How Chiropractic Can Make Your Pregnancy an Easier Experience
Centring on spinal manipulation, chiropractic treatments are great for anyone suffering from back and neck problems, which covers quite a wide range of ailments. There are also many conditions that don't have an obvious connection to the spine, but where chiropractic treatment can be a real help.
But one situation where people don't often think about consulting a chiropractor is during pregnancy. This is largely because they see a connection between seeking additional medical treatments and illness, and forget about the possible benefits in other situations.
Here are some of the ways a chiropractor can help make your pregnancy and childbirth a more pleasant experience.
Dealing with back pain
Many pregnant women experience an aching back, which is largely due to the changes the body goes through as the baby grows. It causes the spine to curve, and the pelvis to shift position, which can cause significant discomfort in the back, neck and hips.
A chiropractor can help alleviate these symptoms by improving your posture and suggesting exercises. They can also check the spine itself for vertebral subluxation and fix it through manipulation.
Morning sickness relief
Morning sickness is a part of pregnancy for a large number of women, but there's not always one single clear cause behind it. In some cases, the root of the nausea lies in the alignment of the spine, so a chiropractor can relieve the symptoms by making adjustments.
Easier birth
Even the quickest, easiest childbirths can be quite traumatic for the new mother, so anything that can make it go more smoothly is tremendously worthwhile.
The key treatment is working with the lower body, specifically the bones and muscles in the pelvis, in order to align them as satisfactorily as possible. By ensuring there's good alignment in this area, giving birth can happen much more easily.
In addition, there's some evidence that making adjustments to the pelvis can actually reduce the risk of premature birth, helping make sure your baby is born at a healthy point in the pregnancy.
Increased energy levels
Carrying the extra weight of a baby combined with the changes your body goes through while you're pregnant causes a lot of extra strain. This is likely to leave you feeling fatigued much more quickly than you're used to, and needing to rest more often.
By working with your posture and recommending ways to improve the way you stand and walk, a chiropractor can help you redistribute the weight so you don't tire as easily. This will help you carry on with your normal activities while you wait for your new little family member to arrive.