The last place many expectant mothers plan to be is the chiropractor’s office. But just ask any women who has gone through pregnancy what the most uncomfortable effects were, and she will probably have lower back pain at the top of her list. Indeed, it is extremely common for pregnant women to experience back pain during pregnancy. The back pain is caused as changes in the body occur to create a safe environment for the baby. These changes may result in displacement of the spine or joints. As the stomach grows, the posture is affected and the spine becomes more curved or arched, putting added stress on the vertebrae and joints. In addition, the widening of the pelvis can affect the spine. As a result, many women experience back pain throughout pregnancy. At Horst Chiropractic in Temecula, Dr. Nathen Horst performs spinal adjustments on pregnant women to relieve back pain and improve the health of the pregnancy.

Is it Safe to See a Chiropractor during Pregnancy?

It is safe to see a qualified chiropractor during pregnancy. In fact, chiropractic care is safer than many other treatments because it does not require the need for chemicals, medications, or surgery. Just be sure to tell your chiropractor that you are pregnant so he or she can avoid putting any pressure on the abdomen.

How Can Spinal Adjustments Improve the Health of Pregnant Women?

Maintaining the health of the spinal column, discs, related nerves, and bone structure improves total body health. When it comes to pregnancy, studies have shown that spinal adjustments also improve the health of the mother and make it more likely that the labor and delivery process will go well.

Improvement to Total Body Health

Spinal adjustments and treatment with a chiropractor can:

• Alleviate neck, back, and lower back pain
• Relieve headaches
• Reduce tension
• Minimize nausea
• Help patients sleep through the night
• Reduce stress on the nerves, thereby improving communication throughout the body
• Improve posture
• Regulate hormones
• Prevent sciatica

Improvement in Health of the Pregnancy

Spinal adjustments have also been shown to improve pregnancy and birth in the following ways:

• Improves blood flow to the uterus and other reproductive organs
• Realignment of the pelvis gives the baby has more space to grow and position itself for birth
• Reduces the possibility of c-section
• Improves the ease of labor and reduces the amount of labor and delivery time
• Makes it more likely for a natural birth to occur
• Relieves pressure, or stress, on the baby and mother
• Helps patients maintain a healthier pregnancy

If you are pregnant, we invite you to schedule an appointment for a spinal adjustment and chiropractic care with Dr. Nathen Horst. During your appointment, Dr. Horst will explain the benefits of spinal adjustments during pregnancy and advise you on the exercise and stretching movements that can be performed daily to relieve back pain and stress on the spine. Contact Horst Chiropractic today.