4 Common Pregnancy Ailments and How Chiropractic Care Can Address Them

by | Sep 9, 2024 | 0 comments

7 min read

Pregnancy is an exciting time, but it can also bring some discomfort. Many expectant mothers experience pain in their hips, back, neck, and knees. 

Fortunately, chiropractic care can provide much-needed relief, among many other benefits

Chiropractors use gentle techniques to help align your body, reducing pain and promoting a healthier pregnancy. 

How does chiropractic care address these common pregnancy ailments? We have all the answers!

This is an infographic depicting the 4 most common pregnancy ailments

Hip Pain

Why Do Pregnant Women Experience Hip Pain?

Hip pain during pregnancy is super common and can be uncomfortable. 

As your baby grows, the extra weight puts more pressure on your hips, which can cause discomfort. This weight gain also shifts your center of gravity, making your body adjust in ways that can strain your hips and lower back.

Hormonal changes also play a significant role in hip pain. Your body produces a hormone called relaxin during pregnancy, which loosens the ligaments in your pelvis to prepare for childbirth. While this is necessary, it can make your pelvic area feel unstable and lead to hip pain. This combination of extra weight and loose ligaments can make everyday activities like walking or standing for long periods pretty challenging.

How Chiropractic Care Alleviates Hip Pain in Pregnancy

Chiropractors use gentle, safe techniques that work well for both mom and baby. They make specific adjustments to realign your pelvis and hips, which helps reduce pressure and improve your movement.

Regular chiropractic sessions can keep your pelvis and hips adequately aligned throughout your pregnancy. This helps with the pain and makes it easier for you to stay active, which is good for both your body and mind. Plus, chiropractors can give you personalized advice on exercises and stretches that can further reduce hip pain and keep you feeling good.

pregnant woman with back pain

Back Pain

What Causes Back Pain in Pregnant Women?

Back pain is a common complaint for pregnant women, and there are a few reasons why it happens. 

One big reason is the shift in your center of gravity as your belly grows. 

The extra weight pulls your abdomen forward, changing your posture and putting additional strain on your back muscles. This makes your muscles work harder to support your body, leading to fatigue and pain.

Hormonal changes also play a part. 

During pregnancy, your body produces a hormone called relaxin, which loosens the ligaments in your pelvis to prepare for childbirth. But relaxin can also affect other joints and ligaments, making them more flexible and less stable. This can lead to joint instability and misalignment, contributing to back pain.

How Chiropractic Care Helps with Back Pain during Pregnancy

Chiropractic care offers a safe and effective way to manage back pain during pregnancy. 

Chiropractors use gentle, precise adjustments to realign the spine, reducing pressure on the back muscles and improving overall spinal alignment.

Regular chiropractic sessions can help maintain proper spinal alignment throughout pregnancy, promoting better posture and reducing the strain on your back muscles. Chiropractors may also recommend specific exercises and stretches to strengthen your back and core muscles, further supporting your spine and alleviating pain. These exercises can improve your overall flexibility and stability, making it easier to manage the physical demands of pregnancy.

Neck Pain

pregnant woman with neck pain

Why is Neck Pain Common in Pregnant Women?

Neck pain is common during pregnancy for several reasons. 

First, hormonal changes play a significant role. 

During pregnancy, your body produces a hormone called relaxin, which helps loosen the ligaments to prepare for childbirth. While this is helpful for delivery, it can also make your neck and other joints less stable, leading to strain and pain.

The extra weight you’re carrying can also cause poor posture. 

As your baby grows, you might find yourself leaning backward to balance the extra weight, which can strain your neck and shoulders. This new posture can lead to neck pain over time.

Stress and lack of sleep are other factors that contribute to neck discomfort. 

Pregnancy can be stressful, and insufficient rest can make your muscles tense and sore, including those in your neck. All these changes can add up, making neck pain a common issue for pregnant women.

How Chiropractic Care Relieves Pregnancy-Related Neck Pain

Chiropractors use gentle adjustments to help realign your neck and spine, reducing tension and improving your posture. These adjustments can help relieve pain and make it easier to move comfortably.

Regular visits to a chiropractor can help keep your neck in good alignment throughout your pregnancy. Chiropractors can also teach you exercises and stretches that strengthen your neck muscles and improve your posture. These exercises can help prevent neck pain from worsening and make you feel better overall.

In addition to adjustments and exercises, chiropractors can offer tips on reducing stress and improving sleep. They suggest changes to your sleeping position or recommend pillows that better support your neck. This holistic approach ensures you can stay comfortable and healthy during pregnancy.

Knee Pain

What Leads to Knee Pain during Pregnancy?

Knee pain during pregnancy is quite common and can be caused by a few different factors. 

One of the main reasons is the extra weight you gain as your baby grows. This additional weight puts more pressure on your knees, leading to pain and discomfort.

Another factor is changes in your gait. As your body adjusts to carrying more weight, you might find yourself walking differently, which can strain your knees. 

How Chiropractic Care Addresses Knee Pain for Pregnant Women

Chiropractors use gentle adjustments to realign your knees and improve how your joints function. This helps reduce pain and makes it easier for you to walk and move around comfortably.

During a treatment session, the chiropractor will carefully adjust your knees to ensure they are correctly aligned. These adjustments can help relieve the pressure and strain that build up due to the extra weight and changes in your body during pregnancy. Chiropractic care helps maintain joint stability and function by keeping your knees aligned, thus reducing pain and improving mobility.

Regular chiropractic visits can provide ongoing relief and help prevent knee pain from worsening. Chiropractors might also suggest exercises and stretches that can strengthen the muscles around your knees, providing better support and reducing the likelihood of pain.

Is Chiropractic Care Safe during Pregnancy?

This is an inforgraphic detailing 4 reasons why chiropractic care is safe during pregnancy

Yes, chiropractic care is safe for most pregnant women. 

It’s a natural and effective way to manage the various aches and pains that come with pregnancy. Chiropractors are specially trained to work with pregnant women and use gentle and safe techniques for both the mother and the baby.

Gentle Techniques

Chiropractors who treat pregnant women use techniques specifically designed for pregnancy. 

These techniques avoid putting pressure on the abdomen and focus on relieving tension and pain in areas like the back, hips, and neck. They use special tables and cushions to ensure you are comfortable and supported during your treatment.

Trained Professionals

Chiropractors undergo extensive training to understand the changes a woman’s body goes through during pregnancy. They know how to adjust their techniques to accommodate these changes and provide relief without causing harm. They are skilled in identifying areas that need adjustment and applying the right amount of pressure to achieve the desired results.

Natural Pain Relief

One of the most significant benefits of chiropractic care during pregnancy is that it provides relief without needing medication. This is important because many pain relief medications are not recommended during pregnancy. Chiropractic adjustments can help reduce pain and improve mobility, making staying active and healthy throughout pregnancy easier.

Improved Well-Being

Regular chiropractic care can also contribute to your overall well-being. By keeping your spine and joints adequately aligned, chiropractic care can help improve your posture, reduce stress on your body, and enhance your overall comfort. This holistic approach supports not only your physical health but also your mental and emotional well-being.

How Often Should Pregnant Women See a Chiropractor?

Many pregnant women find relief with regular weekly or bi-weekly visits. Your chiropractor can create a personalized care plan to help you stay comfortable throughout your pregnancy.

Relieve Pain and Increase Comfort during Pregnancy at Bergen Chiropractic!

The chiropractic team at Bergen Chiropractic and Sports Rehabilitation Center adheres to the highest medical standards to provide superior chiropractic care. Our mission is to provide unparalleled patient care in a comfortable, healing atmosphere. 

Access our contact form or call us at (201) 357-6539 to learn more about our chiropractic care services! Our offices at 532 Anderson Avenue, Cliffside Park, NJ 07010, and 62 Summit Ave, Hackensack, NJ 07601, are ready to welcome you as we proudly serve the areas of New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia, PA, and Baltimore, MD. Also, access our blog, Facebook, and Instagram pages for more information on chiropractic care during pregnancy!

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