Chiropractic care for the pregnant patient can offer invaluable help when it comes to low back pain. It’s hard enough for the pregnant patient to deal with the hormone changes with pregnancy, and there is no need to have to put up with low back pain or leg pain. As a denver chiropractor, I have met several women that believe that low back pain is normal with pregnancy and that it is something that they just have to cope with.
Once the pain becomes to intense to deal with, that is usually when they come seeking help from the chiropractor. I encourage the expecting mother to see their chiropractor that has experience in dealing with the pregnant patient, because they can offer many treatments and some great advice.
Besides getting pain relief, many women report that chiropractic care aids in the ease of delivery. Several research papers have been published on manipulative therapy for low back pain in pregnancy, and report great results (Diakow 1991, Epstein 1959, Parsons 1994) and specifically, manipulation of the sacroiliac joints (Berg 1988, Daikow 1991, Golightly 1982, Sandleer 1996, Sands 1959). Manipulation of the low back in pregnancy is a very low risk procedure (Daikow 1991, Hitchcock 1976, Philips 1995, Sandler 1996)
Hormones, specifically relaxin, which peaks in the first trimester and at delivery is believed to soften the pelvic structures to allow for delivery is one of the causes indirectly for the low back pain. According to the research by Bookhout 1988, and Perkins 1998, the sooner the pregnant patient is treated, the better the opportunity for successful management. Other contributing causes being the altered biomechanics of the musculoskeletal system due to the developing fetus and its contribution to your altered center of gravity, in turn putting altered stress on the biostructures.
There are many options that the chiropractor has in treating the pregnant patient such as:
1. Various positioning for successful manipulation
2. Various manipulation techniques – low force, instrument, SOT blocks, drop table, muscle energy techniques, mobilization
3. Soft tissue therapy – variety of techniques usually applied to the varius muscles/tendons/ligaments surrounding the low back/pelvis/legs
4. Physiotherapy – moist heat, ice, e-stim
5. Supportive devices – trochanteric type belts
6. Exercise recommendations
7. Ergonomic and activity modifications
To Your Health,
Dr. Trent Artichoker MS, DC
Denver Chiropractic, LLC
3890 Federal Blvd Unit 1
Denver, CO 80211
303-455-2225
About the Author:Trent Artichoker
Denver chiropractor, Dr. Artichoker uses a variety of techniques to treat neck pain, back pain, whiplash, and sports injuries. He is the owner of Denver Chiropractic, LLC, which is located near down town Denver.
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http://LloydChiro.com/blog Todd Lloyd, DC
