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Prenatal Chiropractic in Aurora

Woman with pregnancy discomfortBack and pelvic pain are very common with pregnant mothers. Many physical and hormonal changes happen when you are pregnant that can contribute to low back and pelvic pain. A growing baby leads to several changes in your spinal posture due to how you may be holding the increase in weight. You may then modify your daily activities to compensate for the increased weight due to the increased pressure on different parts of the spine. A growing fetus can increase the curve in the lower back which will lead to pain and instability.

As you get closer to your due date, your body will begin releasing a hormone called Relaxin. This allows your pelvis to accommodate the birth process, but it can also cause instability and pain in your joints and spine.

When you’re working with a chiropractor during your pregnancy, we will make sure we heed the warning signals and catch any small problem before it gets worse.

Chiropractic care is a natural, drug-free, proactive form of care. Instead of using medications with concerning and harmful side effects, chiropractic care relies on the natural processes of the body, the way we were designed.

A Comprehensive Consultation and Exam

A full history and focused pregnancy exam are crucial to our care plan. We’ll discuss past pregnancies and how the current pregnancy is progressing. We will review what trimester the mother is currently in and any noticeable changes to their health whether it be with their spine, sleep patterns, energy, digestion, anything that could be affected by the pregnancy.

Based on the history and exam, your doctor will conduct orthopedic and range of motion tests in addition to any other type of neurological exams that may be pertinent to the issue they’re experiencing. The main goal is always to uncover the underlying cause of the problem. By correcting the cause and not the symptoms we can make sure that the issue doesn’t get worse over time and affect not only the mother but the baby as well.

Specific Chiropractic Care

In our office, adjustments are very important because the increased stress on the body along with the increased weight of the baby will make any weaknesses in the spine more pronounced. We want to decrease the pressure on the nerves that is preventing the body from communicating effectively with the brain. Relieving nerve pressure will allow your spine to function properly. We take special care and use specific techniques when working with pregnant moms to accommodate the growing baby.

Webster Technique

At Buchar Family Chiropractic, we have doctors that are specialized in the Webster Technique. It’s a specific technique that analyzes and adjusts the spine to reduce interference in the nervous system. This will improve the functioning of the pelvic muscles and ligaments leading to a reduction in the mother’s uterine constraint and allow the fetus the best opportunity to be positioned for a healthy birth. We want to avoid a breech birth or any position that won’t allow for a natural birth.

Massage Therapy and Soft Tissue Work

Massage therapy works very well with pregnant patients. We want to loosen any tight muscles, especially the psoas muscle, to allow the spine to move properly. Massage also helps to hold the chiropractic adjustments better. As the pelvis and low back change, it’s important to address any muscles that are being pulled or shortened, whether that’s the hamstrings, the piriformis, or the hip flexors.

We use special accommodations like pads and pregnancy pillows so pregnant women can receive massage therapy comfortably, even later in their pregnancy. Beyond pain relief, massage also helps with sleep and anxiety by relieving the stress of a new or soon-to-be mother.

Logan Basic

Logan Basic is a specific chiropractic adjustment that works very well with pregnant patients. Logan basic, one of the lowest force adjustment techniques, is a system of assessing body mechanics with special emphasis on pelvic and spinal distortions and the subluxation that affect the spinal structures. It will look at the sacrum, the sacrotuberous ligament, and other ligament structures applying gentle pressure to relax the spine and accept the adjustment.

Custom Pregnancy Exercise Plan

We provide custom exercise plans to address muscular instability and balance. These exercises will help stabilize your low back and pelvis, including any issues with the pelvic floor. We can perform a functional assessment that dives even deeper into any therapeutic exercise issues. We provide strength training in our office, as well as creating home plans to make exercise more time effective for each patient.


Acupuncture

Many pregnant women have symptoms that may cause them discomfort. Acupuncture is a safe and effective way to help relieve these symptoms. Besides providing relief for the mother, research shows that one acupuncture session a month during pregnancy can greatly improve your health and the health of your baby! Acupuncture during pregnancy may help: reduce sciatica and back pain, strengthen the baby and mother’s immunity, increase the APGAR score, improve blood flow to the umbilical artery, and create a more pleasurable birthing experience.

Nutrition Supplementation

Supplements are critical to pregnant patients. We want a diet that focuses on supporting not only the mother’s health but the baby’s as well. Our supplementation focus will be on non-allergenic foods that will aid the mother’s digestion and the growth of the baby. We will recommend foods with healthy fats and high nutrient density, as well as identifying any nutrient deficiencies that should be addressed for the mother and baby.

  • Low Back Pain: Low back pain is very common during pregnancy, due to extreme changes in physiology. Weight gain can result in posture changes, hormonal changes, stress, and muscle separation. In our office, we focus on solutions like stretching and exercise, acupuncture, hot and cold therapies, and chiropractic adjustments.
  • Pelvic Pain: Pelvic pain is another common condition we will see in our offices. Pelvic pain may be due to the stretching ligaments, changing hormone levels, organs moving to accommodate a growing uterus, round ligament pain, diastasis recti pressure from the baby’s weight, an ovarian cyst, or Braxton Hicks contractions. It’s important to know the difference between the normal aches and pains of pregnancy and more severe pain as a warning sign of something worse. That’s why it’s so important to be evaluated in the office.
  • Symphysis Pubis Disorder (SPD): 60% of women experience pain in the symphysis pubis. The hormone, Relaxin, relaxes ligaments to increase the range of motion for childbirth leading to instability and pain. We will evaluate the mother for any pelvic rotation that could be attributed to her SPD and treat according to the pelvic deficiencies found.
  • Round Ligament Pain: 10% to 30% of pregnant women will experience round ligament pain during their first and second trimesters. Aches, cramps, or sharp stabbing pain can be a result of the stretching and tightening of the round ligament. Chiropractic care can help by adjusting the pelvis, sacrum and applying focused pressure on the round ligament.
  • Breech Baby: A breech baby is when a baby is born in an improper position. When a baby is in a breech presentation, it increases the risk of harm to the baby and mother. The goal of chiropractic care is to turn the baby naturally or to assist the baby in positioning itself correctly to ensure smooth labor.
  • Sciatica: The sciatic nerve runs from the lower back down both legs. Sciatica is when that nerve is compressed and sends shooting pain down into the legs. It can be very debilitating. In pregnant women, sciatica is usually the result of weight gain, fluid retention, uterus expansion, a shifting center of gravity, or the baby’s position. The risk of sciatica increases with the first pregnancy as well as shifting hormonal levels, stress, and fatigue. To limit sciatic nerve pain you should decrease your stress level, take it slow and allow the body time to heal. In the office, sciatica from pregnancy can be relieved through massage, acupuncture, and chiropractic adjustments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is chiropractic care safe during pregnancy?

Chiropractic care is completely safe during pregnancy. It is one of the most natural ways we can work with your body to ensure a successful pregnancy and labor, for mother and child.

When should you start seeing a chiropractor during pregnancy?

Before you even begin planning for pregnancy, though any time during the pregnancy is valuable. The earlier the better. Adjustments may change based on the status and progress of your pregnancy.

Can chiropractic adjustments cause a miscarriage?

No. It is one of the safest treatments you could possibly do for yourself and your baby.

Can you go to the chiropractor in the first trimester?

Yes, you can. It’s never too late to visit a chiropractor, even during pregnancy. Your adjustments may change based on how far along you are and how your spine accepts the different types of adjustments.

Is it normal to have lower back pain in early pregnancy?

It is common, but it is definitely not normal. We are specialized in treating pregnant women and providing care that will prevent pain in pregnant women.

Learn More Today

If you’re wondering if chiropractic care can benefit you and your baby, we’d love to speak with you. Contact our team today to find out how effective and gentle adjustments are with the focused Webster technique.

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Prenatal Chiropractic Aurora, Naperville IL | Buchar Family Chiropractic