5 Reasons You Need A Prenatal Chiropractor & How To Find One
Morning sickness, food aversion, headaches, overall body discomfort— bleh!
If you or someone you know has been pregnant before, it’s possible one or more of these symptoms showed up at some point during pregnancy. While Western medicine may prescribe medication to help keep the symptoms at bay, there is an alternative solution you may or may not be aware of.
It’s prenatal chiropractic care by a prenatal-focused chiropractor.
And if you so happen to be in the Greenville, SC greater area, we have a strong lead for you!
Before any preconceptions come to mind- let me ease your mind with a gentle reminder: chiropractors, like any professional, are not all built the same.
There is a perfect prenatal chiropractor out there for you. You just have to do a little digging first. As you get ready to bring LIFE into this world, it’s also important to remember you have more options than you may be aware.
LET’S DIVE IN.
Chiropractic care as a part of your regular prenatal routine can have huge benefits to the expecting mother and her baby. Including, but not limited to:
ENHANCED BRAIN-BODY COMMUNICATION
Have you ever driven down a busy multi-lane highway just to have traffic slow down because one or more lanes have closed? It’s not the end of the world- you’ll still get to your destination- but wow does that slow things down. Irritating. Your spine works the same way. Your spine houses your spinal cord— the information SUPERHIGHWAY of the body. Misalignments (or vertebral subluxations), like lane closures, can inhibit messages getting from Point A (your brain) to Point B (your body), and even though it’ll still get to its destination, how much better would it be without all the delays?
LESS INTRAUTERINE CONSTRAINT
When there is tension on the uterus it can restrict the movement of the baby (and we all know how much babies prefer to move and wiggle!). Imagine trying to get into a bed when all the sheets are tucked in. If we can release uterine tension and balance the pelvis, it’s as if we are '“untucking the sheets” and allowing more room to move so the baby can find optimal positioning.
MORE COMFORT DURING PREGNANCY
It’s important to get prenatal chiropractic from a doctor who is certified in Webster Technique through the ICPA. This technique addresses neuro-biomechanical tension of the uterus and pelvis, allowing for the pelvis and birth canal to expand through pregnancy, labor, and birth.
MORE COMFORT DURING BIRTH
There is a LOT happening in your body for 40 whole weeks, Mama. Your joints are more unstable due to higher levels of the hormone relaxin, and your center of gravity gradually changes. This would mean extra chiropractic visits during pregnancy to stabilize the pelvic and low back structures is vital. If you go into birth with an aligned spine and pelvis, you’ve done most of the preparation already! All you have to do at this point is breathe, trust, and keep your head in the game. Your baby will do the rest.
RELATED RESEARCH:
Some Pregnant Women Report Easier Births After Receiving Chiropractic CareKNOWLEDGE OF THE PELVIC FLOOR
It’s true. And if anyone tries to tell you to “just do Kegels and you’ll be fine” after birth, run the other way. There is SO much more to pelvic floor preparation and recovery than Kegels. More info on that later, promise. Or just research a local pelvic floor therapist and do a deeper dive!
BONUS: HIGHER ENERGY LEVELS, BETTER SLEEP
An adjustment frees the flow of fluids in your spinal column, which often translates into higher energy levels, better sleep, and less stiffness.
ALL THE ABOVE SOUNDS GREAT!
Now how do I find a prenatal chiropractor who knows what they’re doing?
The #1 thing you should look for in a chiropractor is someone who talks about your nervous system. THIS IS HUGE. Pain is the last sign of dysfunction so there is a lot more happening within your body before you physically feel it. A side effect of removing interference to your body’s nervous system — which allows your body to heal itself — is that your pain goes away. Chiropractic is not about back pain or neck pain because it’s so much more than pain relief, but we’re also really good at getting you out of pain in a model that isn’t symptoms and bandaids. If your chiropractor ONLY talks about pain, that may not be the best fit for you, Mama.
RELATED: Chiropractic & Pregnancy: 3 Most Common Questions & Concerns
There are 3 popular directories in finding qualified pregnancy chiropractors, the ICPA being the main one. Here they are.
There are so many benefits to chiropractic care during your pregnancy, and these are just the start. What better time than now to prepare yourself for the event of a lifetime! My goal is always to help you feel your best and express your best health while your body is creating a miracle.
