Pre- and post-natal care
The prenatal period constitutes the processes and changes that occur before a mom gives birth. The perinatal period describes the interval shortly before and after birth. Pregnancy is divided into three trimesters, each lasting approximately 3 months. Every trimester brings new development and changes in a mother’s posture, weight, hormones and activity level.
These changes include: headaches due to altered hormones or muscle spasm in the neck, spotting and light bleeding, overwhelming fatigue, weight gain due to water retention, fluids and an expanding belly, a higher blood pressure, hip pain, back pain, cramps, constipation and heartburn. In the pregnant mom, back and joint pain can either arise from ligament laxity or an increased lumbar lordosis due to a heavier belly.
Biomechanical changes in the spine occur during pregnancy. These include: a shift in the centre of gravity forwards and upwards and increased levels of relaxin (a hormone), which change the loading patterns in the spine and pelvis. An increase in spinal and sacroiliac joint compensation and mobility, due to ligament laxity is most often observed. Hormonally induced ligament laxity adds to a pregnant mom’s predisposition towards developing joint restrictions and pelvic pain.
Pregnant women have limited medication options to manage pain during pregnancy. Majority of pain medication such as NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), muscle relaxants and opioids are contraindicated during pregnancy. Chiropractic care is a safe and effective solution for pain management in the pregnant woman and in-womb baby. Chiropractic care for the pregnant mom is aimed at improving pelvic biomechanical function of ligaments and muscles and reducing pelvic and spinal pain. Chiropractic treatment and care may help for an easier delivery and labour for a pregnant mom.
At Spina Vita Chiropractic, we can help reduce or eliminate the symptoms associated with the following conditions:
- Neck and back pain
- Sacroiliac joint syndrome/dysfunction
- Joint pain
- Piriformis syndrome
- Headaches
- Muscle spasm
- Lumbar/cervical facet dysfunction
- Sciatica
- Pain from an increased lumbar lordosis
- Pelvic girdle pain