Chiropractic Advice For Moms-to-Be

As many new mothers can attest, the muscle strains of
pregnancy are very real and can be more than just a
nuisance. The average weight gain of 25 to 35 pounds,
combined with the increased stress placed on the body
by the baby, may result in severe discomfort. Studies
have found that about half of all expectant mothers will
develop low-back pain at some point during their pregnancies.
This is especially true during late pregnancy,
when the baby’s head presses down on a woman’s
back, legs and buttocks, irritating her sciatic nerve. And
for those who already suffer from low-back pain, the
problem can become even worse.

During pregnancy, a woman’s center of gravity almost
immediately begins to shift forward to the front of her
pelvis. Although a woman’s sacrum—or posterior section
of the pelvis—has enough depth to enable her to
carry a baby, the displaced weight still increases the
stress on her joints. As the baby grows in size, the
woman’s weight is projected even farther forward, and
the curvature of her lower back is increased, placing
extra stress on the spinal disks.

How Can Chiropractic Help?
Before you become pregnant, Dr. Henry can detect any imbalances in the pelvis
or elsewhere in your body that could contribute to
pregnancy discomfort or possible neuromusculoskeletal
problems after childbirth.

Many pregnant women have found that chiropractic
adjustments provide relief from the increased
low-back pain brought on by pregnancy.
Chiropractic spinal manipulation and spinal decompression is safe for the pregnant
woman and her baby and can be especially
appealing to those who are trying to avoid medications
in treating their back pain. Dr. Henry can also offer nutrition, ergonomic, and
exercise advice to help a woman enjoy a healthy
pregnancy.

Dr. Henry and his staff can also help after childbirth. In
the eight weeks following labor and delivery, the
ligaments that loosened during pregnancy begin
to tighten. Ideally, joint problems brought on during
pregnancy from improper lifting or reaching
should be treated before the ligaments return to
their pre-pregnancy state to prevent further muscle
tension.