Chiropractic for Pregnancy in Bakersfield CA?

The physical stress of pregnancy can lead to a great deal of discomfort. It's common for women to visit a chiropractic office in Bakersfield CA regularly for low back pain, as well as other related issues, such as sciatica, leg cramps and constipation. This can lead to difficulty performing daily tasks as well as difficulties in labor.

Chiropractic treatment for pregnancy can be an outstanding source of relief for back pain. Many women also comment that the birthing process was easier after having undergone chiropractic treatments. The following article takes a more in-depth look at the discomfort caused by pregnancy and explains exactly how chiropractic treatment can help.

Prenatal Chiropractic in Bakersfield CA

During pregnancy, a woman’s body is undergoing a number of different changes to accommodate the growing baby. As the baby grows, a mother’s center of gravity shifts to the front of her pelvis, resulting in added stress and discomfort in the lower back and the various joints of the pelvis. At the peak of pregnancy, resulting from the associated weight gain, the curve in the lower back (lordotic curve) can increase to the point of causing a serious impact on the vertebral joints, the sacrum, and the hip joints.

The nerves that travel to all other parts of the body have their origin in the spine. When the spine is compressed, these nerves can become irritated causing the pain to radiate to other areas of the body. Sciatica is a condition commonly stimulated by pregnancy, involving pain that radiates from the lower back all the way down the legs.

If a previous issue exists with the alignment of the spine, and there has been a history of lower back problems, pregnancy will often aggravate the condition. Pregnancy can cause the spine to become misaligned to the point that it does not simply go back into place once the pregnancy is complete. This can make the tasks that become necessary once the child is born, such as carrying a baby on your front or back, breastfeeding, and bending over to lift and pick things up, painfully difficult.

Prenatal Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic practitioners can provide safe and effective personalized care throughout your pregnancy and in the postpartum period. A thorough examination will determine the best treatment to address your discomfort and prepare the body for the height of pregnancy and childbirth. There are specialized adjustment methods to accommodate pregnancy. These treatments may reduce the need for pain medications throughout the delivery as well as help to reduce labor time. Follow-up treatments can assist in realigning the body after the pregnancy and speed up the transition to a healthy post-pregnancy body.

1. BREECH PRESENTATION
   • Webster Technique: Helps turn a breech baby to a head-down position by balancing the pelvis and ligaments supporting the uterus, creating more space for the baby to move into the optimal position for delivery.
   • Increased Space for Baby: Chiropractic adjustments improve pelvic alignment, allowing more room for the baby to reposition.
2. BACK PAIN
   • Postural Changes: As pregnancy progresses, the center of gravity shifts, causing back pain. Chiropractic adjustments restore alignment and relieve pressure on the spine.
   • Pain Relief: Chiropractic care helps alleviate lower back discomfort by improving joint function and reducing inflammation, particularly in the lumbar and sacral areas.
   • Improved Nerve Function: Proper spinal alignment enhances nerve communication, benefiting the mother's body during pregnancy and promoting optimal functioning of organs and systems.
3. PELVIC PAIN
   • Pelvic Symmetry: Pregnancy hormones like relaxin loosen ligaments, which can lead to pelvic discomfort. Chiropractic care can help realign the pelvis, reducing pain.
   • Sacral and Pelvic Adjustments: Specific adjustments target sacral and pelvic misalignments, relieving pain in the pelvic girdle and pubic symphysis.
4. REBOZO TECHNIQUES FOR PREGNANCY
   • Pelvic Support: The Rebozo helps alleviate pelvic and lower back pain by supporting the growing belly and redistributing weight.
   • Pelvic Alignment: Rebozo techniques can help realign the pelvis, easing discomfort from misalignments or sacroiliac joint issues.
5. OVERALL HEALTH AND COMFORT
   • Reduced Stress: Chiropractic care helps reduce stress and tension, which is crucial during pregnancy’s physical and emotional changes.
   • Better Sleep: Aligning the spine and relieving muscle tension with chiropractic adjustments can improve sleep patterns and overall well-being.
6. POSTPARTUM RECOVERY
   • Restoring Pelvic Alignment: After delivery, chiropractic care helps realign the pelvis and spine, aiding recovery and promoting better posture.
   • Reducing Postpartum Pain: Adjustments address lingering pain from labor or delivery, particularly in the sacral and lumbar areas.
   • Supporting Healing: Chiropractic care assists in healing soft tissues and muscles stressed during pregnancy and childbirth.
7. BREASTFEEDING
   • Proper Posture: Chiropractors help improve posture during breastfeeding to prevent strain on the back, shoulders, and neck.
   • Neck and Shoulder Tension Relief: Chiropractic care can relieve tension from holding the baby in certain positions for extended periods, making breastfeeding more comfortable.

If you are curious about how chiropractic can help you with your pregnancy call our team at Bakersfield Family Chiropractic today. We are here to help.