The Benefits of Chiropractic Care During Pregnancy Sep 23 Written By Kailey Byington

During pregnancy, a mother’s body goes through a lot of change. Her body must accommodate for the extra weight of her developing baby, therefore her spine is under more strain than usual. Among the various resources available to support a healthy pregnancy, chiropractic care offers a holistic approach to not only relieve discomfort but also promote overall wellness for both mother and baby.

Here at Keystone Chiropractic in Riverton, UT we specialize in caring for pregnant moms. We offer a unique approach through Neurologically-based Chiropractic care, focusing on the connection between the spine and the nervous system. Chiropractors, like Dr. Jared at Keystone Chiropractic, use specific techniques to carefully and precisely align the spine, thereby reducing nerve interference and promoting optimal nervous system function.

A regulated and well-balanced nervous system is important during pregnancy, as it not only influences the mother’s health but also the well-being of her developing baby. Moms find that being under principled chiropractic care before, during, and after pregnancy can help reduce the typical aches and pains experienced during pregnancy. Prenatal chiropractic care can even reduce labor pains and delivery times!

How do we approach caring for pregnant moms here at Keystone Chiropractic?

Dr. Jared is certified in the Webster Technique, a gentle approach tailored to pregnant moms. This technique helps optimize normal physiological function and results in a more comfortable and easier birth. The Webster technique involves safe, gentle, and effective adjustments, bringing the pelvic bones into alignment and helping the nervous system relax, easing pregnancy pain.

Let’s dive into it more and explore how neurologically-based chiropractic care specifically addresses common aches, pains and issues that affect moms during pregnancy.

Common Health Concerns During Pregnancy

Lower Back Pain. Lower back pain is often the number one complaint during pregnancy. As organs move out of the way, muscles stretch, and the body’s center of gravity shifts, a pregnant mom’s body must grow and adapt to accommodate these changes. This can lead to a lot of strain on the lower back. Luckily, chiropractic care during pregnancy can help relieve lower back pain and help the body adjust, preventing unnecessary aches and pains.

Pelvic Pain. Pelvic pain during pregnancy is caused by a stiffness of the pelvic joints and the joints moving unevenly at either the back or front of the pelvis. Pelvic pain is not harmful to the developing baby, but it can be painful and make it hard to get around. Chiropractors who utilize the Webster Technique can gently adjust the pelvis, ensuring that it's properly aligned. This helps alleviate discomfort and aids in creating the ideal environment for a smoother labor and delivery.

Sciatica. Even in the early months of pregnancy, the growing uterus can cause changes in the body which puts pressure on the sciatic nerve. This pressure can cause sharp shooting pains in the hip, buttocks, and leg. Sciatica can be debilitating, which is why receiving chiropractic care during pregnancy can help relieve this common condition.

Swollen Feet & Ankles. Many pregnant moms develop swollen feet and ankles during pregnancy. This condition is due to pressure on the blood circulation in the lower body and increased water retention. So it might be surprising to hear that chiropractic care can help. But by keeping the spine and nervous system aligned, the body is able to regulate these crucial organ systems the way that it should. This leads to improved blood circulation and reduced swelling.

Round Ligament Pain. As the uterus grows, the ligaments attached to the abdominal wall stretch and adapt. This can cause sharp pain in the lower abdomen or groin area. This condition is known as Round Ligament Pain. By utilizing the Webster Technique, Chiropractors, like Dr. Jared, are able to help loosen and relax this muscle, relieving pressure and giving the uterus necessary room to grow.

Headaches. Experiencing frequent headaches is a common reason many people seek chiropractic care. Tension headaches, especially, respond very well to chiropractic adjustments. However, headaches are often exacerbated in expectant mothers. As their center of gravity moves forward and the head comes forward, extra strain is placed on the neck. When the neck vertebrae are out of alignment they can put pressure on those delicate spinal nerves and that can be a significant cause of headaches. Chiropractic care can correct the alignment of the neck and alleviate the pressure on those nerves, leading to headache relief during pregnancy.

Is Prenatal Chiropractic Care Safe?

It's natural for expectant mothers to be concerned about the safety of chiropractic care during pregnancy. However, studies have shown that chiropractic care is safe throughout all stages of pregnancy. Many moms choose to see chiropractors, who specialize in the Webster Technique, starting within their first trimester, but chiropractic care during any stage of pregnancy is helpful and safe.

The Webster Technique is non-invasive, avoids putting undue pressure on the abdomen, and does not involve medication, making it a safe option for most pregnant women. However, while chiropractic care can be beneficial for high-risk pregnancies, it should be coordinated with an obstetrician or other health care providers.

The Webster Technique

Here at Keystone Chiropractic, we utilize the most specific and researched techniques in the chiropractic profession. Included in these techniques is the Webster Technique. Developed by Dr. Larry Webster, this technique is designed to avoid putting pressure on the abdomen, making it a safe and gentle chiropractic technique that helps bring a pregnant woman’s sacrum and pelvic bones into alignment.

To understand how alignment is achieved, let's look at the anatomy involved. The uterus is positioned inside the pelvic basin, between the hip bones. It is connected to the abdominal wall and sacrum by a set of ligaments. If the sacrum and pelvic bones are misaligned, they can pull on these ligaments, creating tension within the uterus. This tension can make the uterine environment more cramped, restricting the baby’s ability to move freely. The Webster Technique helps chiropractors, like Dr. Jared, to alleviate this tension by realigning the joints and addressing tightness in the muscles and ligaments. When this tension is relieved, the mother’s body can function more effectively, providing the baby with the necessary space to move and turn as needed.

There are many benefits of the Webster Technique, a few include:

-Improved balance in the pelvis

-Reduced interference to the nervous system

-Decreased tension of muscles and ligaments

-Increased potential for a safer and easier birth

Because this adjustment technique involves laying face down on the stomach, we use a support pillow throughout all stages of the pregnancy to ensure both mom and baby are comfortable during the adjustment.

Long-Term Benefits of Chiropractic Care

In conclusion, chiropractic care during pregnancy offers valuable support throughout all stages of pregnancy. Together we can address various challenges and enhance overall well-being for both mother and baby. The physical changes during pregnancy—such as shifts in center of gravity and increased spinal and sacropelvic strain—can lead to common issues like lower back pain, pelvic discomfort, and sciatica. By employing techniques such as the Webster Technique, chiropractors like Dr. Jared, provide a holistic approach to alleviate these discomforts. Regular chiropractic care not only helps in reducing labor pains and delivery times but also contributes to a smoother postnatal recovery. Embracing chiropractic care before, during, and after pregnancy can lead to long-term benefits, including improved spinal health, balanced nervous system function, and a more resilient body capable of adapting to the demands of motherhood. For expectant mothers seeking a natural and effective way to enhance their pregnancy experience, chiropractic care stands out as a supportive and beneficial option.

At Keystone Chiropractic, we are dedicated to helping moms achieve optimal health and well-being throughout their pregnancy. No matter how far along you are in your journey to motherhood, we encourage you or someone you know to experience the difference that neurologically-based chiropractic care can make. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Jared at our Riverton, Utah office today!