21 Dec Pain Relief in Pregnancy with Chiropractic Care and Healthy Lifestyle Habits
Today, women know more than ever about having a healthy pregnancy with minimal discomfort through natural remedies and a healthy lifestyle. Safe, holistic chiropractic treatment is one of the critical building blocks of a pain-free pregnancy. At Eastern Oklahoma Chiropractic, we’re committed to helping pregnant women and all of our patients be proactive in achieving their best health.
Types of Pain in Pregnancy
Pain is stressful and can cause health problems in mothers and unborn babies—discomfort results from increased strain on the spine, muscles, and joints during pregnancy. Addressing the cause of pain early is best before it worsens.
Generalized low back pain often comes from increased weight in the abdomen and changes in the center of gravity and posture.
Some other painful conditions in pregnancy can also be helped by chiropractic care:
Round ligament pain. Round ligaments connect the uterus to the abdominal wall. When the uterus gets bigger, stretching of these ligaments can cause pain around the pubic bone or abdomen.
Sacroiliac pain. The sacroiliac joints connect your lower spine and pelvis. When surrounding ligaments relax due to hormone changes, the joints can move in new ways, causing pain.
Sciatic pain. The growing baby, and increased rigidity in muscle tone, can pressure the sciatic nerve, causing nerve pain that affects the lower back and often shoots down the leg.
Women have many options for mitigating these pain-causing conditions of pregnancy with healthy lifestyle habits and chiropractic treatment.
Elements of a Healthy, Pain-free Pregnancy
Eat a balanced diet. Most women should consume around an extra 300 calories of nutritious foods per day. Avoiding sugar is important to keep weight down, and the immune system is functioning well. Some of the nutritional elements of a nutritious diet include:
- Fruits and vegetables.
- Folic acid (found in dark green leafy vegetables).
- Calcium and vitamin C-rich foods.
- Whole grains.
- Plenty of protein (especially in the second and third trimesters).
Exercise. Getting regular moderate exercise during pregnancy is important for keeping a good fitness level in preparation for labor rigors, maintaining a healthy weight, and reducing pain. Pregnant women should consult with their doctor about a safe, healthy level of exercise for them.
Chiropractic Care. Research has shown that prenatal care from both an obstetrician and a chiropractor is more beneficial than obstetrical care alone. In one study, 94% of women receiving chiropractic treatment showed a clinically important improvement in their pain symptoms.
How a Chiropractor Helps to Relieve Pain
Spinal adjustments keep your musculoskeletal system in alignment; it needs to move properly throughout pregnancy. Your spine impacts how your nervous system, brain, and entire body function. When you achieve good posture, you enable your spine to function at its best in assisting your body’s breathing, hormone production, movement, and overall health. All are important components of a healthy, pain-free pregnancy!
Make an Appointment for Your Complimentary Consultation
Eastern Oklahoma Chiropractic is committed to the health of families, beginning with pregnancy. Call our office in Broken Arrow at (918) 940-4630 today.