The Benefits Of Seeing A Chiropractor Throughout Your Pregnancy
When you are pregnant, it is important to take care of yourself. Sometimes, this means a little more than simply eating and sleeping well. It can also mean seeing the chiropractor for regular adjustments. Unless your OBGYN advises you otherwise, it is typically considered safe for women to receive chiropractic care during pregnancy. And in fact, chiropractic care has a few distinct benefits for pregnant women and their babies.
Relief from back pain
This is probably the most obvious one: chiropractic care can help alleviate and reduce back pain during pregnancy. Many pregnant women deal with lower back pain as a result of their ever-growing abdomen pulling forward on the spine. A chiropractor can adjust the spine in order to create more space between the vertebrae in this area. This will help ease the pain in your lower back and will likely increase your mobility in the area as well. Some women even find that adjustments help ease pain in their buttocks, hips, and thighs. Often, this pain actually originates in the back and just radiates out.
Less stress
Even if you are overjoyed about being pregnant, having a baby does come with some level of stress. You may be worried about bills, decorating, finding childcare, changes in your job, and so forth. Women often find that having a chiropractic adjustment helps ease their stress. This is good for your baby, too, since stress during pregnancy has been tied to certain fetal health problems.
Reduced nausea
Feeling nauseous during pregnancy is quite common. Your nausea may be due, in part, to the pressure that your spine is placing on certain nerves associated with the digestive tract. A chiropractor can adjust the spine to relieve this pressure, which can ease your feelings of nausea. You may experience fewer bouts of morning sickness or have fewer food aversions as a result.
Easier labor
If you have chiropractic adjustments during pregnancy, you may maintain more strength and flexibility in your back. This can make it easier for you to labor when the time comes. You may be able to get into a more comfortable position or push more effectively. Some women find that their labors are shorter with chiropractic care than without.
If you are pregnant, seeing a chiropractor is a valuable thing you can do for your own health and for the health of your baby. Talk to a chiropractor to learn more about the specific techniques they use when adjusting pregnant women.