Should I See A Chiropractor During Pregnancy?
Pregnancy can be an exciting time in your life. It can also be an overwhelming experience. There are so many books to read and so many things to learn and so many decisions to make. Not to mention the hormone changes causing things like morning sickness, mood swings and pains in your body you have never felt before. Whether this is your first pregnancy or your fifth, this transition phase of your life can be a lot. Hopefully this blog will help you gain some insight into how chiropractic care in Ken Caryl, CO can help you feel a little bit better and answer some of the questions you might be having.
Benefits of Chiropractic Care in Your First Trimester
In your first trimester you might not be feeling much pain at all. However, it's not uncommon to experience things like fatigue, nausea and headaches. Chiropractic care in your first trimester is very successful at alleviating headaches through chiropractic adjustments and various soft tissue therapies. While chiropractic care won’t necessarily treat your nausea and fatigue directly, it will help your body turn on your parasympathetic nervous system which can aid in digestion and help increase your quality of sleep.
Around the end of your first trimester you might start to notice some low back pain due to pregnancy. This is because your hormone relaxin tends to elevate around week 13 or 14 and peaks around week 16. While the hormone itself does not cause pain, it does increase the laxity of your ligaments which can put stress on the body that can cause discomfort.
Benefits of Chiropractic Care in Your Second Trimester
In your second trimester you really start to notice more physical changes. Your baby is growing and so are you. Your belly is expanding and your breasts are getting larger. Both of which can lead to more body aches. As your belly grows the curve in your low back (lordosis) will start to increase and could lead to low back pain in pregnancy. The increase in the curve in your low back is a result of your body trying to counter balance your belly and gravity pulling your upper body forward. As your breasts begin to grow your body will sometimes respond by rolling your shoulders forward and putting your upper back into a more flexed position. This can often lead to upper back and neck pain.
Luckily our chiropractor in Littleton, CO is trained to address these changes and help reduce your symptoms. Chiropractic care for low back pain in pregnancy works to create balance in not only your joints but also your ligaments, muscles and fascia. Creating balance in the multiple body systems reduces strain on the various tissues and in turn reduces pain. Along with chiropractic care, soft tissue work and active rehab are essential for helping you feel your best. At Untamed Wellness our chiropractor for pregnant people will teach you what exercises will help keep your body balanced and reduce pregnancy related pain.
Benefits of Chiropractic Care in Your Third Trimester
Whether you have already been seeing a chiropractor throughout your pregnancy or you are just getting started, chiropractic care can be a game changer in your third trimester. Baby is now growing faster than ever and the body aches that started in your first and second trimester tend to intensify. This can affect not only your day to day activities but it can also affect your sleep patterns. Seeing a chiropractor during pregnancy reduces pain which can lead to more comfortable and restful sleep.
Beyond pain, your third trimester is a crucial time to ensure your body is balanced. Having balanced mobility in the joints of your pelvis as well as the muscles, ligaments and fascia associated with the pelvis can lead to easier, faster labors with less complications. Addressing any imbalance in the pelvis and associated structures also has a high success rate of improving fetal positioning if your baby presents in a breech position.
Is Chiropractic Safe During Pregnancy?
Yes, when performed by a chiropractor trained in webster technique, chiropractic care is safe in every trimester of pregnancy. Seeing a chiropractor who is trained specifically to treat pregnant patients will help ensure your body gets what it needs in a manner that is safe and effective. There are contraindications to getting adjusted while pregnant such as:
Vaginal bleeding
Ruptured amniotic membrane
Premature labor
Placenta previa
Placenta abruption
Ectopic pregnancy
Moderate to severe toxemia
Sudden onset of pelvic pain
If you are experiencing any of the above please speak with your obstetrician before beginning chiropractic care.