Chiropractic Care and Pregnancy: Back Pain Relief for Expectant Mothers

If you are pregnant, then you know that your body is going through a lot of incredible changes to accommodate your growing baby. And while these changes are necessary to bring your new bundle of joy into the world, they can cause all sorts of unexpected aches and pains. Many of my pregnant patients are surprised by the amount of pain they feel, usually in the: 

• Lower back
• Sacroiliac joint (your hips)
• Neck and shoulders
• Sciatic nerve (from your hips down your thighs)

Fortunately, chiropractic care can help relieve these pains safely and naturally. In this post, I’ll explain why pregnant bodies experience these pains, how chiropractic care works to relieve pain, and the benefits of receiving chiropractic adjustments during pregnancy.

Why Do Pregnant Bodies Experience Pain?

A woman’s body is designed to grow a baby, but this incredible feat comes with some unpleasant side effects. For example, the extra weight of your growing belly puts a lot of strain on your lower back. As you try to adjust to this weight, your posture and the way you walk changes. This can lead to pain in your lower back, hips, neck, shoulders, and more. 

Another change that happens during pregnancy comes from your hormones. When you’re carrying a baby, your body produces more of a hormone called relaxin. This hormone helps to loosen the joints and ligaments in your pelvis so that your baby can pass through the birth canal more easily. However, this same hormone also causes instability in other joints throughout your body, which can lead to pain and balance issues. 

What Is Chiropractic Care?

Chiropractic care is a natural, holistic approach to health care that focuses on the musculoskeletal and nervous systems. It’s based on the simple idea that your body is extremely capable of healing itself if all its parts are working together well. When parts of your body are not working well together, or not communicating, it’s usually due to misalignment of the spine or other joints. 

Your body relies on its nervous system for most of its daily operation, including healing. What we chiropractors do is adjust your spine and other areas to restore their proper alignment so that your nervous system can do its job. Not only does this help your body parts function and communicate well with each other, but it also is proven to reduce chronic aches and pains.

Benefits of Chiropractic Care During Pregnancy

Chiropractic care is a safe and effective way to relieve pain during pregnancy. I have worked with many pregnant women in my career, and one for one, a gentle pregnancy adjustment has helped relieve their pains and improved their overall wellbeing. Chiropractic adjustments during pregnancy can help to:

• Relieve pains in your neck, back, and hips
• Align the pelvis for an easier delivery
• Relieve Sciatica…… A condition of a pinched nerve of your lower back
• Prevent potential complications during pregnancy and delivery

Are Chiropractic Adjustments During Pregnancy Safe?

Yes, adjustments during pregnancy are gentle enough that it’s safe for both you and your growing baby. When you see me for a pregnancy adjustment, I not only take extra care to do small, gentle adjustments, but I also have a special table that accommodates pregnant stomachs. This means you can lie comfortably on your stomach during treatment without putting pressure on your little one. 

Visit Mattingly Chiropractic for Pregnancy Adjustments

If you are pregnant and struggling with pain, I invite you to visit me for a pregnancy adjustment. I can also provide Pressure Point Therapy, which is a simple and fast way to relieve pain along your nerve channels to help your body relax. 

Call us at (314) 408-6825 to schedule your appointment today.