Pregnancy brings significant changes to a woman’s body. As your baby grows, changes in posture, weight distribution and movement can place additional stress on the muscles and joints of the low back, pelvis and hips.
For some women, these changes can contribute to low back pain, pelvic discomfort, hip pain, sciatica and other musculoskeletal symptoms that can make everyday activities increasingly difficult.
At Collins Chiropractic Health & Wellness Centre, I provide gentle, individualized chiropractic care for pregnant women in Edmonton, with treatment adapted to each stage of pregnancy.
Why Does Back and Pelvic Pain Develop During Pregnancy?
As pregnancy progresses, your centre of gravity gradually shifts forward. The growing abdomen can increase the mechanical demands on the low back and pelvis, while hormonal changes associated with pregnancy can affect the tissues supporting the joints.
These changes may contribute to:
- Low back pain
- Pelvic and sacroiliac joint pain
- Hip and buttock pain
- Sciatica or pain travelling into the leg
- Mid-back discomfort
- Rib discomfort
- Muscle tension and stiffness
- Difficulty getting comfortable when sitting, standing or sleeping
Previous injuries, existing back problems, changes in activity and the physical demands of work or caring for other children can also influence how your body responds during pregnancy.
Chiropractic Care During Pregnancy
Pregnancy chiropractic care focuses on the neuromusculoskeletal changes occurring as your body adapts to pregnancy.
I begin by taking a thorough history and performing an appropriate examination to determine what may be contributing to your symptoms. Treatment is then individualized according to your stage of pregnancy, examination findings, comfort and needs.
Chiropractic care may include gentle spinal or pelvic adjustments, soft-tissue techniques, mobility work and advice about posture, movement and exercise.
The goal is to help improve joint, nerve, and muscle function, reduce mechanical stress and help you remain as comfortable and active as possible throughout your pregnancy.
Chiropractic Techniques Are Adapted During Pregnancy
Chiropractic treatment during pregnancy is not simply the same treatment you might receive at another time.
As your pregnancy progresses, positioning and treatment techniques are modified for comfort and safety. I adjust the amount of force and the techniques I use according to the individual patient and stage of pregnancy.
Special positioning and pregnancy-appropriate techniques allow treatment to be performed without placing unnecessary pressure on the abdomen.
Your comfort is always an important part of determining how you are treated.
Low Back Pain During Pregnancy
Low back pain is one of the most common neuromusculoskeletal complaints during pregnancy.
Changes in posture and load can increase stress through the lumbar spine, pelvis and surrounding muscles. For some women, discomfort is relatively mild. For others, back pain can interfere with walking, sleeping, working or exercising.
Chiropractic assessment can help identify whether restricted joint movement, muscular tension or other mechanical factors may be contributing to your symptoms.
If your condition is appropriate for chiropractic care, treatment is directed toward those findings rather than simply treating pregnancy-related back pain as though it has one cause.
Pelvic, Hip and Sacroiliac Joint Pain
Pain around the pelvis and hips can also become more noticeable as pregnancy progresses.
Some women experience discomfort around one or both sacroiliac joints at the back of the pelvis. Others notice pain in the buttock, hip or pubic region, particularly when walking, climbing stairs, rolling over in bed or getting in and out of a vehicle.
Because pain in these areas can have different causes, an appropriate assessment is important before deciding on treatment.
Sciatica During Pregnancy
Pain travelling from the low back or buttock into the leg is often described as sciatica.
Not all leg pain during pregnancy is caused by compression of the sciatic nerve. Muscles, joints and other structures around the lumbar spine and pelvis can produce similar symptoms.
A chiropractic examination can help determine the likely source of the pain and whether chiropractic treatment is appropriate.
Staying Active Throughout Pregnancy
For most women with uncomplicated pregnancies, remaining physically active is beneficial.
When back, pelvic or hip discomfort makes movement difficult, however, women may begin avoiding activities they would otherwise enjoy.
In addition to hands-on treatment when appropriate, I may recommend mobility exercises, strengthening, changes to everyday movements or modifications to your exercise routine.
The objective isn’t simply to reduce discomfort. It is also to help you continue moving confidently and comfortably throughout your pregnancy.
Learn More About Chiropractic Care During Pregnancy
Pregnancy can bring many questions about back pain, pelvic discomfort, staying active and whether chiropractic treatment is appropriate. Learn more about chiropractic care during pregnancy:
Chiropractic Care After Your Baby Arrives
The physical demands don’t end with delivery.
Feeding, carrying your baby, lifting car seats, interrupted sleep and spending long periods in unfamiliar positions can all place new stresses on the neck, shoulders and back.
Postpartum chiropractic care can address musculoskeletal problems that develop or persist after pregnancy and can help you gradually return to your normal activities and exercise.
As your child grows, our clinic also provides chiropractic care for babies, children and teenagers, allowing us to care for families through many different stages of life.
Over 30 Years of Experience Caring for Women and Families
I graduated from the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College in 1995 and have been providing chiropractic care for more than 30 years.
Over those years, I have treated women through different stages of pregnancy as well as parents, babies, children and entire families.
My approach combines chiropractic care with advice about movement, exercise and lifestyle, with treatment always adapted to the individual patient.
What to Expect at Your First Visit
Your first visit begins with a discussion of your pregnancy, current symptoms, health history and any previous injuries or musculoskeletal problems.
I will then perform an examination appropriate to your condition and stage of pregnancy.
If chiropractic treatment is appropriate, I’ll explain what I have found, discuss the treatment options with you and answer any questions you may have before proceeding.
If your symptoms suggest that chiropractic care is not appropriate or that further medical assessment is needed, I will recommend the appropriate next step.
Frequently Asked Questions About Chiropractic Care During Pregnancy
Chiropractic techniques can be modified to accommodate the physical changes that occur throughout pregnancy. Treatment should be individualized according to the patient’s health, stage of pregnancy, examination findings and comfort.
As with any healthcare treatment, chiropractic care is not appropriate for every condition. A proper history and examination help determine whether treatment is suitable.
Women may seek chiropractic care at different stages of pregnancy, particularly when discomfort begins affecting their normal activities.
Treatment techniques and positioning are modified as pregnancy progresses.
Chiropractic care may be appropriate for some forms of low back or pelvic pain during pregnancy. An examination is important because back pain during pregnancy can have different causes and not every cause should be treated with chiropractic care.
Diagnostic X-rays are not routinely required for pregnancy-related chiropractic care.
In most cases, the history and physical examination provide the information needed to determine whether chiropractic treatment is appropriate. If diagnostic imaging or further medical investigation is warranted, I will discuss the appropriate options with you.
Chiropractic Care for Pregnancy in Edmonton
If back, pelvic, hip or other musculoskeletal discomfort is making pregnancy more difficult, you don’t necessarily have to simply put up with it until your baby arrives.
At Collins Chiropractic Health & Wellness Centre, I have been helping Edmonton patients and families for more than 30 years. Pregnancy chiropractic care is individualized to your needs and adapted as your body changes throughout pregnancy.
Contact our Edmonton chiropractic clinic or book an appointment online to find out whether chiropractic care may be appropriate for you during pregnancy.
About Dr. Dean Collins
Dr. Dean Collins is an Edmonton chiropractor with over 30 years of clinical experience. Since 1995, he has helped patients of all ages improve mobility, reduce pain, and stay active through personalized chiropractic care. He practices at Collins Chiropractic Health & Wellness Centre in Edmonton, providing care for back, neck, joint, and other nerve and musculoskeletal conditions.
Learn more about Dr. Collins or book an appointment today.
To learn more about how chiropractor care can help you and your family, read Dr. Collins’ comprehensive guide to chiropractic care: Chiropractic Care for Everyone.
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