, 72:71-75, 1988
TextBook on Chiropractic & Pregnancy. Fallon J. International Chiropractic Association. 1994
- Arlington, Virginia.
Chiropractic Treatment of the Musculoskeletal System During Pregnancy, Bilgrai-Cohen K,
Journal Of The American Chiropractic Association May 1997: 33-34, 90
Sacroiliac subluxation: a common, treatable cause of low-back pain in pregnancy Daly JM,
Frame PS, Rapoza PA. Fam Prac Res J 1991;11(2):149-159
For more information of the studies listed above and others please contact
Dr. Jena Kittle.
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