Chiropractor for Pregnancy in Glen Carbon

When most of us think about medical care during pregnancy, an obstetrician/gynecologist comes to mind. While these specialized doctors are often used during pregnancy and delivery, their area of expertise is often deeply rooted in traditional Western medicine with a focus on pharmaceuticals, technological interventions (such as cesarean sections), and a narrow view of reproductive systems as distinct from other systems in the body.

Many moms want this kind of expertise on their side during pregnancy. However, it might surprise you to know that one of the most common types of supplemental healthcare women seek during pregnancy is upper cervical chiropractic care.

Fewer Complications and Faster Recovery

Prenatal chiropractic care has been shown to result in fewer complications during birth. In addition, seeing a chiropractor during pregnancy may reduce labor time. Post-delivery chiropractic care can reduce your recovery time, getting you back on your feet sooner so you can enjoy the new addition to your family.

Relief from Lower Back Pain During Pregnancy

Many people believe that lower back pain is an inevitable part of pregnancy. Many mothers are told to accept it as simply a natural part of pregnancy. While it is true that perfectly normal changes in the body during pregnancy can lead to lower back pain, it isn’t a symptom that should simply be ignored.

As a fetus develops during gestation, changes occur throughout the body including the sacroiliac joints, pelvic structures, and muscles supporting the lumbar spine can all contribute to lower back pain. In addition, the growing weight can place extra stress on intervertebral discs and facet joints.

The added strain on muscles and joints can be painful as well as damaging to the rest of the spine all the way up to the upper cervical region of the spine, the last two vertebrae in the neck.

Of course, many moms are rightly worried about taking prescription or over the counter pain medications while pregnant. And, for good reason. However, this leads many to believe that nothing can be done about lower back pain.

However, this just isn’t true! Chiropractic care offers patients relief from back pain by correcting subtle misalignments that occur as the body adjusts to its new passenger. Studies have reported that as many as 94% of pregnant women who use a chiropractor report a significant decrease in lower back pain as a result.

The Webster Technique

In cases where the baby has not moved into an optimal position for delivery by 36 weeks, your OBGYN may recommend a procedure called “external cephalic version.” This procedure involves attempting to manipulate the position of the baby in the womb using pressure from the outside of the abdomen.

Although this procedure can prevent a breech birth and potentially avoid a caesarian section as well as other complications, it also comes with significant risks. Although relatively rare, risks can include abruption of placenta, tangling of the umbilical cord, and even pre-term labor. Since it has only a 60% success rate, your OBGYN will need to make a risk/benefit decision before recommending the procedure in each case.

In the late 1970’s, Chiropractor Larry Webster (who was also the founder of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association) observed a correlation between subluxations (misalignments) in the sacral and pelvic bones and suboptimal positioning of the fetus.

Dr. Webster developed what is now widely know as the Webster technique, a series of gentle alignments performed by a chiropractor to return the pelvic bones and sacral joints to the correct position, reducing tension on the uterus, without manipulating the fetus directly at all. When that tension is removed, the baby is very likely to naturally move into the correct position for a natural birth.

In addition, the Webster Technique addresses one of the primary causes of lower back pain for many pregnant women. If you or someone you love is suffering from lower back pain during pregnancy, it may be time to consult with a chiropractor.

Neck Pain During Pregnancy

Another common form of pain when expecting is neck pain. It may be dull and achy, or you may be experiencing sharp pain when doing every day movements. Or, you may be experiencing pain in the legs or other extremities that may actually have their roots in a dysfunction in the neck (with or without neck pain).

The top two vertebrae in your spine are perhaps the most delicate because they protect the brain stem, the Grand Central Station of the central nervous system. These bones also lack the same soft tissue support and bony “locks” that the rest of the spine enjoys.

When your neck is in pain, the symptom could be because of a problem with the alignment in the atlas and axis bones of the upper spine, or it can be an indication of a problem elsewhere in the body.

Using advanced 3D imaging techniques, an Upper Cervical Care Chiropractor can take precise measurements and apply gentle corrections to this important area of the spine – without any painful popping.

You may be a gentle correction away from safe, natural, and narcotic free pain relief during pregnancy!

Holistic Approach to Health and Wellbeing During Pregnancy

Upper Cervical Care of Glen Carbon offers expecting moms a holistic approach to wellness during pregnancy. Our non-invasive and non-narcotic approach to health includes treating your body and growing baby as an integrated system working together.

Call today at 618-692-6992 to schedule a free consultation to learn more about how our doctors can be an important part of your healthy pregnancy.

Dr. Thad Vuagniaux uses the latest in advanced imaging techniques and gentle, safe and precise corrections to make sure that your central nervous system, spine and neck are in optimal shape to support your pregnancy from now until the big day!