Pain During Pregnancy: Can Chiropractic Care Help?
Pregnancy and Chiropractic Care
Pregnancy can be a beautiful experience, but it can also come with its share of physical discomforts. As the body changes and adapts to accommodate a growing baby, it is common to experience a range of symptoms such as back pain, leg pain, and joint pain. While these symptoms are common, they can be distressing and affect your quality of life. Chiropractic care can help you manage your symptoms and enjoy pregnancy. To learn more about chiropractic click here.
Back Pain
One of the most common symptoms of pregnancy is back pain, affecting approximately 50% of all pregnant women. As the baby grows, the weight of the uterus increases, putting pressure on the lower back. This can result in back pain and discomfort due to the change in biomechanics. The angles of natural lordosis of the spine increase as the belly grows, displacing the body’s center of gravity anteriorly and superiorly. Because the pelvis is connected to the lumbar spine via the hip flexor muscles, an anteriorly tilted pelvis shortens the hip flexors and increases lordosis of the spine. This causes a change in weight distribution that increases the forces put through joints in the low back and cause pain. Additionally, an increase in circulating progesterone, estrogen, and relaxin throughout gestation, especially in the third trimester, brings about pelvic hypermobility and may reduce spinal stability.
Labour Time
Some studies have suggested that there may be a relationship between back pain throughout pregnancy and a longer duration of the labor and delivery process. A retrospective review of statistics reported that women pregnant with their first baby who seek chiropractic care throughout gestation have shorter labor time. Additionally, multiparous women (women that have birthed more than one child) who seek chiropractic care have, on average, 31% shorter labor times. It is important to note that chiropractic care does not guarantee a shorter labour time, nor does it aim to do so. This relationship is an association that is still being investigated as the exact mechanisms are not fully understood. More research is needed to draw definitive conclusions.
Hips and Pelvis
Pregnancy can also cause joint pain, particularly in the hips and pelvis. As the levels of your hormones change, the ligaments become more pliable, and ligament laxity increases. Consequentially, one of the muscles of the pelvis, the piriformis, can become contracted to maintain external rotation of the femurs. This is compensation serves two purposes:
It provides women more stability when walking and prevents risk of falling
It opens the pelvis to make space for the baby.
This tightness of the piriformis can create pain and may even elicit sciatic like symptoms in the buttock and down the leg. Additionally, as the sacrum is pulled anteriorly, the orientation of the sacrum causes an increase in the lumbar lordosis, which increases the activity of another hip muscle, called the iliopsoas. This can present as tightness in the front of the hips, decreased hip extension, snapping hip syndrome, and even lateral femoral nerve compression. Gentle myofascial release of the piriformis and iliopsoas can greatly aide in the reduction of pain and tension and is something that chiropractors are trained to recognize and treat.
Sleep
Pregnancy can make it difficult to get a good night's sleep, especially in the later stages as the uterus expands. It can be uncomfortable to find a comfortable sleeping position, leading to a continuous cycle of restless nights, poor sleep, and increased discomfort and pain. Chiropractic care can help improve sleep by addressing back pain, joint pain, and other physical discomforts that may be interfere with sleep. Additionally, chiropractors can provide tailored advice to optimize your preferred sleep position. This includes information about sleep hygiene, pillow size and shape, mattress density, and postural support.
Kinesio taping
Kinesio taping is a therapeutic technique that involves the application of a special tape to the skin to promote healing and alleviate pain. The tape is made from elastic cotton and is designed to mimic the natural movement of the skin and muscles. This technique has gained popularity in recent years, especially among athletes, but it can also be beneficial for pregnant women experiencing pain.
Kinesio taping can help alleviate these symptoms by providing support and reducing tension in the affected areas. The tape is applied in specific patterns to help lift and support the muscles and reduce pressure on the joints. A study by Draper et al. concluded that “a taping protocol to a plan of management in women with pregnancy-related low back pain or pelvic girdle pain may be a safe and effective option to alleviate pain” in 2019, supporting the use of kinesio taping for this population. Kinesio taping is a non-invasive treatment option for pregnant women and can provide relief without the use of medication or invasive procedures. It can be used in conjunction with other treatments, such as soft tissue therapy, spinal manipulation, and exercise therapy to help manage pain and improve overall well-being during pregnancy.
It is important to note that kinesio taping should only be done by a trained professional as improper application of the tape can cause skin irritation or even worsen the symptoms. Pregnant women should always consult with their healthcare provider before starting any new treatment, including kinesio taping.
Exercise
Exercise during pregnancy can be beneficial for both the mother and the baby. Regular physical activity can help improve overall health, reduce pain, and alleviate some of the discomforts associated with pregnancy. Evidence also exists that women who exercise during pregnancy may have reduced incidence of constipation, improved bladder control, decreased incidence of varicose veins, improved sleep, less heartburn, and fewer leg cramps compared with women who do not exercise during pregnancy. Please keep in mind that it is important to get cleared by your obstetrician for exercise, as certain complications are contraindications for exercise during pregnancy.
One of the primary benefits of exercise during pregnancy is improved cardiovascular health. Regular exercise can help improve blood flow and reduce the risk of complications. It can also help improve endurance and prepare the mother for labor and delivery.
According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the benefits of exercise during pregnancy include:
Reduced back pain
Eased constipation
May decrease risk of gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and cesarian birth
Promotes healthy weight gain during pregnancy
Improved overall fitness and strengthens the heart and blood vessels
Helps to lose the baby weight after the baby is born
It is important to note that not all types of exercise are safe during pregnancy. Before starting an exercise program, one should consult with their obstetrician for clearance. Depending on the fitness level before pregnancy, it may be advisable to start slowly and gradually increase the intensity and duration of their workouts as strength and endurance gains improve. A chiropractor can help build an exercise program that is tailored to your goals and set appropriate parameters to achieve safe progress. Additionally, chiropractors can perform supervised exercise to ensure that they are being performed safely and with good form.
Conclusion
Chiropractic care during pregnancy can provide a range of benefits for expectant mothers. From reducing back pain and improving joint function to improving sleep and giving physical activity recommendation, chiropractic care can help you manage the physical discomforts of pregnancy. If you are pregnant and experiencing physical discomfort, it is worth considering chiropractic care. Remember to consult with your obstetrician to ensure that chiropractic care is right for you and your baby. You can expect a thorough pregnancy-related history to be taken by your chiropractor to screen out any red flags, or contraindications before treatment is rendered to ensure that chiropractic care is a good fit for your needs. To book in your appointment near you in Markham, click the button below.
Written by: Dr. Angeline Foote, DC
Dr. Foote is a chiropractor in Markham that practices evidence-based care. Her appointments are centered around educating her patients about the root cause of an injury, and providing therapy to give pain relief. With a strong background in exercise progression, she is able to prescribe a rehabilitation program to provide you with long term relief.
References:
Conder, Rebecca et al. “The Biomechanics of Pregnancy: A Systematic Review.” Journal of functional morphology and kinesiology vol. 4,4 72. 2 Dec. 2019, doi:10.3390/jfmk4040072
Takeda, Kaname et al. “Changes in balance strategy in the third trimester.” Journal of physical therapy science vol. 27,6 (2015): 1813-7. doi:10.1589/jpts.27.1813
Borggren, Cara L. “Pregnancy and chiropractic: a narrative review of the literature.” Journal of chiropractic medicine vol. 6,2 (2007): 70-4. doi:10.1016/j.jcme.2007.04.004
Draper, Crystal et al. “Taping protocol for two presentations of pregnancy-related back pain: a case series.” The Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association vol. 63,2 (2019): 111-118.
Cooper, Danielle B. and Lily Yang. “Pregnancy And Exercise.” StatPearls, StatPearls Publishing, 21 April 2022.
Hammer, R L et al. “Exercise during the childbearing year.” The Journal of perinatal education vol. 9,1 (2000): 1-14. doi:10.1624/105812400X87455
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