Phillips Chiropractic

Is it a good idea to get your spine checked while you are pregnant? Well, first off, yes it is a very smart idea to get your spine checked while you are pregnant. Obviously, your body is going through a variety of changes, and these alterations will continue as the pregnancy progresses. A subtle change is your body’s increased production of the hormone elastin. This hormone is designed to relax the tendons in the pelvis. This relaxation allows the pelvis more flexibility during the birthing process to make delivering the baby easier. This process, although designed to help the mother during labor, can produce much discomfort in the months leading up to the birth. The elastin is being released in increased amounts as the months go on, which allows the pelvis to become increasingly more unstable.

In combination with the increased size of the baby and uterus, and you have the formula for severe low back pain. As an Santa Barbara Chiropractor, I currently have several pregnant patients coming into my office for symptoms associated with their pregnancy, but usually it is for their low back pain. A bonus to seeing a chiropractor routinely during your pregnancy is that it has been shown to actually decrease labor time. Why is that you ask? Simply put, if the pelvis is where it needs to be, the muscles contracting during the labor process are more efficient and won’t have to strain against misaligned joints.

To answer the second question from the introductory paragraph, most assuredly chiropractic care during your pregnancy is safe. Chiropractic is not only safe and beneficial in relieving the low back pain associated with pregnancy, but other symptoms like heartburn, nausea, swelling, and so on. In addition, should the need arise, a trained chiropractor can assist a mother who has a breached baby. This is done by using the Webster Technique, a low force manipulation of the uterus that helps to get the baby into the appropriate position for birth. A simple Google search on the Webster Technique can give you much more information. In summation, not only is chiropractic safe for pregnant women, it is also very beneficial in helping with the symptoms associated with their pregnancy.

If you are pregnant, I highly recommend that you go to see a good local chiropractor, or if you are close enough, look up your Santa Barbara Chiropractor. We can make you feel a lot more comfortable during your pregnancy, and we can even make the labor process easier.

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