A prenatal chiropractor is a natural and holistic way to reduce pain during pregnancy. During pregnancy, there are many physical and hormonal changes that occur in the body. This are essential in order to develop the baby and prepare the body for birth. 

Although these changes in the body are important, they can cause pain and discomfort throughout pregnancy. Chiropractic treatments such as spinal adjustments and soft tissue work can provide pain relief in the hips, pelvis and back. Chiropractors can provide these treatments while avoiding placing pressure on the abdomen. 

Studies show that 88% of pregnant women’s symptoms improved following chiropractic care. Here are the top ten ways that chiropractic care can help reduce pain during pregnancy.  

1. Helps relieve pain caused by pregnancy  

Chiropractic care can help reduce back pain, neck pain, sciatic and hip pain. It can also help to eliminate round ligament pain which is an uncomfortable sensation in the abdomen, near the hips and reduce piriformis syndrome, which is pain and numbness in your buttocks and down the back of your leg. It has also been shown to reduce headaches in both prenatal and postpartum patients.  

2. Easier delivery and reduced labor time  

A prenatal chiropractor can help prepare your body for an easier delivery. A chiropractor will prescribe a series of rehabilitative exercises that will help strengthen the body and prepare it for birth. It can also help ensure proper alignment of the spine, hips and pelvis creating the most optimal positions for mom and baby.  

3. Speeds up recovery postpartum  

Chiropractic care can help provide postpartum pain relief. Chiropractic care can treat diastasis recti, postpartum back and neck pain, hip pain, and pubic symphysis dysfunction following delivery.  

Postpartum chiropractors can also help you establish an individualized treatment plan that will work to not only correct any misalignments or imbalances but work to restrengthen the muscles to provide proper healing.  

4. Can help prevent diastasis recti  

Diastasis recti occurs in pregnant and postpartum women when the ab muscles separate during pregnancy. The muscles are stretched in order to make room for the baby. Once the baby is delivered, the elastic band of tissue should heal and come back together. However, when the band is overstretched it can lose some of its elasticity and does not close as much as it should, which is called diastasis recti.    

Prenatal customized treatment plans that include pregnancy safe exercises work to strengthen the core and prevent extensive separating. A chiropractor can also work with you postpartum to safely re-establish your pelvic floor and strengthen your core.  

5. Establish pelvic and spinal alignment  

Chiropractors can use manual adjustments to ensure that your spine, hips and pelvis are in optimal alignment. This will create the most comfortable positioning for you and baby during pregnancy and delivery.  

When the spinal column is out of alignment, it can have a serious effect on nerve response creating more sensitivity and pain.  

In addition, chiropractic adjustments can ensure that moms maintain pelvic alignment and balance which can help prevent a breech delivery. A breech delivery is when the baby is feet first instead of head first. By creating optimal pelvic alignment throughout pregnancy, this allows for enough room for the baby to move around and find the correct head-first delivery position.

6. Improve body mechanics  

A prenatal chiropractor can help correct posture and other body mechanic related issues. Body mechanics describe how we do every day things including sitting, standing, lifting, carrying, bending, etc. Maintaining proper posture is important as your body continues to grow and change. It can also help prevent injury when lifting, carrying and bending down.  

7. Increases energy  

Reducing aches and pains and eliminating stress on the body can help increase energy throughout pregnancy. Adjustments and soft tissue work can help bring blood and oxygen into the muscles so can repair and adapt and the body changes.  

8. More comfortable pregnancy  

One of the main goals of prenatal chiropractic care is to help find a natural solution to pain during pregnancy. The sooner you start prenatal chiropractic treatments the better the chiropractor can help adjust different areas of the body as they begin to change as the pregnancy develops.  

9. Boosts overall mood 

Let’s face it… if you’re in constant pain there is probably a chance you aren’t in a great mood. By providing pain relief and comfort during pregnancy, chiropractic treatments can help boost overall mood. This is true for any patient! Pain relief is important not just for your physical health but also for your mental and emotional wellbeing!  

10. Reduce spinal nerve stress  

Chiropractic care can help reduce spinal nerve stress caused by pregnancy through manual adjustments and soft tissue work. Changes in hormones, weight, and posture can all have an effect on the spinal column. This can cause misalignment and lower back pain.  

In addition, stress of the spinal column can make the body more susceptible to sickness and disease. During pregnancy, it is extremely important to maintain health as much as possible to protect mom and baby. By ensuring the spine is in proper alignment, you can help strengthen the immune systems and reduce the chance of getting sick.  

Get Treated at Kaizo Health    

Our goal at Kaizo Health is to always get you back to feeling 100%. Our doctors provide treatment to help you be pain-free. We also have a dedicated team that will work with you and your insurance. We want to make sure you get the most from your benefits. You should experience relief for as little cost to you as possible. If you are ready to experience relief from the pain, make an appointment to see us now.        

Kaizo Health offers locations in Rockville, MD; Landover, MD; Fort Washington, MD; and Fairfax, VA. Our doctors an evidence-based approach by combining chiropractic care and individualized rehabilitative exercises. We provide the treatment and resources you need to recover your health. We are here to help! If you’d like more information, check out our blog. You can also take our free virtual self-assessment on app here.