What does a chiropractor do for pregnancy?

What Is a Chiropractor?

A chiropractor is usually a type of physician that focuses on diagnosing and treating both back and neck pain. Chiropractors are considered by most as primary care physicians as chiropractors are a popular first choice when someone comes across any back or neck pain. Chiropractors treat patients with complications or pains in the body’s muscular, nervous, and skeletal systems, but focus on the spine or back.

Chiropractors treat their patients’, misaligned joints of the spinal column, discs, related nerves to treat the entire spine. Chiropractors are also sports injury doctors for many.

Is Chiropractic Care During Your Pregnancy Safe?

So far, no complications or contradictions have been found to occur when women take chiropractic care throughout their pregnancy. All chiropractors are even specially trained to take care of and treat pregnant women. Investing time into a women’s health, fertility, and pregnancy wellness for women who are attempting to conceive is routine and common for a chiropractor. 

Although most chiropractors are content with their general and basic training for natal care, some take an interest in the art of both pre and postnatal care and seek additional training. There are even some that work to treat infertility and overall pregnancy wellness. Below are some represented designations that some practice for these types of advanced treatments.

• DACCP- Diplomate with ICPA that represents the highest level of advanced training
• CACCP- Certified with ICPA showing high-level training
• Member of ICPA Reflecting Special Interest Webster Certified- Specifically and specially trained to work on a woman’s pelvic balance throughout the pregnancy

Chiropractors also have specialized tools to assist them in promoting pregnancy wellness. For instance, chiropractors trained in assisting pregnant women may use tables that adjust to a pregnant woman’s body, and make sure to use techniques that do not apply any unneeded pressure to the abdomen. 

Any chiropractors skilled in the field of assisting pregnant women may also provide you with a variety of exercises and stretches that are safe to use during the pregnancy. 

For example, our Wilmington Massage Therapists are able to perform prenatal massage.

Why Should I Use Chiropractic Care?

Throughout the pregnancy, there are bound to be several physiological and endocrinological changes (these changes relate to hormones) that will occur to create the right environment for a baby to be safely produced, and a skilled chiropractor can assist in healthily and painlessly moving you through the process of creating that safe environment for your child. 

Some negative changes could take place during the pregnancy as a result of a misaligned spine or misaligned joints such as,

• A protruding abdomen, and increasing curve of the back
• Changes to the pelvis
• Postural Adaptations

Another reason to get chiropractic care during the pregnancy is to form proper pelvic alignment and balance. If the pelvis is misaligned during the child’s development, then the amount of room for the developing baby may be heavily restricted, which is called intrauterine constraint. The misaligned pelvis may also make for delivery with more pain than needed or may not allow the baby to enter the best position for their delivery. 

A proper, correctly aligned pelvis allows for a non-invasive, and natural birth, Certain positions such as breech or posterior positions may interfere with a natural ease of labor and could lead to more complications which may need interventions or even a c-section. 

One other reason to introduce chiropractic care into your prenatal care is that it will keep the spine properly aligned, which just helps your body run much more efficiently overall.

Chiropractic care will also take care of some everyday problems that are almost impossible to avoid and help with

• Keeping nausea in check and under control
• Insuring for a healthier pregnancy
• Reducing the time of painful labor and/or delivery
• Relieving minor back, neck or joint pains
• Preventing a possible cesarean delivery (C-section)

Chiropractic care is incredibly helpful for your health and your baby’s during your pregnancy, and with little to no downsides, as well as plentiful upsides, it may be beneficial to look into chiropractic care if you have the ability to pay for or attend most meetings with your chiropractor.