Pregnancy and Chiropractic Care in Santa Monica

Pregnancy puts the body through a lot of uncomfortable changes. Chiropractic care in Santa Monica can have a positive impact on daily life throughout the pregnancy and on the experience of labor itself. Chiropractors work to gently adjust the body back to its natural alignment, improving health and the pregnancy experience. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at how chiropractic care at Todd Gewant D.C., Chiropractic Corporation can help with lower back pain, sciatica, and other discomforts associated with pregnancy.

Prenatal Chiropractic Care in Santa Monica

Pain in the lower back area is one of the most common problems pregnant patients have when they decide to seek out chiropractic treatment. As the body changes, getting ready for the birth, the center of gravity shifts to the front of the pelvic. The baby grows, the stomach expands, weight is gained, and the body shifts and changes, causing a lot of movement for the joints of the pelvis. Eventually, the lordotic curve--a curve in the lower back--becomes more pronounced. This puts stress on the vertebral joints, the hip joints, and the sacrum. Though they are a natural part of pregnancy, all of these changes are a lot of stress for a body to endure.

The spinal column protects the spine and keeps the body in its natural vertical alignment. In the area of the spine are bundles of nerves that travel throughout the rest of the body. When the spine becomes compressed from the changes of pregnancy, the vertebrae can irritate nerves. This may lead to pain that travels throughout the body.

Sciatica is a common example of nerve pain often associated with pregnancy. The sciatic nerve travels from the lower back down the backs of the legs and into the feet. This nerve is the longest nerve in the body. When compressed, it can make walking or standing still for long periods of time difficult. It can be difficult for completing daily tasks. The pain itself causes muscle tension, leading to more discomfort during pregnancy.

When the vertebrae become so misaligned during pregnancy, and then the labor experience takes a toll on the body, the spinal column may come further out of alignment after the birth. With a newborn, it’s important to be as healthy as possible. With activities like cleaning up after a baby, breastfeeding, and holding a baby there is a lot of opportunity for repetitive motions that put further stress on the body, causing more discomfort.

The good news is that with natural, gentle adjustments chiropractors can safely improve the pregnancy experience and provide solutions to these health concerns, both during the pregnancy and after.

Chiropractic Care During Pregnancy

Chiropractors are experts in the natural alignment of the body. The experience begins with a personalized consultation at Todd Gewant D.C., Chiropractic Corporation, where we will perform an exam and take down your health history. This is a great time to discuss pains you’ve had before the pregnancy and those that have begun with the changes pregnancy brings. Your Santa Monica chiropractor can help you understand what’s causing the pain and create a safe treatment plan.

If you go into labor with spinal misalignment and are already in pain, it makes the labor more intense. With proper chiropractic care, some patients report needing less pain medication during childbirth and that labor time was reduced. Postpartum, a chiropractor can gently readjust to realign the body so you can recover and adjust to your new life as a parent.