More and more women are discovering the many benefits associated with regular chiropractic treatment during and post pregnancy at Evolve Wellness Centre in Vancouver.
They appreciate the care and support specific to pregnancy provided by our highly skilled practitioners. These benefits include:
- Reduction in back and pelvic pain
- Reduction in round ligament pain
- More ease with the natural changes related to pregnancy
- Improved alignment of the pelvis
- Reduced symptoms of sciatica
- Reduction in mid-back and rib pain that arises as the baby grows
- Making a faster recovery post childbirth
The fact is, women undergo many hormonal and physical changes during their pregnancy. The increasing levels of hormones such as estrogen, progesterone and relaxin cause ligaments throughout the body to lengthen and loosen, leading to reduced stability of joints. As preexisting or unnoticed imbalances in the spine become stressed, pregnant women can experience difficulty and pain even with routine activities. Studies show that more than 50% of women will experience some kind of back pain during pregnancy. Other common pain and discomfort that pregnant women report include:
- Neck pain
- Pelvic pain and pressure
- Aching legs and buttocks
- Peripheral swelling
- Sciatica or shooting pain down the leg/foot
- Fatigue and low energy
- Nighttime muscle spasms
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Sleep disturbances
Our Evolve chiropractors have years of hands-on experience providing prenatal, postnatal and pediatric care. Dr. Rahim is certified with the Academy of Chiropractic Family Practice, having completed the 200-hour Certification Program (CACCP) with the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA). She is also certified in the Webster Technique — an adjustment technique that has proven particularly beneficial to pregnant women.
FAQs
Definitely! Chiropractic is a safe healthcare option for pregnant women. This kind of holistic care offers a drug-free, non-invasive and natural approach to health and wellness that allows for the release of tension and reduction of imbalances in the body caused by hormonal and physical changes. At Evolve Wellness, we not only alter chiropractic techniques for pregnant women, but also provide special pillows to ensure a comfortable and relaxing experience.
The Webster Technique was developed by Dr. Larry Webster, founder of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association. While this specific chiropractic sacral analysis and diversified adjustment technique can be utilized for all weight-bearing individuals, it offers special consideration for pregnant women.
The sacrum is often referred to as the tailbone. It sits between two other bones, the innominates. These three bones form the ring of the pelvis, with the innominates joining at the front to form the pubic symphysis. The innominates join with the sacrum at the back to form the sacroiliac joint. The sacrum has a similar function to the keystone of an arch: stabilizing the lower extremities and pelvis while allowing us to weight bear. When the sacroiliac joint becomes misaligned and restricted in its ability to move properly, muscles and nerves in the area become irritated, function of the lower quarters becomes impaired, and pain develops. This misalignment is also referred to as a joint restriction.
Throughout a pregnancy, in preparation for labour and delivery when the female pelvis needs to expand and shift to accommodate passage of the baby, hormones like relaxin cause ligaments of the pelvis to loosen. As ligaments are loosening and the centre of mass shifts while the baby grows, we often see sacroiliac joint restrictions and muscle spasms that lead to low back pain and symptoms resembling sciatica. In addition, sacroiliac misalignments cause distortion through the entire pelvic ring and influence tension in the round ligaments. These ligaments help to support the uterus by connecting it to the pubic bone. They are 80% muscle — when there is twisting through the pelvis the round ligaments often spasm, causing a sharp, gripping pain around the low abdomen.
The Webster Technique is ideal for a pregnant patient because the assessment and application of adjustment considers the effects that the hormonal changes and growing baby have on the pregnant body. The goal of the adjustment is to reduce sacroiliac joint dysfunction in order to improve the neuro-biomechanical function in the pelvic region — and greater comfort for the patient.
At Evolve Wellness Centre in Vancouver, our experienced chiropractors are certified in the Webster Technique. They modify their adjustment techniques to ensure safety, comfort and efficacy for their pregnant patients.
