Chiropractic During Pregnancy
I hear a lot (particularly from male patients) that it’s their ‘big belly’ that is causing their back pain. Weight actually is a small factor in back pain but it can be a big one when you “SUDDENLY” put on a lot of weight. Like when you get pregnant… So, It shouldn’t be a big surprise that given all the extra weight, postural and hormonal changes occurring during a typical pregnancy, that at least half of all women experience back pain when pregnant.
With an increase of 20-to-40 lbs on the abdomen, the spine and pelvis are placed under a lot more strain than usual. Not only that, these detrimental postural forces continue after the birth, as the new mother has to lift and carry her baby.
More and more women are discovering that chiropractic care during their pregnancy can help ease the stress on their spine, facilitate an easier and less traumatic labor, and ensure that their baby can pass through the birth canal and into this world with minimal risk of a birth injury.
The negative effects of pregnancy on the female body increase steadily over the nine months of the pregnancy. Using chiropractic along with yoga, stretching, and relaxation techniques during pregnancy can effectively prevent physical damage to the joints and surrounding ligaments. Left unattended, the ligaments can become excessively stretched, limiting their ability to support and stabilize the spine during movement.
The following studies highlight some of the common problems and chiropractic treatment options available to the pregnant mother. Considering that drug-based care is too dangerous for the expectant mother and her unborn fetus, the only safe approach to preparing the mother’s body for birth is drug-free chiropractic care.
What Percentage Of Pregnant Women Suffer From Lower Back Pain During Labor?
While 79% of non-chiropractic patients suffer from lower back pain during labor, only 28% of chiropractic patients experience pain.The authors concluded that “women who underwent chiropractic treatment had significantly less chance of experiencing back labor.” (Journal of Manipulative & Physiological Therapeutics 1991)
What Is The Greatest Contributor To Lower Back Pain During Pregnancy?
Sacroiliac subluxation: a common, treatable cause of low-back pain in pregnancy. (Family Practice Resource Journal 1991)
A retrospective review of 100 consecutive pregnancies, involving 94 women receiving prenatal care was conducted. Back pain was reported to the physician in 23 cases. Eleven of the 23 met diagnostic criteria for sacroiliac subluxation. After chiropractic manipulative therapy, 10 of the 11 women (91%) had complete relief of pain and exhibited no signs of sacroiliac subluxation.
Low back pain during pregnancy. (Obstetrics & Gynecology 1998)
Of 862 women who answered the questionnaires, about half developed some degree of low back pain. Seventy-nine women who were unable to continue their work because of severe low back pain were referred for orthoneurologic examination. The most common reason for severe low back pain (78% of cases) was dysfunction of the sacroiliac joints (aka sacroiliac subluxation).
How Effective Is Chiropractic For Pregnancy-Related Lower Back Pain?
Back pain during pregnancy and labor. (Journal of Manipulative & Physiological Therapeutics 1991)
84% of patients receiving chiropractic spinal manipulative therapy reported relief of back pain during pregnancy. There was significantly less likelihood of back labor when spinal manipulative therapy was administered during pregnancy.
Chiropractic manipulation for low back pain of pregnancy. (Journal of Midwifery & Women’s Health 2006)
94% of pregnant women suffering from low back pain note significant relief with chiropractic care. The author concluded, “chiropractic care may be effective for reducing the intensity of low back pain of pregnancy.”
What Is The Likelihood Of Recurrent Pain In Future Pregnancies?
Follow-up of patients with low back pain during pregnancy. (Obstetrics & Gynecology 1998)
Women with severe low back pain during pregnancy have a very high risk for recurrent low back pain of a similar intensity during a subsequent pregnancy.
By reducing the physical stresses on the muscles and joints of the spine and pelvis, chiropractic can be a safe and natural approach to alleviating pain while minimizing the risk of future problems. Light, low-force techniques can used throughout the entire pregnancy and serves as a safe and effective method for easing the burden of pregnancy and reducing the need for potentially dangerous drugs.
