Pregnancy is a special time in a woman’s life, and entails many changes physically, mentally and emotionally. It is discouraging when the excitement of preparing for the birth of your baby is overshadowed by pregnancy pain. Usually, women will experience low back pain or some form of constant discomfort during and after their pregnancy due to physical changes, hormonal imbalances, and circulatory changes to the body.
A normal pregnancy weight gain of 20-40 lbs is enough to put stress on the lower back. An expanding belly can increase the natural curvature of the low back (lumbar lordosis). This can in turn affect posture and the biomechanics of the body as it tries to overcompensate to regain balance. In addition, abdominal muscles stretch to accommodate the baby, and the back will be left to support the increasing weight.
Relaxin is a hormone that increases 10 times during pregnancy to help soften the pelvic region for birth. In turn, the relaxed muscles can contribute to the pain and discomfort. Blood volume can increase 50%, which can lead to inflammation and water retention.
Chiropractic care can help with reducing the stress being applied to the mother’s spine and pelvic region, and also reducing reliance on medications. Besides soft tissue therapy and gentle adjustments, chiropractors can provide advice on nutrition, exercise, and lifestyle advice to help women enjoy a healthy pregnancy. Chiropractors often treat the patients throughout the course of the pregnancy and after to ensure there is proper spinal alignment and make sure the course of pregnancy is as pain-free as possible.
At the appointment, we will provide a special pregnancy pillow so you can like face down on the wide accommodating chiropractic table. The pillow has a cut-out in the center so your body is supported and your baby (and belly) has room.
Soft tissue therapy is often performed to relax any tense muscles. Chiropractic adjustments are soft and gentle. Stretches are done in between to problem areas to help relieve tight muscles and stiff joints.
Chiropractic treatments can help women enjoy a healthy and more comfortable pregnancy.
Massage can help ease pregnancy-related discomfort such as back pain, swelling, and muscle tension, while also promoting relaxation and reducing stress and anxiety for the mother-to-be. To read more about the benifits of massage click here.
Give us a call at (604) 496-0626, email at
info@paradisechiropractic.ca, or book online at https://paradisechiropractic.janeapp.com