Being pregnant should be a joyous time in a woman’s life. However, there are a few things that can make it rather uncomfortable. Let's discuss some of the reasons why back pain accompanies pregnancy and how upper cervical chiropractic may provide relief. Plus, we will consider the role that upper cervical chiropractic can play in prenatal health and to the birth itself.
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If you are suffering from back pain during pregnancy, you are far from alone. In fact, about 50-70% of pregnant women will experience back pain. For pregnant women, back pain usually occurs at the SI (sacroiliac) joint. This is where the spine and the pelvis meet.
Why does pregnancy often result in back pain? While the fact that a typical pregnancy adds 25-35 pounds seems like the simple answer, it is just one contributing factor. Consider the following four circumstances that can also be the root cause of back pain:
With all of these factors in play, it is actually surprising that more women don’t experience back pain during pregnancy. Let’s take a look at how upper cervical chiropractic care can help you to deal with this pain without posing any risk to you or your baby.
When someone is suffering from severe back pain, the sad fact is that most doctors still just reach for the prescription pad to offer pain medicine as treatment. However, the March of Dimes website provides numerous facts about the serious dangers of mixing opioids and pregnancy. Therefore, it is vital to find natural ways to get relief from the pain. A few things that you can do at home to reduce the risk of back pain during pregnancy include:
Upper cervical chiropractors offer a particularly gentle and precise form of chiropractic. While the focus is on the top two bones of the spine rather than the lower back, this chiropractic niche still addresses the issues that lead to back pain during pregnancy.
Spinal health flows from the top down, so the best way to control postural changes is to ensure your C1 and C2 stay in alignment. Also, since the atlas (C1) surrounds the brainstem, keeping this bone properly aligned is vital when it comes to controlling the proper release of hormones. Keeping the upper cervical spine in order may also help you cope with stress, as a properly functioning central nervous system (CNS) plays the main role in dealing with emotions. From making sure blood is getting to the brain to ensuring cerebrospinal fluid can drain freely, all of this is related to the upper cervical spine.
Upper cervical chiropractic is also the safe solution because the adjustments are so gentle. You don’t want someone bending your spine and popping your vertebrae with a high force adjustment. Gentle corrections that focus on the upper part of the neck ensure that there will be no unnecessary pressure on the abdomen.
Spinal alignment is an important element of the birthing process. If your spine and pelvis are properly aligned, your baby has a direct route to follow. This can help to limit the occurrence of complications. Don’t underestimate the benefits of upper cervical chiropractic for postnatal care as well. Not only is it good for mom, but it is gentle enough for infants as well. This would especially be important if there was any difficulty in the birthing process that could have caused a misalignment.
In the end, the most important thing is that you and your baby are happy and healthy. Upper cervical chiropractic may be just what you need to reach that goal. So why not contact a practitioner in your area today? A consultation may be just what you need to determine if this is the right natural option for your family.
TV show host Montel Williams describes how specific chiropractic care has helped his body.
The content and materials provided in this web site are for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended to supplement or comprise a medical diagnosis or other professional opinion, or to be used in lieu of a consultation with a physician or competent health care professional for medical diagnosis and/or treatment. All content and materials including research papers, case studies and testimonials summarizing patients' responses to care are intended for educational purposes only and do not imply a guarantee of benefit. Individual results may vary, depending upon several factors including age of the patient, severity of the condition, severity of the spinal injury, and duration of time the condition has been present.