It may come as a bit of a surprise that chiropractic care is not only of use to new mothers recovering from the back pains and drastic body changes of pregnancy, but it also has its benefits for both mother and child during pregnancy. There are myths surrounding the practice of chiropractic care that might lead a mother to be to think that it is potentially dangerous during pregnancy, such discouraging myths might include claims of extreme discomfort or awkward spinal positioning as part of therapy, leading pregnant women to believe there to be some probability for birth defects, personal damage or worse. Certainly, no competent, licensed chiropractor ever performed a treatment that did more harm than good to a mother to be or an unborn child and there are perhaps few people who can benefit for from chiropractic care than a woman going through her first pregnancy.
Some of the more obvious benefits of chiropractic care during pregnancy include keeping symptoms of nausea under control, thanks to chiropractic care’s effect on the nervous system and, of course, relieving pain in the back, neck and joints. Perhaps not as readily apparent, though, is that chiropractic care can also help in keeping labor and delivery as short as possible and maybe even prevent the need for a delivery by cesarean section by keeping the mother’s musculoskeletal system in check during a time of dramatic physical change, not to mention that regular chiropractic appointments during pregnancy can help prevent a misaligned spine thanks to the increased back curve, pelvic changes and changes in posture that occur, especially during the third trimester.
All chiropractors are trained to work with women during their pregnancy, but rather than settling for the first available professional, a mother to be is advised to find a chiropractic care worker with advance training in the field if at all possible. The late Larry Webster, D.C. founded the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association. If available, a chiropractor with an ICPA certificate, DACCP (certificate for those with the highest level of advanced ICPA training) or who is Webster Certified should be sought out.
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Chiropractic care during pregnancy is not only safe, but can also be something of a life saver, preventing complications involving the spine, keeping the nervous system in check to ensure that more blood and oxygen flows to the unborn child and making the child birthing process easier in general. Given the additional benefit of reduced headaches and stress, it may not be a bad idea for a mother to keep in touch with their chiropractor beyond pregnancy, as well.
