Chiropractors are not allowed to claim that chiropractic can help with much when it comes to conception, pregnancy and post partum. However what we have noticed are consistent case studies where chiropractic, especially teamed with other holistic modalities and healthy life style habits can have a positive impact on fertility, a healthy pregnancy and birth outcomes.
How may chiropractic help with fertility:
Chiropractic helps to remove nerve interference, allowing the
body to self heal. What this means is our brain coordinates the body’s entire organ and cell function via the nervous system . So it would make sense that if the nerve function to the uterus and reproductive organs were compromised then so too would be the chances of conceiving, becoming pregnant and holding a healthy baby to full term.
Chiropractic care may help during pregnancy by:
- Correcting abnormal joint mechanics that lead to joint and nerve stress –this helps to reduce pain and improve function during pregnancy and labour/birth (1)
- Optimising thoracic (mid back) mechanics may decrease mid back pain and dysfunction (due to an increase in breast size)
- Maintaining the thoracolumbar (mid to low back) flexibility can help decrease unnecessary discomforts such as sciatica, low back, pubic and pelvic pain
- Maintaining optimal joint function and spinal balance so the spine and pelvis may adapt to changes in weight distribution and posture, maximising space for uterus to expand symmetrically and without constraint
- Using techniques such as the Webster technique to prevent or relieve uterine constraint and encourage optimal foetal development and positioning for labour and birth. Decreased uterine space (often due to a twisted or torqued pelvis/sacrum) may also prevent the baby moving to the ideal head down position in the final trimester.
- Providing freedom from nerve interference allows for development of a healthier baby and mother
- Ensuring joints of low back and pelvis are moving freely in order to function optimally, and ideally without pain during pregnancy. Importantly having a balanced pelvis also assists in the birth process by allowing maximum smoothness, opening and space for baby to exit, decreasing labour times and pain. (1) Any baby position even slightly off during birth may slow down labor increasing the likelihood of interventions such as epidurals, forceps or suction.
- Optimising nerve function often assists and even eliminates suynptoms sych as nausea, heartburn, shortness of breath, constipation, haemorrhoids, frequent urination and even fatigue.
- Educating on correct pregnancy posture, lifting techniques, exercises and other lifestyle factors to reduce spinal stress and injuries (especially linked with ligamentous laxity) and improve pregnancy and labour outcomes
- Quicker recovery post birth due to spinal and pelvic mechanics being able to restore back to optimal function quicker and with less /minimal trauma.
Studies have shown that chiropractic adjustments result in easier
pregnancies, decreased labor time and assist new mothers back to pre partum
health more swiftly. In one study, women receiving chiropractic care through their first pregnancy had 24% shorter labor times than the non-chiropractic group and
multiparous subjects had 39% shorter labor times. (1) In addition to this 84% of women reported relief of low back pain
during pregnancy with chiropractic care (2). Due to the joints of your pelvis
functioning better there is a significantly less likelihood of back pain when
receiving chiropractic care through pregnancy.
1 Fallon J. Chiropractic and Pregnancy: A Partnership for the Future. ICA International Review of
Chiropractic Nov/Dec 1990; 46(6:39-42)
2 Diakow PRP, Gadsby TA, Gadsby JB et al. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics.
Vol.14, No 2. Feb 1991.
Chiropractic post birth:
We recommend the newborn and the mother be checked as soon as possible following the birth. Chiropractic may accelerate the healing and recovery process as well as having many health benefits such as:
– Better emotional well being -adjustments release chemicals such as dopamine and certain endorphins which decrease stress and make you feel better (less chance of post natal depression)
– Quicker recovery – assistance with return of lumbo pelvic mechanics and spinal alignment, balance and stability
– Assist a smooth transition to breast feeding – especially by maintaining the integrity of the mid back. A case study done in 2007 concluded that spinal misalignments and the neurological interference play a major role
in Hypolactation. The researchers suggested, “Chiropractic evaluation would be a key element in the holistic assessment of the failure to establish milk
supply in the post partum patient.” (1)
References:
(1) Breastfeeding – 3 case studies REF: Vallone SA. The Role of Subluxation and Chirorpractic
Care in Hypolactation. JCCP. 2007;8(1&2).
