One question that we hear quite frequently is, “Can I go to a chiropractor when I’m pregnant?”, which tends to be followed by, “Is it safe?”
The answer to both of these questions is a resounding YES!
In fact, there are absolutely no known contraindications regarding chiropractic care during the prenatal period, and all chiropractors are trained to work with women who are pregnant or trying to get pregnant. While that may seem “odd” to those not familiar with chiropractic, we can assure you that it’s anything but – after all, doesn’t it make sense that your chiropractor would be there to support you and aid you during such a pivotal time in your life? There are many chiropractors who even take a specific interest in prenatal and postnatal care and seek out additional training to make them the “experts amongst the experts”.
Before we go any further, let’s take a few moments to review what, exactly, a chiropractor does, because it goes far beyond being “a back cracker”. Chiropractic care helps maintain the health of your spinal column, bones, discs, and nerves in a manner that does not involve surgery or medication. The theory behind chiropractic care is that by adjusting the misaligned joints within the body (especially the spine), nerve stress will be reduced which, in turn, helps to promote health and wellbeing throughout the entire body. And, because the nervous system is the master communication system within our bodies, keeping the spine aligned helps to keep the entire body working as efficiently and smoothly as possible.
So, what’s the benefit to having chiropractic care during pregnancy? Well, to start with, those nine months of pregnancy put a lot of stress on the body – not stress that the body can’t handle, mind you – after all, our bodies were designed for the process – but stress nonetheless. Changes in the pelvis, as well as an ever burgeoning belly and increased curve to the back, can result in a misaligned spine and/or joints throughout the body. Being able to establish the proper balance and alignment of the pelvis during pregnancy is vital. When the pelvis is misaligned, it’s possible that the amount of room available for the developing baby is reduced. In addition, having a misaligned pelvis can also make it tough for the baby to get into the correct position for delivery which, in turn, can affect the delivery process and the mother’s ability to achieve a natural, non-invasive birth.
So, if you’re looking to maintain as healthy of a pregnancy as possible, chiropractic care is a great place to start! Not only will it help you maintain a healthier pregnancy, but it may also help to control morning sickness, ease back, neck, and joint pain, and has been shown to help in reducing the amount of time a woman spends in labor and delivery. If you’re interested in more information, please don’t hesitate to give us a call. Fletcher Chiropractic, located in Lincoln, Nebraska, is here to help your whole family stay healthy and happy!