Pregnancy changes the way your body moves. As your baby grows, your centre of gravity shifts and the muscles and joints around your back and pelvis adapt. For some women, these changes are accompanied by lower back discomfort, pelvic girdle pain or muscular tightness.
If these symptoms are affecting your sleep, walking or everyday activities, you may be wondering whether chiropractic care is appropriate during pregnancy.
Care Based on Your Individual Needs
Pregnancy chiropractic care should always begin with a thorough health history and individual assessment. Your chiropractor will ask about your pregnancy, current symptoms, previous injuries and general health before discussing whether care may be suitable.
Positioning, equipment and chiropractic techniques can be modified according to your stage of pregnancy and comfort. Pregnancy cushions may be used to avoid pressure on the abdomen, and your chiropractor may recommend speaking with your GP, midwife or obstetrician when appropriate.
“I take the time to understand what each patient is experiencing, explain my findings and adapt care to her individual circumstances.” Dr Jenae Reid, Perth Chiropractor
What Does the Research Say?
Research investigating chiropractic care for pregnancy-related lower back and pelvic girdle pain is limited. A 2020 systematic review concluded that the available evidence was “inconclusive but favourable” and that further high-quality research is needed before firm conclusions can be drawn.
If you are experiencing back or pelvic discomfort during pregnancy, an assessment at Dalkeith Chiropractic can help determine whether chiropractic care may be appropriate for you.
References
Weis CA, et al. Chiropractic Care for Adults With Pregnancy-Related Low Back, Pelvic Girdle Pain, or Combination Pain: A Systematic Review. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics. 2020.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32900544/