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Sports Chiropractic
Why See a Chiropractor During Pregnancy?
Chiropractic care during pregnancy is important in establishing balance in the mother’s pelvis. Dr. Tako, our experienced chiropractor, provides care specifically for fertility and pregnancy wellness for women who are pregnant or who are trying to conceive through nutrition. During pregnancy, stress and trauma on the expectant mother’s spine and pelvis may cause her pelvic opening to be compromised, resulting in a less-than-optimal passage for the baby. The contraction of pelvic diameter diminishes the capacity of the pelvic and results in difficulty (dystocia) during labor and delivery. The diameter of a women’s pelvis may also decrease due to a displaced sacrum. Chiropractors define this deformation or displacement as spinal misalignment or subluxation primarily caused by the stress of trauma. Sacral misalignment may cause the torsion and tightening of specific pelvic muscles and ligaments. These tense muscles and ligaments, and their constraining effect on the uterus, prevent the baby from comfortably assuming the best possible birth position.
Is Chiropractic Care Safe During Pregnancy?
Dr. Tako has been trained to work with pregnant women, and we use tables and cushions that adjust for a pregnant woman’s body. We also utilize techniques that avoid unneeded pressure on the abdomen. In addition, we may recommend whole food nutrition to improve your health and wellbeing during pregnancy. Through prenatal chiropractic we strive to avoid constraint and ensure the ideal position for the baby.
Prenatal Chiropractic Care
Benefits of Prenatal Chiropractic Care for You and Your Baby
There are many benefits to receiving chiropractic care during pregnancy. During pregnancy, a woman’s pelvis supports her growing uterus with specific ligaments. The uterus is able to enlarge symmetrically with the growing baby when the pelvic bones are balanced. If the pelvic bones are out of alignment, however, this will directly affect the way the uterus is supported. In some cases, the constraint caused by the misalignment of the pelvic bones restricts the baby’s positions during pregnancy, which adversely affects the baby’s developing cranium and spine. Any birth position other than the optimal vertex, occiput anterior position of the baby indicates the inhibiting effects of constraint. These other positions lead to longer, more painful labor with increased medical interventions during birth. In many cases, the mother and medical providers resort to a C-section, causing both the mother and baby to miss the many benefits of a natural vaginal birth. Through prenatal chiropractic care, Dr. Tako strives to avoid constraint and ensure the ideal position for the baby. In addition, chiropractic care during pregnancy can:
- Control symptoms of nausea
- Maintain a healthier pregnancy
- Prevent a potential cesarean delivery
- Reduce the time of labor and delivery
- Relieve neck, back and joint pain
Prenatal Chiropractic Techniques
We use the Webster Technique at the Chiropractic Way. This is a specific chiropractic analysis and adjustment designed to reduce interference to the nervous system and facilitate biomechanical balance in the pelvic muscles, ligaments and structures. The Webster Technique has been shown to reduce the effects of intrauterine constraint, which allows the baby to get into the best possible birth position.
The Webster Technique was developed by Dr. Larry Webster, founder of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association. He discovered this as a safe method to restore proper pelvic function and balance for pregnant women. This technique has a high-reported success rate in expectant mothers with a child in breech position; through this method, we can often help the baby return to a normal vertex position. The Webster Technique has also been found to be successful for women whose babies present transverse and posterior as well. In addition, it has been used successfully with twins. Any baby position other than ROA may indicate the presence of sacral subluxation and intrauterine constraint. However, the Webster Technique should not be interpreted as an obstetric, “breech turning” technique.
We strongly suggest that the Webster Technique analysis and adjustment of the sacrum be performed throughout pregnancy. This helps to detect imbalance and optimize pelvic biomechanics to prepare for an easier, safer birth. Because chiropractic adjustments have an effect on all body functions through reducing nerve system stress, it is recommended that expectant mothers have their spines checked regularly throughout pregnancy, which helps to optimize health benefits for both the mother and baby.
Postpartum Chiropractic Care
Why Is Postpartum Chiropractic Care Important?
During pregnancy, a woman’s body experiences many changes. The postpartum period also includes multiple changes for the mother’s body. Whether the birth is vaginal or cesarean, the mother’s pelvic biomechanics change after birth. In a vaginal birth, the pelvic bones sometimes become too far separated, causing intense pain and difficulty in walking during the days following delivery. These changes in the pelvic function and structure may cause discomfort in nursing, walking and sleeping. Through postpartum chiropractic in Sunnyvale, California, we can restore the pelvic balance through manipulation, stretches and exercises — including many of the same adjustments that were used during prenatal care. Dr. Tako may also recommend postpartum chiropractic care if the mother flexes for long periods of time, which is common during breastfeeding, bottle feeding or rocking the child. Carrying a car seat with an infant can also alter the biomechanics of the body. These factors can aggravate the mid back area and cause discomfort. Our chiropractor is skilled in treating women following delivery and in helping each patient achieve pelvic balance and pain relief.
Chiropractic Techniques
The Chiropractic Way is proud to be endorsed by Bay Area Maternity & Women’s Health for excellent services in prenatal chiropractic care that provide gentle and healthy methods with tremendous benefits to mother and child. To learn more about pregnancy wellness in Sunnyvale, California, please contact us at (408)-733-2223 today.