For many pregnant women, aches and pains in the lower back and hips are part of the experience. Actually, about 50% of pregnant women experience back pain before delivering their babies. Fortunately, relief can be found by visiting a chiropractor. Learn more about the benefits of having chiropractic treatment for pregnancy pain below.
Pregnancy Pains
Why are you in pain?
Low back, pelvis and hip pain during pregnancy are caused by a perfect storm of mechanical, hormonal, and circulatory changes that put stress on your musculoskeletal (MSK) system.
Luckily, our chiropractors at Mauricio Chiropractic have the expertise to treat MSK conditions and are uniquely qualified to relieve pregnancy pain and discomfort without the use of medication. We can also provide advice on how to maintain holistic health before, during, and after giving birth.
Mechanical Changes
With a normal weight gain of 20-40 lbs., most pregnant women experience a shift in their center of gravity that puts stress on their lower backs. Their expanding belly can increase the curvature of their lower spine which, in turn, affects their posture when their body overcompensates to regain balance. If that weren’t enough, the core abdominal muscles stretch to accommodate the baby, and the back is left to support their increasing weight.
Hormonal & Circulatory Changes
The concentration of the hormone “relaxin” increases 10 times during pregnancy to help soften the pelvic region and allow it to stretch, but the newly relaxed muscles can also contribute to low back pain and joint discomfort. Plus, blood volume can increase by 50%, which can lead to inflammation and water retention. This can also contribute to the pelvis, low back, and hip discomfort.
Pregnancy Pain: Low Back, Pelvis & Hips
MSK pain is very common during pregnancy. In fact, pregnant women:
- 20% have pelvic girdle
- 50-85% have low back
There are a lot of women who also feel pain in their sacroiliac joint at their hips. This causes pain and a lot of discomfort in the hip and buttocks area and can run down all the way down to their feet.
Chiropractic Treatment for Pregnancy Pain
By visiting the chiropractor regularly during your pregnancy, we can address this pain. Chiropractic adjustments are designed to re-establish the balance and the alignment of your pelvis and your spine. This will not only make you feel better, but it will be good for your baby as well.
Chiropractors can help relieve any pregnancy-related issues like back pain, hip pain, and pelvic pain. It can all be done by realigning the spine and balancing the pelvis. There is also prenatal chiropractic care that can be done to alleviate the pain by gentle adjustments, massages, and stretching.
These chiropractic techniques are all adapted to the growth of the belly. The chiropractor doctor will assess your pelvis, and vertebrae looking for any misalignments that could be causing the pain and uterine constraint and work on it.
Tips for Expectant Mothers
Apart from gentle, non-invasive chiropractic treatment, Mauricio Chiropractic shares the following tips to follow to help keep a spine aligned:
- Exercise – Keep the core strong so it can support the spine. Ask a healthcare practitioner about the benefits of swimming, yoga or other low-impact exercise programs.
- Sleep well – A growing uterus can place pressure on the large blood vessels in the abdomen and restrict blood flow. Sleep on the left side and place a pillow between the knees to keep the spine in proper alignment.
- Think about it – You don’t need to wear high heels until after give birth. Take frequent rest and elevate your feet. Avoid lifting heavy objects and don’t hesitate to ask for help.
Chiropractic Care For Pregnancy in Florida
At Mauricio Chiropractic, we help pregnant patients. Regular spinal adjustment and chiropractic care therapy sessions can increase the comfort and mobility that a patient has. We have nine chiropractic clinics based in Orlando, Kissimmee, and Melbourne, FL. Schedule an appointment today and consult with one of our highly trained practitioners.
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We provide advanced spinal correction utilizing “state of the art” chiropractic techniques. Never in the history of chiropractic have we been able to provide the level of help and expertise that now exists. These newer correction methods are even safer, more comfortable and more effective than ever before. As Doctors of Chiropractic,Our Team has years of training and experience in spinal adjustment.