Pregnancy is very exciting, getting ready to add new life to your family, but it also causes many physiological changes in the mother that she may not be ready for or know how to handle. These physiological changes can cause discomfort and pain, and chiropractic is a safe and effective way to handle this pain.

Pregnancy related weight gain can add pressure onto joints, causing them to move out of position and become painful. Increased fluid retention on nerves can cause sciatica, carpal tunnel syndrome, and nerve pain. A growing belly can cause a shift in a mother’s center of gravity, which leads to altered biomechanics. There may be an increased back curve, forward head position, or pelvic unleveling that form from a pregnant woman’s ‘new’ body. Tension headaches are very common during the first trimester as well, and chiropractic can help relieve the discomfort. The mother-to-be may also be experiencing neck pain and lower back pain.

Seeing a chiropractor can help with physiological changes in a mother, and also can help the health of the baby. There are many benefits to choosing chiropractic during pregnancy, such as:

• Providing a more comfortable pregnancy & delivery
• Reducing time length of labor & delivery
• Relieving back, neck or joint pain
• Preventing a potential cesarean delivery with breech through Webster Technique
• Optimal baby position to reduce risk of breech and dystocia (obstructed labor)
• Increased relaxin allows for gentle techniques
• Maintaining an overall healthier pregnancy

According to a study from the Journal of Chiropractic and Manual Therapy published in 2014, 50-80% of pregnant women suffer from lower back and pelvic pain, with most reporting it impacts their quality of life. This study recruited pregnant women who had not received chiropractic therapy within three months. The article states, “52% of 115 recruited patients ‘improved’ at 1 week, 70% at 1 month, 85% at 3 months, and 90% at 6 months.”

Dr. Herold is a member of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA) and has abundant experience treating pregnant women and children. If you or someone you know is pregnant in Harford County or the greater Baltimore area, have them give our office a call at (410) 877-8077 to see how we can help relieve discomfort and pain, and help with a healthy pregnancy.