Physical Medicine Can Help
BEFORE PREGNANCY
Your doctor can detect any imbalances in the pelvis or elsewhere in your body that could contribute to pregnancy discomfort or possible neuromusculoskeletal problems after childbirth.
DURING PREGNANCY
Physical medicine can provide drug free relief from the increased low-back pain brought on by pregnancy with Chiropractic manipulation or Physical Therapy. Functional medicine can also offer nutrition, ergonomic, and exercise advice to help a woman enjoy a healthy pregnancy.
Chiropractic adjustments are safe during pregnancy. Doctors of Chiropractic make alterations in technique and patient positioning to accommodate for the increase in belly and breast size. Chiropractic care during pregnancy is becoming more common and many OB’s are very open to the concept. They are referring their patients for adjustments instead of saying, “It is a normal complaint during pregnancy. It will go away in a few more months.”
AFTER CHILDBIRTH
Joint problems brought on during pregnancy from improper lifting or reaching should be treated before the ligaments return to their pre-pregnancy state-to prevent muscle tension, headaches, rib discomfort, and shoulder problems.
Physical Medicine & Your Pregnancy
During pregnancy, our body secretes hormones that help to relax our ligaments. Without these hormones, our pelvis would not expand enough to allow the birth of the baby. When you add the increase in weight, shift in center of gravity and the change in biomechanics (due to the weight–all out in front!), it is no wonder that pregnant women are prone to back pain. Most often, during pregnancy, low back pain is a result of misalignments and restrictions of joint movement and muscle spasm.
Low back pain is the most common reason that pregnant women seek help through physical medicine. The degree of pain ranges from barely noticeable to debilitating, with stabbing or shooting pain into the legs and buttocks. Pain in the mid-back becomes more frequent as the breasts become denser from milk gland production.
Many women also seek care for headaches and migraines. Fluxes of hormones also contribute to headache occurrence. Women, who suffer migraines and were taking medication prior to becoming pregnant, often look for relief, since they can no longer take the medication.
While you are pregnant, the use of physical therapy to stretch the muscles that needs stretched to keep up with the ligamentous laxity that is occurring throughout your term. In addition to stretching, instructions are given for you on core (abdominal and back) strengthening to combat the back pain associated with pregnancy and to make delivery more comfortable for you. You will also receive modalities of heat and ice as appropriate to decrease muscle soreness.
The goal in physical therapy is to prepare your muscles for the changes that are occurring during and after pregnancy to make these transitions as easily and painfree as possible.
Many ‘side effects’ of pregnancy can be reduced with physical medicine . . . low back pain, leg cramps, mid-back pain, neck pain, headaches, carpal tunnel symptoms, and even nausea. If you suffer from any of these symptoms, don’t ‘grin and bear it’.
What Real Patients Said . . .
What have you tried in the past to help relieve your complaints that were associated with your pregnancy?
I had tried different sleeping positions and some stretching to relieve pain.
How long did it take to feel some relief?
I felt relief after the first couple treatments.
How long was it before you felt completely well?
I received treatment throughout my pregnancy to relieve the pain and pressure in my lower back and buttocks up until I gave birth and after. After three treatments of adjustments, massage and stretching once I had the baby, I felt back to normal. I continue to maintain my treatment on a monthly basis.
Did you ever consider not completing your treatment plan? No.
Why did you choose to follow through?
I felt such relief after my treatment and was able to sleep and walk better. Are you happy that you did? Yes and I make sure I get adjusted at least once a month.
Did you feel that your delivery was easier due too having received treatment at AHW?
Yes. My first delivery was extremely hard on me and I separated my pelvis so for my second pregnancy, I began receiving treatments as soon as I found out I was pregnant. My second delivery went very well and I think the adjustments, massage and stretching definitely played a factor in that.
Would you refer other pregnant women to AHW?
I have referred pregnant friends and would recommend anyone who is pregnant or not pregnant and feeling any sort of pain or discomfort to go to Advantage Health and Wellness. The atmosphere is pleasant, all of the staff are helpful and genuinely seem to care about you, the Doctors took time to explain their recommendations to me for treatment and answer any of my questions.
Which therapies do you feel helped you the most?
I feel the adjustments, massage and stretching all played a significant factor and I received the best results when I did all therapies recommended to me at each visit.