Chiropractic Care and Pregnancy

If someone asked me what the single most underused benefit of chiropractic care is, I would have to say pregnancy pain relief. The main reason for this is that patients and doctors don't know how safe and effective it truly is. Over the years I have heard many people tell me after delivery that they couldn't wait to have their baby so that they could come in and have their back adjusted. I have had many doctors tell their patients (and also my patients) that they should NOT get adjusted while they are pregnant. Clearly, we chiropractors need to better job educating those around us on what we do and how we do it! On the flip side, I do have several OB/Gyn's who send me patients on a regular basis. They understand how beneficial chiropractic can be to the over 60% of pregnant women suffering from back pain and sciatic pain associated with pregnancy.

Let's take this a question at a time.

What will a chiropractor do for a pregnant patient and how does it work?
Pregnancy affects the spine and pelvis a great deal and the effects start almost immediately. This means that pain can be present before the patient is even "showing." Treatment for low back pain, in my office, consists of flexion/distraction (a specialized form of traction), gentle chiropractic manipulation and home stretching. As the joints undergo the stress of pregnancy, chiropractic care can help to relieve reduce muscle fatigue, nerve irritation and joint inflammation that pregnancy can cause. My home programs focus on stretching and also keeping stabilizers (both abdominal and lumbar) active and strong.

Is it safe?
Chiropractic care is very safe during pregnancy. I make a few adjustments to my treatment that allow a pregnant patient to safely receive care throughout the pregnancy. The main modifications focus on limiting or eliminating lumbar rotation with the adjustment and refraining from the use of electrical muscle stimulation since it has not been tested on pregnant women. I also use a table with a "break away" middle, thereby creating an indentation for the baby to sit in. This allows a woman to lie on her stomach for treatment without any pressure on the baby. The adjustments are also a bit more gentle, as the ligaments are more lax during pregnancy.

How does it differ from a non pregnant patient's treatment?
As I stated above, we limit rotation, do not use muscle stimulation and use the break away to create space for the baby. I will most often use a pelvic drop on my pregnant patients. This eliminates rotation, which in very rare cases could be unsafe. If that position is not comfortable, I will use a non-rotational side position. I also may need to use a brace to help stabilize the patient. This is a last resort, as patients tend to hate them!

How long will it take?
As with any patient, the length of time needed to relieve pain will vary. Many women experience complete relief in a few visits. Others may need to be monitored throughout the pregnancy. In MOST cases, treatment will last 3-4 weeks.

More questions? Feel free to email me at DrWente@AllianceChiroCenter.com. You may also want to visit the American Chiropractic Association's website. Here is an article you may find interesting.