Being pregnant is a special time filled with excitement and new vicissitudes for a person’s life and body. Along with the thrill of creating life, comes the other side that brings with it some discomfort. Right from the beginning, pregnancy can add unexpected changes to a woman’s life such as an increase in fatigue, digestive troubles, and food aversions. As the pregnancy progresses, the body begins to prepare for birth by producing a hormone called relaxin. Relaxin is released by the ovaries and the placenta to relax the ligaments in the body giving a woman the ability to be more flexible.
She may discover she is able to bend more easily and stretch with less restriction with the increase in relaxin. Although this is a necessary requirement in order to give birth and there is no pain or discomfort felt with the increased hormone, it becomes easier for things in the back and other areas of the body to slip out of place and cause a disruption with a woman’s alignment. When this happens pain may be more likely to develop in the lower back and legs. The expectant mother may feel a steady pain through her buttocks and legs accompanied with the inability to walk without discomfort. More pressure felt on the back, can cause a greater compression on the nerves which may result in numbness or tingling occurring in the legs, feet, arms or hands.
There are a few home remedies that can aid in the relief of these symptoms. Doctors may recommend cold compresses, warm compresses, rest or acetaminophen for pain relief but there is an alternative treatment that has had amazing results when dealing with pregnancy discomforts, and that is chiropractic care. This option is non-invasive and safe throughout a typical pregnancy.
Along with the ability to realign the spine which decreases pressure on the nerves, as well as eliminating tingling and numbness in the extremities, it has also been known to help a baby turn from a breech or posterior presentation into a head-down one, ideal for delivery. A chiropractic adjustment can also be used to aid a condition called intrauterine constraint. This happens when a mother’s pelvis is misaligned, reducing the amount of room available for the baby to grow. With simple and gentle manual manipulation, a chiropractor can realign the pelvis allowing the baby to grow unrestricted.
Perhaps one of the most valuable contributions to pregnancy chiropractic care has to offer is the ability to shorten labor. A study revealed that first-time mothers who received chiropractic care throughout their pregnancy had 24% shorter labor time. Their time was shortened on average from 14 hours to 8 or 9 hours. Second-time mothers had their labor times reduced even further from 9 to 10 hours down to just 4 or 5 hours. That is a 39% reduction. The benefits of chiropractic care do not end once the baby has been born.
A woman’s body goes through a series of trauma during the birthing process and can easily fall out of alignment, increasing recovery time and overall comfort. Seeing a chiropractor regularly will aid in returning the body to a healthy and balanced state as well as ease discomfort. Through the rigorous training, chiropractors endure to get their licensing, prenatal adjustments are taught, and the techniques used to assist a pregnant woman are mastered. Many chiropractors go on to study more intensely in advanced techniques in prenatal care becoming specialized in the newest and most effective ways to treat all pre and post-pregnancy ailments. Finding a doctor who is well versed in prenatal chiropractic care is essential in getting the best treatment when pregnant.
Dr. Steven Shoshany and his associates at the NYC Chiropractic and Spinal Decompression Center in Manhattan are well versed in the newest and most effective techniques for prenatal care. Dr. Shoshany is licensed and insured and has been in business for over 20 years, delivering the most trusted and thorough care to his New York City clientele. Equipped with his knowledgeable staff of professionals consisting of a physical therapist, massage therapist, and acupuncturist, women who come in for prenatal adjustments, will have a full-service set of doctors at their disposal to meet every ache and ailment they might have. Pregnancy, birth and after are a unique experience in a woman’s life. Let Dr. Shoshany make the process more comfortable and relaxing by taking away some of the stress and pain that pregnancy brings with it.
