Chiropractic Treatments In Pregnancy Care
Chiropractors use the Webster technique to provide prenatal care to expecting mothers, with the former aim of reducing the risk of dystocia, which is defined as difficult labour and birth.
The Webster Technique
The Webster Technique is a specific chiropractic technique used to analyse sacrum subluxation and pelvic balance. This allows for gentle and safe diversified adjustment to be applied according to the detailed assessment. These adjustments are aimed at improving neuro-biomechanical dysfunction in the sacrum and pelvis. The technique is recognised by the ICPA (International Chiropractic Paediatric Association) to help pregnant mothers improve their physical wellbeing during their pregnancy.
What Are The Benefits Of The Webster Technique?
This technique is vital in treating sacral subluxation, a condition in which your sacrum moves slightly beyond its maximum range, causing the sacroiliac joint (SI joint) to lock up or get stuck. Sacral subluxation is usually the result of accident or injury trauma, overextension, poor posture, arthritis, or very often pregnancy.
Adjustments done using the Webster Technique are safe for both the mother and the baby.
Physiotherapy Treatments In Pregnancy Care
During pregnancy, the body undergoes several changes to accommodate and support the weight of the baby. Physiotherapists work with expecting mothers to strengthen the body and muscles, improving flexibility in preparation for the birth. A physiotherapist can:
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Offer advice on exercise
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Assist with postural changes during pregnancy
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Aid with strengthening pelvic floor muscles to protect against urinary incontinence
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Provide advice on how to push during labour to reduce pelvic floor trauma
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Provide deep tissue massage for improvements to sleep quality, stress and anxiety levels, joint swelling, muscular cramps and pains, nerve pain, and baby’s stress hormones.
The body undergoes numerous changes as you progress through the trimesters of pregnancy, accommodating the growth of your baby. Thus, your practitioner will focus their attention and efforts in accordance with your needs. Generally, treatments throughout the first, second, and third trimester will incorporate:
First Trimester
Education about maternal and foetal changes, and therapy that focuses on posture and pre-existing musculoskeletal problems. Challenges at home and work identified and addressed.
Second Trimester
Focus on stretching techniques to improve flexibility of lower limbs and pelvis. Mobility exercises introduced to strengthen the spine and abdomen, enhance fitness, and manage pain.
Third Trimester
Advanced strengthening of the spine and abdomen with pelvic floor exercises. Techniques to improve flexibility of lower limbs and pelvis, as well as pain management are introduced.
POSTPARTUM
CARE
Women And Postpartum Care
While a woman’s body undergoes several changes during pregnancy to accommodate the growth and weight of the baby, these same changes frequently remain once the baby is born. Many women report a myriad of symptoms ranging from incontinence to pain during sexual encounters.
Some of the effects of pregnancy on the spine are:
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Abdominal muscles lengthen and weaken
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Increased ligament laxity, hypermobility of joint
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Pelvic floor drops as much as 2.5cm
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Development of knee pains, back pains, and so on
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Center of gravity changes
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Potential of suffering from dystocia
In addition to the above effects, pregnancy is also known to change a woman’s core and pelvic floor. During pregnancy, the weight of the baby is fully deposited onto the pelvic floor muscles. It is also the main reason many women begin experiencing mild incontinence as well as decreased quality of sexual experiences, from as early as during pregnancy to later in life.
Some symptoms of a weakened pelvic floor include:
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Lower back pain
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Uncontrollable urine leakage
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Frequent urination and urge to urinate
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Night time urination causing bad sleep
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Pain during sexual intercourse
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Pelvic organ prolapse
Post-partum, these conditions can be treated through both chiropractic and physiotherapy therapies.
Postpartum
Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic care and chiropractic adjustments can be beneficial for postpartum women in a myriad of ways, providing relief and helping to realign the spine and pelvis after giving birth. The right treatments can also help:
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Restore the body’s bio-mechanics and posture after birth.
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Encourage quicker healing postpartum.
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Improve sciatica and provide pain relief.
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Support and restore pelvic function.
Postpartum
Physiotherapy Care
Postpartum physiotherapy treatments aim at restoring pain free movement, helping postpartum women to incorporate new and better habits. To this end, postpartum physiotherapy help can come in the form of exercises, stretches, lifestyle changes, and more. The right postpartum physiotherapy treatment can help:
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Restore and strengthen pelvic floor muscles.
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Improve postpartum posture in general, as well as for breastfeeding.
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Improve heart health and promote postpartum weight loss.
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Aid with psychological well being and mood management.
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Improve sexual health as well as sexual dysfunction.