Prenatal and Postpartum Chiropractic

When a woman is pregnant, her body experiences huge changes and endures the physical stresses of growing another person. The gestational period results in the most additional stress and strain on the pelvis, lower back and abdominal wall. Additionally, many pregnant women experience strain and water retention in their legs, ankles and feet. Pregnancy and postpartum are as much times to take care of mom as they are to take care of baby.  

The Importance of Chiropractic During Pregnancy

The extra strain on the body and the hormonal changes that lubricate and relax the joints to accommodate a growing baby, make it more likely that mom will experience misalignment in her spine or joints. Chiropractic care as part of prenatal care prevents unnecessary pain and realigns the spine and pelvis for an optimal pregnancy and delivery.

Prenatal chiropractic can alleviate conditions like sciatica in pregnancy which often flares as the pelvis and lower back carry more weight. Through a combination of modalities and gentle adjustment, Northern Nevada Chiropractic’s Dr. Kimberly Nelson helps to calm these nerves and relieve back pain.

What to Expect at Your Prenatal Chiropractic Appointment

Webster’s Technique

One of the main reasons pregnancy chiropractic is so beneficial is it helps patients achieve pelvic alignment, which creates the ideal space for baby to grow. Pelvic alignment also allows baby to get in the best possible position for delivery. Dr. Nelson is certified in the Webster’s Technique which aligns the pelvis to support a more comfortable, easier and safer birth.

Webster’s Technique combats sacral subluxation, which is when the pelvic joints get misaligned, causing inflammation, decreased movement, pain and muscle spasms. Dr. Nelson uses Webster’s to adjust the pelvis, creating alignment for a comfortable pregnancy, more ideal environment for baby to develop, and increases the chances of a natural, non-invasive birth.

Additionally prenatal chiropractic helps to align the nervous system, allowing information to flow more freely throughout the body. Spinal adjustments open pathways in the nervous system, which is the master communication system to all the body’s systems including the reproductive system. Keeping the spine aligned helps the entire body work more effectively during pregnancy.

Postpartum Healing through Breathing and Restorative Exercise

Dr. Nelson is certified as a Postpartum Corrective Exercise Specialist (PCES), giving her the tools to rehabilitate postpartum women after giving birth.

In postpartum women, Dr. Nelson tests for diastasis recti, a common condition in pregnant women where the belly sticks out because the space between the left and right stomach muscles has widened. PCES provides several options to heal a diastasis, as well as postpartum rehab to correct posture, create stability in the pelvis, and support the pelvic floor.

One of the rehab options is intense breath work that is used to kick-start the diaphragm. This builds the lower transverse abdominis, which is the deepest muscle in the abdominal group. It helps with breathing and activates the core to stabilize the pelvis and lower back during most movements.

In most postpartum women, it takes a year to fully recover from pregnancy and childbirth, but Dr. Nelson sees faster and more productive recovery in women who do the techniques of these breathing exercises. The rehab exercises take about 10 to 15 minutes a day and strengthen the pelvis, which allows for decreased pain and better posture, longer. Strengthening the pelvic floor also decreases incontinence and pain during sex.