Chiropractic Advice During Pregnancy
Pregnancy exerts a
significant toll on the body, and muscle strains are commonly reported. With an
average weight gain during pregnancy of 25 to 35 pounds, coupled with the
internal shifting caused by a growing baby, it is no surprise that pregnant
women may end up in severe discomfort. Figures reveal that around 50% of
expectant mothers suffer low-back pain at some point, which obviously worsens
as the pregnancy progresses and the baby’s head exerts more pressure on the
woman’s back, legs, and buttocks, affecting the sciatic nerve. Where low-back
pain was pre-existing, these issues are even worse.
Pregnancy causes an almost
immediate shift in a woman’s center of gravity, taking it forward to the front
of the pelvis. Despite being designed to carry a baby, this displacement will
still cause extra pressure on the joints. As the baby develops, this
weight-shift forward continues, increasing the curvature of the lower back and
placing an extra burden on the spinal disks.
Hormones released during pregnancy serve to
counteract these changes to some degree, helping to loosen the ligaments
attached to the pelvic bones, but they cannot fully compensate for the postural
shifts taking place. Trips and falls at this time are quite a common hazard.
How You Can Help Yourself
Exercise
- Safe exercise at least three times a week will help strengthen
muscles and ease discomfort. A warm-up and stretching beforehand is very
important, and medical advice should be sought if you did not exercise
prior to pregnancy.
- Cardiovascular exercises considered relatively safe for pregnant
women include walking, swimming, and stationary cycling, as they are
fairly low-impact. Jogging is advisable only for women who ran frequently
before pregnancy, and then only in gentle form and after consulting your
doctor.
- Exercise should only be carried out in an safe area where trips and
falls can best be avoided. Heart rate should be kept below 140 beats per
minute, and each period of strenuous activity should not exceed 15
minutes.
- If you notice any unusual symptoms, such as bleeding, dizziness,
nausea, weakness, blurred vision, swelling, or heart palpitations, stop
exercising straight away and consider seeking medical advice.
Health & Safety
- Flat, sensible shoes are the order of the day. Heels worsen any
postural imbalance and make a fall more likely.
- Bend at the knees, not from the waist, when picking things up,
especially small children. If possible, avoid heavy lifting entirely and
never turn your head when you lift.
- Rest up! Sleep when you need to, or sit down and elevate your feet
for a while, and don’t be afraid to ask for help to ease your workload.
Pregnancy Ergonomics
- Take pressure off your lower back by sleeping on your side with a
pillow between your knees. There are specially designed full-length
pillows for this purpose. Lying on the left side improves blood flow and
helps the kidneys flush out toxins.
- If your work involves lots of computer time, ensure your
workstation is ergonomically designed. The top of the monitor screen
should be below eye level, and placing your feet on a small stool will
take some pressure away from your legs and feet. Get up and walk around
every 30 minutes.
Nutrition
- As a way to reduce nausea and keep hunger at bay, small meals every
four to five hours is preferable to three large meals a day. Foods high in
carbohydrates and protein are good for snacking, and a handy supply of
saltines can help ward off morning sickness.
- In order to reduce the chances of neural tube birth defects, such
as spina bifida, it is recommended that you supplement with at least 400
micrograms of folic acid every day, both before and during pregnancy.
However, always check with your doctor before supplementing to verify the
safety of the products you intend taking.
- Discomfort in pregnancy is made worse if there are any pre-existing
imbalances in the pelvis or elsewhere. A doctor of chiropractic has the skills
to detect these issues prior to pregnancy and minimize the problems for
you. Their help and advice will also ensure you take all possible steps to
prevent neuromusculoskeletal problems after childbirth.
- It is the experience of many pregnant women that chiropractic
adjustments reduce the severity of low-back pain. These adjustments are
safe for both mother and baby and are an especial boon to those women who
are keen to avoid pain medications while pregnant. A doctor of
chiropractic can also provide advice on other important areas, such as
nutrition, ergonomics, and exercise.
- Moving beyond childbirth, help from a chiropractor is still
important to tend to any joint problems that may arise as the ligaments
loosened during pregnancy tighten up again over a period of around eight
weeks. Joints left untreated as the ligaments readjust can lead to
problems with muscular tension, headaches, rib pain and shoulder pain.
Dr. Kaden can help you improve and maintain your health and
keep your nervous system healthy through Chiropractic Care, Functional
Medicine, Functional Neurology, Nutritional Support, Weight Loss Programs and Homeopathic
Bio-identical Hormone Replacement. Please call Dr. Frank Kaden at 310-251-0862 or 310-937-2323
or email: info@kadenchiropractic.com
for an appointment. For more information please go to: www.kadenchiropractic.com
Our office in Hermosa Beach, CA has been helping the
residents of Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, El Segundo,
Torrance, Palos Verdes and other nearby cities experience the amazing benefits
of chiropractic and wellness so they can enjoy life and health once again
without drugs and surgery.
