Easing Pregnancy Discomfort: Prenatal Chiropractic Care in the Tri-Cities
Pregnancy is an exciting and transformative journey, but it often comes with its fair share of physical challenges. As the body undergoes rapid changes to accommodate the growing baby, you may find yourself grappling with discomfort and limitations to your movement. Chiropractors that are specialized in perinatal care can be an asset to your healthcare team in helping you meet pregnancy goals like managing discomfort, maintaining exercise, and feeling empowered through your pregnancy.
Understanding Pregnancy Discomfort:
Pregnancy-related discomfort is a common experience for many people due changes in posture, weight distribution and laxity in joints. Relaxin, a hormone produced during and after pregnancy, is a key factor in some physical discomforts that may arise. Relaxin helps loosen and relax the joints of the body in preparation for labour and delivery. The effects of relaxin are not limited to the pelvis and can affect the whole body, making your joints less stable and possibly susceptible to injury. Some common complaints experienced during pregnancy include:
Low back and sacroiliac pain
Pelvic and hip discomfort
Sciatic nerve irritation
Plantar fasciitis
Carpal tunnel
Upper back and rib tightness
Addressing these issues can be key for your well-being and ability to maintain exercise throughout your pregnancy. Chiropractic and other manual therapies such as physiotherapy and registered massage therapy can also be used preventatively to help identify and reverse compensatory patterns before they begin to cause discomfort and limitations.
Maintaining exercise is proven to be important in preventing comorbidities during pregnancy. According to the JOGC (Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada), studies have shown that exercise is associated with decreased incidence of gestational diabetes, hypertensive concerns such as preeclampsia, and cesarean births to name a few. Exercise can also help improve mood, energy levels and reduce the severity of lumbopelvic pain. Chiropractors strive to prevent and reduce discomfort, allowing you to achieve your exercise goals during pregnancy!
The Role of Chiropractic:
Perinatal chiropractic care is a safe and effective manual therapy that focuses on nerves, muscles and joints, formally known as the neuromusculoskeletal system. Chiropractors skilled in prenatal care use gentle, non-invasive techniques to address the your unique needs. These can techniques can include the following:
Modified Adjustments
Joint Mobilizations
Soft Tissue Release
Exercise Prescription
Supportive taping for the belly, low back and limbs
Modifications are often made in patient positioning and the type of adjustments used to accommodate for the physiological changes during pregnancy. No two pregnancies are alike so treatment is tailored to your specific concerns and stage of pregnancy! The goal of treatment is to restore joint movement, alleviate muscle tension, and promote optimal body movement to keep you feeling comfortable and moving well.
Benefits Chiropractic During Pregnancy:
Postural corrections: Pregnancy can lead to changes in the spine's curvature and pelvic alignment, possibly contributing to back pain. Chiropractic seeks to restore proper alignment and movement, reducing discomfort and promoting overall postural health.
Pelvic Balance: Chiropractors can address pelvic and hip restriction, which are common during pregnancy. By ensuring proper pelvic movement chiropractic care may alleviate pressure on the round ligaments among other soft tissues to provide relief from pelvic pain.
Nervous System Function: The nervous system plays a crucial role in pregnancy and labour, influencing various bodily functions. Manual therapies such as chiropractic aim to reduce stress on the body and help the nervous system shift to its parasympathetic state aka the rest and digest state.
Stress Reduction: The emotional and physical stress associated with pregnancy can take a toll on an expecting parent. Manual therapy not only targets physical discomfort but also provides a relaxing and calming experience, helping to reduce stress levels.
Drug-Free Pain Relief: Chiropractic care provides a non-pharmacological approach to pain relief, aligning with the preferences of many expecting parents who seek drug-free alternatives during pregnancy.
Improved Circulation: Pregnancy can sometimes lead to altered circulation, resulting in swelling and discomfort. Manual therapy can enhance blood flow, reducing swelling and promote healthier muscle and joint movement.
Pelvic Floor Support: Strengthening and supporting the pelvic floor is crucial during pregnancy and childbirth. Chiropractic care can include exercises and techniques to enhance pelvic floor function, possibly reducing the risk of complications.
Experiencing Chiropractic in the Lower Mainland:
The Lower Mainland’s healthcare landscape has evolved to accommodate the increasing demand for specialized prenatal care. Dr. Manvir Sahota is passionate about perinatal healthcare and values community collaboration. She aims to connect with your healthcare team to curate a treatment plan tailored to your unique concerns to achieve a healthy and comfortable pregnancy.
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