Prenatal Chiropractic in Aurora

A Comprehensive Consultation and Exam

A full history and focused pregnancy exam are crucial to our care plan. We’ll discuss past pregnancies and how the current pregnancy is progressing. We will review what trimester the mother is currently in and any noticeable changes to their health whether it be with their spine, sleep patterns, energy, digestion, anything that could be affected by the pregnancy.

Based on the history and exam, your doctor will conduct orthopedic and range of motion tests in addition to any other type of neurological exams that may be pertinent to the issue they’re experiencing. The main goal is always to uncover the underlying cause of the problem. By correcting the cause and not the symptoms we can make sure that the issue doesn’t get worse over time and affect not only the mother but the baby as well.

Specific Chiropractic Care

In our office, adjustments are very important because the increased stress on the body along with the increased weight of the baby will make any weaknesses in the spine more pronounced. We want to decrease the pressure on the nerves that is preventing the body from communicating effectively with the brain. Relieving nerve pressure will allow your spine to function properly. We take special care and use specific techniques when working with pregnant moms to accommodate the growing baby.

Webster Technique

At Buchar Family Chiropractic, we have doctors that are specialized in the Webster Technique. It’s a specific technique that analyzes and adjusts the spine to reduce interference in the nervous system. This will improve the functioning of the pelvic muscles and ligaments leading to a reduction in the mother’s uterine constraint and allow the fetus the best opportunity to be positioned for a healthy birth. We want to avoid a breech birth or any position that won’t allow for a natural birth.

Massage Therapy and Soft Tissue Work

Massage therapy works very well with pregnant patients. We want to loosen any tight muscles, especially the psoas muscle, to allow the spine to move properly. Massage also helps to hold the chiropractic adjustments better. As the pelvis and low back change, it’s important to address any muscles that are being pulled or shortened, whether that’s the hamstrings, the piriformis, or the hip flexors.

We use special accommodations like pads and pregnancy pillows so pregnant women can receive massage therapy comfortably, even later in their pregnancy. Beyond pain relief, massage also helps with sleep and anxiety by relieving the stress of a new or soon-to-be mother.

• Low Back Pain: Low back pain is very common during pregnancy, due to extreme changes in physiology. Weight gain can result in posture changes, hormonal changes, stress, and muscle separation. In our office, we focus on solutions like stretching and exercise, acupuncture, hot and cold therapies, and chiropractic adjustments.
• Pelvic Pain: Pelvic pain is another common condition we will see in our offices. Pelvic pain may be due to the stretching ligaments, changing hormone levels, organs moving to accommodate a growing uterus, round ligament pain, diastasis recti pressure from the baby’s weight, an ovarian cyst, or Braxton Hicks contractions. It’s important to know the difference between the normal aches and pains of pregnancy and more severe pain as a warning sign of something worse. That’s why it’s so important to be evaluated in the office.
• Symphysis Pubis Disorder (SPD): 60% of women experience pain in the symphysis pubis. The hormone, Relaxin, relaxes ligaments to increase the range of motion for childbirth leading to instability and pain. We will evaluate the mother for any pelvic rotation that could be attributed to her SPD and treat according to the pelvic deficiencies found.
• Round Ligament Pain: 10% to 30% of pregnant women will experience round ligament pain during their first and second trimesters. Aches, cramps, or sharp stabbing pain can be a result of the stretching and tightening of the round ligament. Chiropractic care can help by adjusting the pelvis, sacrum and applying focused pressure on the round ligament.
• Breech Baby: A breech baby is when a baby is born in an improper position. When a baby is in a breech presentation, it increases the risk of harm to the baby and mother. The goal of chiropractic care is to turn the baby naturally or to assist the baby in positioning itself correctly to ensure smooth labor.
• Sciatica: The sciatic nerve runs from the lower back down both legs. Sciatica is when that nerve is compressed and sends shooting pain down into the legs. It can be very debilitating. In pregnant women, sciatica is usually the result of weight gain, fluid retention, uterus expansion, a shifting center of gravity, or the baby’s position. The risk of sciatica increases with the first pregnancy as well as shifting hormonal levels, stress, and fatigue. To limit sciatic nerve pain you should decrease your stress level, take it slow and allow the body time to heal. In the office, sciatica from pregnancy can be relieved through massage, acupuncture, and chiropractic adjustments.