Prenatal

Pregnancy is a time of wonder and change, mystery and challenge, joy and fulfillment. It is a precious time in which the care and support we grant ourselves – physically, emotionally and spiritually – is especially important, not only for ourselves but also for the growing baby. Our role at Bridge Chiropractic is to provide a nurturing, mother-centered, safe and gentle means to promote optimum health before, during, and after pregnancy, both for mother and child. This will form the foundation of a life-long partnership in health and wellness for the whole family.

Our approach includes hands on therapies and education, which help the woman adapt to the changes her body goes through during pregnancy. Structural changes and associated symptoms which may occur during pregnancy include: increased curve of the low back, changes in center of gravity, alteration of gait and “flattening” of feet, increased laxity in joints (especially pelvis and low back), mid-back pain related to increased breast size and postural changes, hip pain, pain when rising from a seated/lying position, and sciatica.

Optimal uterine position is ideal for preventing in-utero constraint on the growing fetus and for safer, easier labor and deliveries.

If all the uterine ligaments are not in balance as uterus expands, it can tilt or tip causing the cervix to be mis-aligned with the center of the vaginal canal. This can present itself in the following ways:

Groin and/or anterior thigh pain, which may cause women to have to “take a break” from walking or activity
Abnormal pressure on the cervix causing pre-mature labor (with bed-rest, the uterus drops back and contractions stop)
Tipped uterus, which presents as lower abdominal pressure and cramping during pregnancy (if the uterine ligaments are not balanced, back pain during labor and delivery may occur)
Maternal rib pain or hip pain

The muscles of the pelvic floor are key stabilization muscles creating core strength. During pregnancy their role is increased due to the increased stress of carrying the baby. It is extremely important for the pelvic floor muscles to be balanced throughout the pregnancy. If the piriformis muscles are too tight bilaterally, the mother will complain of a tight band of pain across her low back. If only one side is tight, sciatic nerve pain may occur on the opposite side. She may complain of pubic bone pain, cramping above the pubic area, and possibly difficult urination when the pelvic floor muscles are not balanced.

Through our hands-on approach, we work to restore balance to the women’s ever-changing structures. Using a variety of low-force adjusting techniques, we help restore and maintain normal motion in the joints throughout the spine and pelvis. This removes any nerve irritation or interference that may be occurring as the mother’s body adapts to her growing baby. We also use a combination of soft tissue techniques and stretches to further support and balance the involved ligaments and muscles.

A wide variety of presentations walk into our office. Most commonly, we work with: low back and groin pain related to pregnancy, sciatica, heartburn, carpal tunnel presentation, headaches, hip pain, and difficulty with gait and associated foot/ankle pain, mid-back pain/stiffness. We are trained in the Webster Technique. This technique is done by gentle adjustments and ligamentous release to restore balance to the pelvis and ligaments. Aligning the pelvis and releasing the ligaments will help the uterus be in the proper position so the baby can move into the best position for labor and delivery.

Chiropractic care before and during pregnancy is an essential element of our pre-natal care choices. Obstetrical texts report that difficult labors are caused by pelvic imbalances and its resulting effects on your uterus and the baby’s position.

Chiropractic care restores balance to your pelvic muscles and ligaments which leads to easier births with fewer interventions such as pitocin, forceps, vacuum extractions and cesarean sections. Chiropractic adjustments not only reduce physical aches and pains, they remove interference on your nervous system allowing your uterus to function at maximal potential, and your baby to get into an optimal position for birth. This supports safer, and more satisfying labor and deliveries.

To learn more about chiropractic and whole family wellness visit the following links: