Pregnancy Chiropractic
at Grimes Family Chiropractic
Over 20 years ago, we started Grimes Family Chiropractic, seeing primarily kids and pregnant women. Since then, our office has morphed into a true family practice, and we have seen many of those kids have their own children, allowing us to check and adjust up to three generations at once. Dr. Grimes has told many patients that the best time to have your child checked is while they are still in the womb, because it is the mother’s nervous system that controls the baby’s growth and development.
Benefits of Chiropractic
Chiropractic care is about being healthy. In pregnancy, this is so important, because a mother’s health directly affects her baby’s health. Let’s be honest—pregnancy is a parasitic relationship, meaning your child is literally sucking the life out of you.
All joking aside, a woman’s body goes through so many dramatic changes during pregnancy. It’s a challenging time physically, chemically, and psychologically. Chiropractic care can help a woman manage these changes naturally, making her pregnancy the most vibrant time ever.
Of course, chiropractic care on an ongoing basis before pregnancy can also help women develop a more regular menstrual cycle and prepare their bodies for pregnancy. A strong, supple, balanced body helps a woman carry her baby better, and proper alignment of the pelvic bones can make for a more comfortable third trimester and for a speedier delivery.
Other benefits of chiropractic care during pregnancy include:
- Relief of back pain during pregnancy – 84% of women report reduced back pain after starting chiropractic
- Significantly less likelihood of back labor (contractions and sharp pain felt in the lower back during labor).
- Reduced need for pain medication – 50% of women said they needed less medication, or none at all
- 24-39% faster than average labor time
- Significantly reduced utilization of epidurals, forceps, vacuum extraction, episiotomies, and C-section
- Reduced likelihood of postpartum depression (PPD)
Subluxations where the sacrum joins the pelvis (hip) may prevent the baby from assuming the best possible position for birth. As the due date draws near, most babies have assumed a head-down position in the mother’s uterus. If the baby hasn’t turned, there is a greater chance of a more difficult breech birth or risky Cesarean intervention.
Developed by the late Larry Webster, D.C., this chiropractic technique releases stress on the pelvis, relaxing surrounding ligaments and reducing the sacral subluxation to restore more normal function.
Sacral subluxation may cause the tightening and twisting of pelvic muscles and ligaments, constraining the uterus. The goal of the adjustment is to reduce the effects of subluxation and the associated dysfunction of the SI joint. The result? Neurobiomechanical function in the sacral/pelvic region is improved, benefiting pregnant mothers or others with sacral subluxations.
Successful Approach
The July/August 2002 issue of the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics reports that 82% of chiropractors using the Webster Technique reported success. Sometimes with the Webster Technique, the associated dysfunction of the sacroiliac joint can be reduced with just one adjustment. But usually it takes between three to 10 visits over a several week period.
Because the Webster Technique relies on the inborn intelligence of the mother and baby, there is little risk. The method is based on the positive experiences of pregnant patients, the clinical experience of its many practitioners, academic studies on sacral subluxation and its consequences to proper pelvic function.
Book Today
Whether you’re looking to become pregnant or pregnant, call us today to schedule an initial consultation. We look forward to proactively helping you through this exciting time in your life and the life of your family.