It has been reported that approximately 50% of all pregnant women experience back pain during their pregnancy and 50% to 75% of women experience back pain during labor.1-3 However, only 21% of pregnant women with back pain seek consultation with their medical physicians.
Chiropractic care can be a valuable tool during any woman's pregnancy. The inability to use many medications while pregnant, along with the musculoskeletal changes that occur daily while the fetus is growing can lead to some annoying aches and pains that Western medicine often cannot address.
The mechanism of pain in pregnancy is complicated, but to summarize, the pregnant woman's body experiences many changes while the fetus is developing. Changes in the pelvic cavity, along with enlarging breast tissue and a growing belly all place anterior stress in the spinal column. These anatomical changes, along with a hormone called relaxin that gets released consistently throughout gestation can lead to instability, which the brain often responds to with muscle contraction and possible spasm.
While no Chiropractic technique can stop these changes from happening, getting adjusted along with using specific stabilization exercises, and soft tissue mobilization can help mitigate the pain that is associated with these changes. According to the latest literature review, Chiropractic evaluation and treatment during pregnancy may be considered a safe and effective means of treating common musculoskeletal symptoms that affect pregnant patients(1).
Dr. Casey utilizes many tools in her practice that can help manage things like low and upper back pains, sciatica, hip pain, among other complaints. Casey works with women at all stages of pregnancy, and notices the best outcomes in women who begin care early on in their pregnancy. This allows her to begin the stabilization process before major anatomical changes begin, thus preventing the pain that is so often associated with the later stages of gestation.
Contact us to schedule your chiropractic visit today. You can even schedule online. Take the first steps in managing back pain during your pregnancy.