Chiropractic Care During Pregnancy
Reducing Low Back Pain and Sciatica
Your pregnancy and the delivery of your baby is likely to be one of the most memorable and life-changing events of your life. As wonderful as pregnancy is, your joy can quickly become interrupted if you suddenly find yourself in pain. Even if you have never experienced back pain prior to becoming pregnant, the significant changes in your body can set the stage for another (unexpected) new arrival. According to The American Pregnancy Association, back pain is experienced by 50-70% of pregnant women. It can interfere with your daily activities, making it difficult to sit, stand, sleep, work, or care for other children. However, there is much that you can do to treat, as well as prevent, back pain from disturbing you during this wondrous time.
What causes back pain?
Many of the changes that are happening to your body while pregnant can set the stage for potential onset of low back pain or sciatica (back pain that travels down into hips, buttocks or legs.) First of all, there are some very obvious changes in anatomy and posture. As your baby grows and your bump gets larger, your center of gravity will continuously shift forward. This, along with the weight of your growing baby, places additional strain on your low back. It is one of the main reasons why women will experience pain during pregnancy. As your body prepares for delivery, your pelvis will also be shifting. One of the many amazing things that your body will do in preparation for delivery is release a hormone called relaxin. It allows the pelvic ligaments to soften, and the joints to have the increased mobility required for delivery.
The increased laxity of ligaments, caused by hormonal changes, can create a situation of instability. The bones of the spine and pelvis can even move out of position. When this happens, they can put pressure on the surrounding nerves and cause inflammation in the tissues. This condition is called subluxation. When subluxations are present, neither the spine nor the nerves involved can function properly. When there is subluxation coupled with the growth of the baby, the result is often low back pain. This can trigger pain in the hip, buttocks, or thigh if the nerves involved include the sciatic nerve, which passes through the pelvis and into the leg.
How to get relief from back pain during pregnancy
Pregnancy and birth are natural processes. It is always best to treat discomforts associated with them as naturally as possible. The best treatment is one that corrects, rather than masks, the problem. Finding the area of instability, or subluxation, and correcting it is the most effective treatment. This can only be done by a chiropractor. Chiropractors reduce subluxations by making adjustments to the spine and pelvis. This keeps the pelvis in alignment, which can reduce pain as well as reduce interference on the mother's nervous system. Additionally, massage therapy can provide relief of sore and tense muscles associated with pregnancy. Seek out practitioners who are properly trained and certified in providing care to pregnant women. It is important that you feel comfortable and supported through this process. The International Chiropractic Pediatric Association provides training to doctors, as well as resources for expectant mothers.
Prevention is key!
Although back pain is not entirely preventable, following these steps may help minimize the occurrence and severity of an episode. Start by getting plenty of rest. Eliminate or reduce stress as much as possible while pregnant, as stress increases your likelihood of complications. Daily exercises such as walking, swimming, or prenatal yoga are great. They can help combat stress, as well as support and strengthen the back and abdomen. Kegel exercises are useful in strengthening the muscles of the pelvic floor, which is very important, especially in the late stages of pregnancy. Get approval first by your health care provider before starting a new exercise routine. And lastly, seek the support of a prenatal massage therapist and chiropractor. You will be glad that you did!