Pregnancy and Chiropractic
Pregnancy– the importance of getting an adjustment while pregnant
Chiropractic care is health maintenance of the spinal column, discs and related nerves without drugs or surgery. It involves the art and science of adjusting misaligned joints of the body, especially of the spine, which reduces spinal nerve stress and therefore promotes health throughout the body.
There are no known contraindications to chiropractic care throughout pregnancy. All chiropractors are trained to work with women who are pregnant. Investing in the fertility and pregnancy wellness of women who are pregnant or trying to conceive is a routine care for most chiropractors. Chiropractic care in pregnancy is vital to the normal physiological function of both the mother and baby throughout pregnancy and birth. More women and birth providers are discovering the many benefits associated with chiropractic care in pregnancy. The Webster Technique is a chiropractic adjustment to the sacral (tail bone) which helps the pelvis to open during pregnancy and most importantly during labor. This also relieves pelvic pain and painful walking which is common for pregnant women. Having an open pelvis and healthy nervous system helps the baby position itself correctly during pregnancy which will hopefully help the baby from becoming breech during the latter stage of pregnancy. Studies have shown that pregnant women who have chiropractic adjustments through out their pregnancies not only feel better and have less aches and pains, but their babies are likely to drop and present correctly which helps provide a quicker vaginal delivery.
Sacral subluxation may contribute to difficult labor for the mother (i.e., dystocia), caused by inadequate uterine function, pelvic contractions, and baby mal-presentation. Correction of sacral subluxation may have a positive effect on all of these causes of dystocia.
Potential benefits of chiropractic care during pregnancy include:
- Maintaining a healthier pregnancy
- Controlling symptoms of nausea
- Reducing the time of labor and delivery
- Relieving back, neck or joint pain
- Preventing a potential cesarean delivery
The nervous system is the master communication system to all the body systems including the reproductive system. Keeping the spine aligned helps the entire body work more effectively.
Child car seats
It is important to keep your child in a rear facing car seat until they are at least 2-years-old or have reached the seats height and weight limits for the facing forward position (usually 36 inches and 30 to 35 pounds). The 5 point harness placement is very important for child safety. The clip across the chest should be brought up to armpit level. The straps should be snug holding baby into seat. Do not have baby wear bulky clothing in winter coats will in their car seats. Crash tests have shown babies can be ejected from their heavy winter coats while properly strapped into their car seats. Use a heavy blanket to cover baby during winter months. Never allow an infant to sleep in their car seats after reaching your destination. If they are unable to hold their head up they should be in a reclined position while traveling. If they fall asleep you should avoid them slumping to head to chest position which could block their airway and in the worst case scenario cause suffocation. We also recommend putting additional padding in the lower back and seat areas of the car seat by adding a one inch thick foam pad which can be purchased at any craft store. Children’s car seats are not mandated to have padding in these areas which should be padded for your child’s comfort and protection. Child car seats are intended to keep our precious children safe if used properly. Having trouble securing your child’s seat in your car? Check with your local fire station or police departments. They are usually happy to help install these seats.
Changing diapers – There is a right and wrong way.
When babies are born their spines are in a C shape from neck to tail bone. As the baby develops and spends more time on their stomachs and learns to push themselves up they are developing their normal primary spinal curvatures in the neck and lower back. So if we are changing babies diapers in the typical way of lifting their buttocks up by holding their ankles we are actually stressing and potentially misaligning both the mid back and low back/tailbone area. This could cause digestive issues because the nerves from the thoracic spine (mid back) control the stomach, and lumbar spine and tailbone control bowel and bladder function. All those things can be affected because with every diaper change (which is a lot!) we are constantly putting stress on those areas of the spine, potentially prohibiting nerves from properly communicating with those organs which could cause digestive complaints in your baby (colic and constipation). The way to prevent these digestive issues and allow the primary spinal curves to develop like they are supposed to is to roll the baby to one side, clean them, remove the soiled diaper then slip the new diaper under them and roll them back onto the diaper and fasten. This method takes some practice and getting used to. We recommend starting early and continuing all the way to potty training. Once it becomes a habit it will be much easier. If you don’t have a newborn this method can be started at any age. Be patient as your child learns this new technique.
The WRONG way
The CORRECT way
How to stand up when on the floor
Grand parents and some parents have difficulty getting up from the floor after playing with children at their level. Here are some tips to help when you find it’s a challenge to get up from the floor or ground.
- Get onto all fours
- Bring the strong leg forward, knee bent, opposite hand on the floor for balance.
- Lift up, placing both hands on the front quad.
- Turn the back toes under and push your hands into the quad, using the strength of the thigh and upper body to push back to a standing position.
- Bring back foot in, stand tall and repeat as many times as you can.
