Chiropractic Santa Barbara knows that you probably have many questions about your body during your pregnancy, and you may be wondering if it is a good idea to get your spine checked while you are pregnant. The answer is a big, healthy “Yes!” In fact, it’s a wise decision to not only get your spine checked, but to get adjusted while you are pregnant.
You’ve probably noticed that your body is going through many changes, and these changes will continue as your pregnancy progresses. One change that goes basically unnoticed is your body’s increased production of the hormone elastin. This hormone is designed to relax the tendons in the pelvis. This relaxation allows the pelvis more flexibility during the birthing process to make delivering the baby easier.
This process, despite the wonderful benefit of assisting the mother during labor, can create a lot of back pain in the months leading up to the birth. As your pregnancy advances, more elastin is released, which makes your pelvis increasingly more unstable. Add to this process the gradual increase in the size of your baby and uterus, and you have the formula for severe low back pain. As a chiropractor I see many pregnant women in my clinic for a variety of symptoms, but usually it is for their low back pain.
A bonus to seeing a chiropractor routinely during your pregnancy is that there is proof that it can actually decrease labor time. Why do chiropractic adjustments help? Simply put, if the pelvis is aligned properly, the muscles contracting during the labor process are more efficient and won’t have to strain against misaligned joints.
Not only can chiropractic help you with your low back pain and other associated symptoms, such as heartburn, nausea, swelling, etc., but it is safe for both you and your baby. In addition, should the need arise, a trained chiropractor can assist a mother who has a breached baby. This is done by using the Webster Technique, a low force technique to manipulate the uterus and get the baby into the proper presentation for delivery. A simple Google search on the Webster Technique can give you much more information.
To summarize: Not only is chiropractic safe for pregnant women and their baby, it is also very beneficial in helping with the symptoms associated with their pregnancy. If you are pregnant, I highly recommend that you go to see your Santa Barbara chiropractor. Chiropractic care can make you feel a lot more comfortable during your pregnancy, and make your labor process easier.
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