Pregnancy is such an exciting time as you think about welcoming your little one into the world. However, it is estimated that between 25-90 percent of pregnant women experience lower back pain at some point during their pregnancy. A great way to manage your pain and avoid pain medications is through chiropractic care. Here’s how getting regular adjustments can help alleviate your pain and ensure a healthy pregnancy.
Spinal Curve Pain
When pregnant, you quickly find out that your center of gravity changes. This shift will cause your spine to move and change your posture. Your growing belly pulls your spine forward into a greater lordotic curve. This results in lower back discomfort and/or pain. Many pregnant women find this spinal curve pain limits their range of motion and their ability to perform daily tasks.
Chiropractic care during pregnancy is an excellent way to alleviate the pain associated with an increased lordotic curve. As your chiropractor works to realign your spine and joints, it will give your lower back the pain relief it needs. You may notice an improvement in your posture and feel fewer aches and pains in your back.
Round Ligament Pain
Round ligament pain is a super common pregnancy complaint, especially in first-time pregnancies. It feels like a deep, sharp pain on either side of the region below your belly button. It often happens when you get out of bed, make a sudden movement, or over-exert yourself. The round ligaments that connect to the uterus stretch more as your body adjusts to your growing baby. The pain associated with round ligament pain typically begins in the second trimester of pregnancy. As your uterus grows, it is important that these ligaments grow evenly on each side so as not to pull the uterus over. If one side remains tighter during pregnancy, it may limit the mobility the baby has to get into the optimal position for birth.
When you get your pelvis adjusted by a chiropractor, it helps to ease the pain by releasing the tension. This helps restore pelvic alignment and gives you some much-needed pain relief! A Webster Certified chiropractor is also trained to release the round ligament tightness with a soft tissue technique providing much-needed relief.
Spinal Misalignment
While pregnant, your body releases a hormone called relaxin. Typically, this hormone is associated with symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD), which we will discuss in the next section. Relaxin makes the muscles, ligaments, and joints loose in preparation for labor. While this is a great thing, it can negatively affect your spine. When the muscles of your lower back become loose, it will cause your spine to become misaligned. Oftentimes the result of this is lower back pain.
Regular chiropractic care during pregnancy will help you maintain your spinal alignment. This helps decrease lower back and hip pain.
Immune System Support
From morning sickness to sleepless nights, pregnancy can be tough on the body. This makes you more likely to catch a cold or other illnesses. While pregnant, avoiding medications is important since they pose harm to your unborn child. However, with chiropractic care, you can help support the efficiency of your immune system.
One of the benefits of chiropractic care is that it helps to rid your body of stress hormones and stimulates your lymphatic system. This makes it easier for your body to get rid of toxins in your system.
Contact Us
At Better Day Chiropractic, we’re dedicated to serving you throughout your pregnancy and postpartum recovery. We also offer sports, family, and pediatric chiropractic care. If you are located in Charlotte or the surrounding areas, reach out to us today.
