Being pregnant is an incredibly exciting and joyous time in a woman’s life. However, it can also be a distressing time both physically and emotionally. Musculoskeletal symptoms such as low back pain is a common complaint during pregnancy with a reported incidence of up to 85%. Weeks 20-28 are the most frequently reported periods for the onset of low back pain, and by 33 weeks, over 20% of women suffer from low back pain on a daily basis (Fast et al: ‘Low-back Pain in Pregnancy’ Spine 1987).
HOW CAN CHIROPRACTIC CARE HELP DURING PREGNANCY?
Chiropractic care should be an essential part of your pregnancy plan. It is important that your spine is aligned correctly as the weight of the baby becomes a major load to bear, and hormonal changes soften and relax the supportive tissues of the joints in preparation for delivery.
Chiropractic care helps to ensure that your pelvic girdle, the supportive muscles, and the suspended uterus sits correctly, minimising the condition known as intra-uterine constraint. This allows optimum room for your baby to move and grow, and minimises the load on your changing body.
Maintaining the stability of your spine, pelvis and surrounding musculature with chiropractic care will allow your nervous system to function properly, which has been proven to assist in an easier, more comfortable pregnancy, and a less painful and traumatic delivery for both you and your baby. Figures show a 50% decrease in the need for pain killers during delivery with chiropractic care (Freitag P. Expert testimony of P. Freitag, M.D., Ph.D., Comparing the results of two neighbouring hospitals, U.S. District Court Northern Illinois Eastern Division, No. 76 C 3777, May 1987).
Further research has demonstrated a significantly reduced labour time, with first time mothers averaging a 24% shorter labour time, whilst second time mothers (or more) averaged a 39% shorter labour time compared to women who did not receive chiropractic care during pregnancy (Fallon DC: The Effect of Chiropractic Treatment on Pregnancy & Labour 1991).
WHAT CONDITIONS CAN CHIROPRACTIC CARE HELP ALLEVIATE?
Low back pain is the most common condition experienced during pregnancy. However, chiropractic care can also help with a number of other conditions. Mid back pain, shortness of breath and indigestion due to increased breast size, postural constraints and abdominal changes can be alleviated by maintaining a healthy thoracic (mid back) spine.
Maintaining flexibility in the lumbar (low back) spine and pelvis can also help with other unnecessary discomforts such as constipation, frequent urination, sciatica, and pubic and pelvic pain. Maintaining cervical (neck) spine function can help with tension headaches, jaw issues, migraines, postural stress, sleep patterns, concentration and lethargy.
HOW CAN OUR CHIROPRACTORS HELP YOU?
Chiropractic care is gentle, safe and effective, and we modify our techniques where necessary to suit you. Our chiropractors work in conjunction with medical doctors, midwives, doulas and obstetricians to assist you throughout your pregnancy.
For more information or to book an appointment, please contact Balmoral Chiropractic Centre ( Singapore ) on 6235 9083.