Chiropractic care during Pregnancy and Post Partum

Posted on April 3, 2023 in News

Pregnancy and Postpartum

Pregnancy is an exciting time as you prepare to welcome your new baby. With pregnancy comes lots of changes, both physically and hormonally. These physical changes can cause pain and discomfort as your body adjusts to the increase in weight and the fluctuation of your hormones.

During pregnancy taking pain medication is heavily restricted due to the impact it can have on your baby, so finding a safe and natural alternative to relieve your pain and symptoms is so important. At Shannon Avenue Chiropractic, we offer non-invasive therapeutic techniques to reduce pain and ensure a healthy nervous system while you are pregnant. Unlike other treatments such as massage (which is normally excluded during the first trimester) Chiropractic care is a safe drug-free treatment option through every trimester of Pregnancy. 

WHERE CHIROPRACTIC CARE CAN HELP

Maintaining physical activity – Staying active during pregnancy is an important part of not only your own health but the health of your baby, we know that physical activity can help reduce your risk of gestational diabetes and help with your recovery post-birth. Chiropractic care can help maintain your body’s normal function and movement and reduce pain so that you can maintain appropriate exercise throughout all trimesters.

Products – We have carefully selected products in the clinic that can help with at-home pain relief and support during your pregnancy. Both heat and ice are fantastic natural pain reliefs that are safe during pregnancy. We have a range of heat and cool packs at the clinic both single-use and reusable. Heat can be used for Lower back and Pelvic pain as well as neck and mid-back pain, whereas ice is fantastic for Hip and shoulder bursitis and swollen and painful joints in the foot and ankle. We also stock support braces for your pelvis and lower back as your pregnant belly begins to get heavier. We also stock pillows and pregnancy pillows to support your needs while you sleep.

At-home stretchesDr Matthew will prescribe a series of safe at-home stretches and exercises for your to complete at home to ensure that you work on strengthening your spine and help relieve pain and discomfort.

Chiropractic Adjustments and care– Throughout each trimester, your chiropractic care will be tailored to suit you and your growing belly’s needs. In the first trimester manual adjustments are safe throughout the duration of pregnancy, particularly in the neck and mid back, lower back adjustments are also safe and can be beneficial in preparing your body for birth. Some women, as they progress throughout their term become uncomfortable in the side-lying position needed for a lower back adjustment so different techniques can be used to ensure suitable and comfortable treatment is provided.

Alternative treatments include 

  • Soft tissue therapy – massage particularly over the Sacro-iliac Joint and lower back to relieve pain and discomfort
  • Activator – The activator gun is used to gently mobilise the joints of the spine and pelvis.
  • Tractioning and stretching – Tractioning of the lower back and neck can help take the pressure off the joints and discs and encourage full mobility.
  • ART – Active release therapy is used to pin tissue in a shortened position and take that tissue (normally muscles/tendon/ligament) through its full range of motion to get more fluent and pain-free movement.

Click the video below to see an example of Chiropractic care during pregnancy 

Chiropractic care throughout pregnancy

Chiropractic care can also be an important part of your postpartum care. We usually allow 6 weeks before recommencing care if mum has had a C-section performed to allow for appropriate healing, but New mothers often experience an increase in mid Back pain from breastfeeding, holding or rocking their baby and just general soreness post labour. If this resonates with you or someone you know, please reach out as we