Pregnancy & Chiropractic Care: a Must
Pregnancy is a beautiful journey that brings with it a lot of physical stress and discomfort. That’s where I can help.
As the body adjusts to the growing baby, many women experience back pain, neck pain, and other common discomforts. While many may turn to pain medication or other interventions, there's another option that's both safe and effective: chiropractic care.
Chiropractic care during pregnancy can help alleviate pain, improve mobility, and even support a smoother delivery. But what exactly is chiropractic care, and how does it benefit pregnant women?
In this article, we'll explore the benefits of chiropractic care during pregnancy, and how it can help support a healthier, happier pregnancy. If you're a mom-to-be looking for ways to ease the discomforts of pregnancy and chiropractic care interests you, read on to discover why chiropractic care is a must for moms in Portland.
Pregnancy and Chiropractic Care Benefits
Chiropractic care during pregnancy is a safe and effective way to alleviate pregnancy-related discomforts. It can help improve mobility, reduce pain, and even support a smoother delivery. Here are some of the benefits of chiropractic care during pregnancy:
1. Alleviates Back Pain and Discomfort
During pregnancy, the body goes through a lot of changes, including weight gain, hormonal changes, and postural adjustments. These changes can lead to misalignments in the spine, which can cause back pain and discomfort. Chiropractic care can help realign the spine, reducing pressure on the nerves and easing back pain and discomfort.
2. Improves Pelvic Alignment
The pelvis is an important part of the body during pregnancy, as it's responsible for supporting the growing baby and facilitating delivery. As the baby grows, the pelvis may become misaligned, causing discomfort and even difficulty during delivery. Chiropractic adjustments can help realign the pelvis, improving comfort during pregnancy and supporting a smoother delivery.
3. Reduces Nausea and Headaches
Many women experience nausea and headaches during pregnancy, which can be caused by hormonal changes and physical stress. Chiropractic care can help alleviate these symptoms by reducing physical stress on the body and improving overall wellness.
4. Supports a Healthy Pregnancy
Chiropractic care during pregnancy can help support overall wellness and a healthy pregnancy. By reducing physical stress on the body, improving mobility, and supporting proper alignment, chiropractic care can help women have a more comfortable and enjoyable pregnancy.
Chiropractic Care for Common Pregnancy-Related Issues
Chiropractic care can help alleviate many common pregnancy-related issues. Here are some of the most common issues that chiropractic care can help with:
1. Back Pain and Sciatica
Back pain and sciatica are common during pregnancy, and can be caused by the weight gain and postural changes that come with pregnancy. Chiropractic care can help alleviate these symptoms by realigning the spine and reducing pressure on the nerves.
2. Pelvic Pain
Pelvic pain is common during pregnancy, and can be caused by the misalignment of the pelvis. Chiropractic adjustments can help realign the pelvis, reducing discomfort and supporting a smoother delivery.
3. Round Ligament Pain
The round ligaments support the uterus during pregnancy, and can become stretched and painful as the uterus grows. Chiropractic care can help alleviate this pain by reducing tension in the ligaments and improving overall pelvic alignment.
4. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common pregnancy-related issue that can cause numbness and pain in the hands and wrists. Chiropractic care can help alleviate this symptom by reducing pressure on the nerves in the wrist and improving overall alignment.
Safety of Chiropractic Care during Pregnancy
Chiropractic care is a safe and effective way to alleviate pregnancy-related discomforts. Chiropractors are trained to work with pregnant women and use techniques that are safe for both the mother and the baby. In fact, chiropractic care is considered one of the safest forms of healthcare available.
Chiropractors use gentle techniques to adjust the spine and pelvis, and they avoid using any techniques that could cause harm to the mother or the baby. They also use special tables and equipment to accommodate the pregnant body and ensure the mother's comfort during treatment.
When to Seek Chiropractic Care during Pregnancy
Chiropractic care can be beneficial at any stage of pregnancy. Many women start seeking chiropractic care in the first trimester, as this is when discomforts such as nausea and headaches are most common. However, chiropractic care can be helpful throughout the entire pregnancy, as it can help support overall wellness and a healthy pregnancy.
It's important to note that chiropractic care is not a substitute for medical care during pregnancy. Your ultimate wellness during pregnancy is a team effort. Women should continue to see their OB/GYN or midwife for regular check-ups and prenatal care.
As your pregnancy chiropractor, I can offer you the most comprehensive pregnancy chiropractic services in Portland for fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum pain relief.
What to Expect During a Chiropractic Visit for Pregnancy
During a chiropractic visit for pregnancy, the chiropractor will take a thorough medical history and perform a physical exam. They will then use gentle techniques to adjust the spine and pelvis, focusing on areas that are misaligned or causing discomfort.
Chiropractors may also recommend exercises and stretches to help support a healthy pregnancy and alleviate discomforts. They may also offer nutritional and lifestyle advice to help women have a healthy pregnancy and prepare for delivery.
Chiropractic Techniques for Pregnancy
Chiropractors use a variety of techniques to adjust the spine and pelvis during pregnancy. Some of the most common techniques used during pregnancy include:
1. Webster Technique
The Webster Technique is a specific chiropractic technique that focuses on realigning the pelvis and reducing tension in the round ligaments. This technique can help alleviate pelvic pain and support a smoother delivery.
2. Activator Method
The Activator Method is a gentle and precise technique that uses a small hand-held instrument to adjust the spine. This technique is safe for pregnant women and can help alleviate back pain and discomfort.
3. Diversified Technique
The Diversified Technique is a manual technique that involves hands-on adjustments of the spine and pelvis. This technique is safe for pregnant women and can help alleviate a variety of pregnancy-related discomforts.
Best Pregnancy Wellness Tips From Dr Jen Wilhelm
In addition to chiropractic care, there are many other things women can do to support a healthy and comfortable pregnancy. Here are some tips for a healthy pregnancy:
1. Exercise regularly
Regular exercise can help reduce discomforts during pregnancy and support overall wellness. Women should talk to their OB/GYN or midwife about safe exercises during pregnancy.
2. Eat a healthy diet
Eating a balanced and healthy diet can help support a healthy pregnancy and prepare for delivery. Women should talk to their healthcare provider about a healthy diet during pregnancy.
3. Practice stress-reducing techniques
Stress can exacerbate pregnancy-related discomforts. Women should practice stress-reducing techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or yoga to help reduce stress and improve overall wellness.
4. Get enough sleep
Getting enough sleep is important during pregnancy, as it can help reduce discomforts and support overall wellness. Women should aim for 7-8 hours of sleep per night.
Finding The Right Chiropractor for Pregnancy
When looking for a chiropractor for pregnancy, it's important to find one who is experienced in working with pregnant women. Look for a chiropractor who has additional training in prenatal care and who uses gentle techniques that are safe for both the mother and the baby.
Many chiropractors offer free consultations, which can be a good way to meet the chiropractor and ask any questions you may have. Women should also check with their insurance provider to see if chiropractic care is covered during pregnancy.
Conclusion
Chiropractic care is a safe and effective way to alleviate pregnancy-related discomforts and support a healthy pregnancy. By improving overall wellness, reducing pain and discomfort, and supporting proper alignment, chiropractic care can help women have a more comfortable and enjoyable pregnancy. If you're a mom-to-be looking for ways to ease the discomforts of pregnancy, consider chiropractic care as a safe and effective option.
Hi there! I'm Dr. Jen Wilhelm, DC, and I've been helping people achieve better health for over 30 years. My passion for chiropractic care goes beyond just treating pain, it's about empowering the community to take control of their health through education and personalized pain management.
My approach to care is gentle yet effective, and I use a combination of several tools to get the best results. From shockwave therapy to craniosacral and cranial osteopathic manipulation, chiropractic adjustments to restore proper bio-mechanical motion of the spine, massage therapy, activator, drop table and bio-geometrical integration – I've got a toolbox that's always expanding.
I'm also certified in the Webster Approach and believe in a holistic approach to overall wellness. My intention is to provide my patients with the highest level of care and support them in achieving their health goals.
When I'm not helping my patients, you can find me hiking in the beautiful Oregon wilderness or teaching group health classes. Let's connect and see how we can work together to achieve your health goals!
