gentle chiropractic care during pregnancy

During my own pregnancy, I had seen first hand how chiropractic care had helped with another pregnant girlfriend, so towards the end of my term, I opted to see a friend of mine for gentle chiropractic care since his specialty was to aid in smoother delivery. I also had a great experience in my delivery because of it, and would not have changed it for any “western medical opinion” on it. And honestly, it wasn’t the “scary cracking” people think of at all. Ever since my first appointment, I’ve loved these visits and I’ve even started looking for myofascial release near me to try some alternative care too. Myofascial treatments can help posture correction and that’s something I certainly need, especially as I’m always bending down to play with the children and pick them up.

The American Pregnancy Association says that there is no contradictions to chiropractic care during pregnancy and that reduction of spinal nerve stress promotes health throughout the body.

I had also received acupuncture all throughout my pregnancy to help me combat things like morning sickness and fatigue. It really worked for me and I wouldn’t have changed that for anything either.

To me, holistic medicine as well as Eastern therapies as treatment have all been an integral part of my life.

I recently became friends with our local chiropractor, who was able to inform me of the truth behind many myths out there. She explained how chiropractors are trained as primary care physicians in their schooling and she had such wonderful things to say about her experience in treating women during pregnancy, that I wanted to share it with any of you who are considering treatment during this special time. If you are new to chiropractic care, like selecting any health practitioner, I suggest you go to someone you feel you can trust and talk it over with your ob-gyn or midwife if you have any concerns.

Dr. Lindsay Hoffman is one of just 6 San Diego chiropractors Certified by the Academy Council on Chiropractic Pediatrics (C.A.C.C.P.) to specialize in the care of pregnant women and kids. Her and her husband are the co-founders of Chiropractic Health & Happiness, a family wellness center near Moonlight Beach in Encinitas, CA and Cure Not Profit, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the promotion and delivery of holistic and preventative healthcare for under served populations. These days, Dr. Lindsay can be found enjoying the balancing act of her dual roles as doctor and amazing mom as well as being a public speaker and a nutrition and fitness enthusiast.

As a health practitioner and a lover of all things natural, I find myself constantly in awe of the benefits of chiropractic care. In the past week, I have had the honor of adjusting mothers and babies immediately following birth, both in their hospital beds and their homes. I have also made house calls to clear the nerve systems of women in the beginning stages of labor, as chiropractic has been shown to reduce the time spent in active labor. To some people, this may sound strange, but in my training, this is the vital part of chiropractic care and one of the highest honors to me personally as a chiropractor.

It is critically important to start life with a clear and balanced nerve system.

This balance starts during pregnancy, with an optimally healthy mother in communication with her growing baby. Chiropractic care has been shown to have profound benefits on this special time in a woman’s life, leading up to her birth and beyond. The changes in a pregnant woman’s body and spine are significant and if left unbalanced, can pose challenges to both the birth process and the baby. Relaxin, a hormone that shows up in the mother’s body around week 14, allows her body to accommodate for the growing baby and can also cause global effects of loosening ligaments and joints. Before we fall pregnant we may experience similar adjustments in our joints, for example while we are growing, and we would usually manage the pain by accessing remedies like cbd online canada has plenty of sites if this sounds familiar. However, when we are growing a fetus we have to minimize the amount of medication we take as much as possible and rely more on non-invasive treatments like those offered by chiropractors. Chiropractic care ensures that there is balance in her changing structure, helping the pelvis distribute the weight more evenly. Women under chiropractic care report an 84% reduction in back pain while pregnant. Balance in the pelvis, and round ligaments specifically, helps to ensure optimal position of the baby prior to birth. This translates into less likelihood of the need for medical interventions such as induction and Cesarean section, as well as a faster and less painful labor. In my practice, I see pregnant moms benefit from chiropractic care in a multitude of ways. Some come in with babies in breech or transverse positions and gentle adjustments are able to help the baby move into an optimal position naturally. Some moms come in having had previous challenges during pregnancy, such as Cesarean section or prolonged labor. Others come in even before they are pregnant because they understand the role a healthy spine and nerve system has on hormones that regulate reproductive organs. Chiropractic care has been able to help many couples I know become pregnant who were previously unable to, without drugs or surgery.

My absolute favorite birth story happened about two years ago. A second time mom walked in to my practice at 41 weeks pregnant in significant discomfort, filled with anxiety about going past her due date. She had never been adjusted before, but after that very first adjustment in my office, she experienced profound relief and walked out with balance in her pelvis. I called her the next morning, and she reported that her water broke later that evening and she was in hospital in the beginning stages of labor. She asked me to come adjust her again, which I was happy to do, and after I finished, her contractions started to synchronize 5 minutes apart. Three hours later, she texted me ecstatic with joy that her baby girl had been born without any complications or drugs. She came back in to the office 2 days later to get herself, her baby and her entire family adjusted. It was at that moment, and every moment like this that I once again completely fall in love with the career I have been so blessed to practice.

Note: Dr. Lindsay Hoffman’s opinions in this article are in no way to misinform, harm or discredit anything your own doctor prescribes or suggests, she is simply sharing her expertise in her field. For more information on the information provided in this article, please visit www.icpa4kids.org.