Should You Get Adjusted During Pregnancy?

By Dr. Kevin Wafer

April 28, 2014


I am commonly asked by patients whether it is safe for someone to be adjusted while pregnant.  Not only is chiropractic care safe for pregnant patients, it is also very beneficial.  Chiropractic adjustments can ease the aches and pains of pregnancy, help make for an easier delivery and also help eliminate breach births.

One of the most common complaints during pregnancy is lower back pain.  This is the result of not only the additional weight gain, but also the altered biomechanics that result in the pelvis during this time.  In order to prepare for carrying and delivery of a child, the ligaments in the pelvis become lax and expand, which can cause the pelvis to shift out of its proper position.  This misalignment can cause lower back pain.  Chiropractic adjustments are able to keep the pelvis in its proper alignment, thus relieving lower back symptoms.  The vast majority of pregnant patients report significantly decreased lower back pain with chiropractic care.

Evidence also shows that women who receive chiropractic care are more likely to have shorten delivery times.  Studies have shown that those that undergo chiropractic care experience 25-31% shorter labor time that those that did not receive chiropractic care.  Women who combine chiropractic care and regular exercise also report increased energy, decreased mood swings, a decrease in nausea, and more restful sleep compared to women who are sedentary during pregnancy.

Finally, chiropractic care can be beneficial to women suffering from a breach presentation.  A breach presentation is one where the baby is positioned to be delivered feet first, instead of head first.  One study showed that patients that received chiropractic care while exhibiting a breach presentation, saw a 92% rate of correction, allowing for proper delivery and a much decreased risk of having a Caesarean section.

There are numerous benefits to chiropractic care during pregnancy.  Whether you are seeking to eliminate lower back pain that began during pregnancy, or you’d prefer to decrease your time in labor, chiropractic care can help.

Source:  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2647084/

Dr. Kevin Wafer

About the author

Dr. Kevin Wafer was born and raised in Spring, TX. Since his mother worked as a chiropractic assistant, he spent much of his childhood in a chiropractic clinic and was adjusted for the first time at only 3 months of age. Click Here To Read Full Bio

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