Pregnant women can attest to the fact that pregnancy is no walk in the park – at least for most women. Discomfort and pain are common during pregnancy and should be expected to some degree by the majority of pregnant women.
One study found that over 75 percent of pregnant women experience some sort of pregnancy-related pelvic pain, low-back pain or a combination of the two. The results also showed that this pain increases over the duration of a pregnancy. Chiropractic care in Tucker, GA is an effective and safe way to manage these symptoms as well as other musculoskeletal changes that take place during pregnancy.
Biomechanical processes and changes are often the result of the discomfort and pain many women experience during pregnancy and labor. The changes include an anterior shift in the center of gravity, weight gain, more lax lumbopelvic ligaments, an increase in lumbar lordosis as well as an altered gait pattern and other changes to a woman’s posture. Many obstetric doctors are not aware of the fact that the musculoskeletal conditions and symptoms related to pregnancy can be managed as well as improved with chiropractic care. Below are some of the conditions that occur during pregnancy that can be relieved with Tucker, GA chiropractic care.
Sciatic Nerve Pain Treated in Tucker, GA
Many women experience sciatic nerve pain during pregnancy in Tucker. Hypertonicity, or a continued increase in muscular tension, takes places in the gluteal muscles and the deep external rotators during pregnancy which can cause irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve. Research has shown that the baby’s growth can contribute to the uterus putting pressure on vasculature and can also add direct compression to the sciatic nerve. This can lead to the telltale sciatic lower back pain with associated radiation into the legs. Guess what – chiropractic care can help!
Low Back Pain treated by Chiropractors
An increase in stress on the lumbar spine is a major contributing factor in pregnancy, thanks to an anterior shift in the center of gravity. Muscles try to compensate and result in tightness as well as altered gait patterns, which further contribute to the pain. The level of lower back pain in pregnant women can vary, depending on the daily activities, work duties and activity level. Low back pain is also not uncommon to experience during the postpartum phase.
Sacroiliac Pain
Tucker chiropractors believed that hormonal changes during pregnancy can lead to lax ligaments that can cause the weight-bearing sacroiliac joints to shift. This increase in mobility can cause stress on surrounding muscles and pain, often leading to pain. Some patients describe their pain as hip pain when the sacroiliac joint is the actual cause of pain.
Round Ligament Pain
The round ligaments that support the uterus are comprised of contractile fibers, suspending and connecting it to the abdominal wall on each side. As the uterus gets bigger, the round ligaments stretch and cause sharp or stabbing pains on either side of the abdomen. Pain can also be felt in the attachment sites of these ligaments, located near the pubic bones or labia.
Pubic Symphysis Pain
The hormone Relaxin allows ligaments in the body to relax during pregnancy. The ligaments that stabilize the pubic symphysis joint are thus relaxed during this period, enabling the joint to move so it can separate. Women often experience pain in the pubic area as a result of this condition. Some women are diagnosed with what is called Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction, or SPD, which not only brings about pain but also limited mobility. Ask any chiro in Tucker!
Chiropractic Care During Pregnancy
Chiropractic care as part of a comprehensive prenatal care plan has been proven to hold a greater benefit for pregnant women than patients who receive traditional obstetric care alone. Patient education is a large part of the treatment plan, which can empower them to understand what is happening within their bodies while chiropractic adjustments from a certified Tucker, GA chiropractor can help to alleviate the sore muscles and joints that accompany many pregnancies.