A study published in the International Chiropractic Association, by Dr. J. Fallon, author and internationally recognized chiropractic pediatrician, demonstrated that chiropractic adjustments effectively reduce the average amount of time spent in labor by 25% for first time mothers, and 33% for mothers who had previously given birth.

We are asked on a fairly regular basis here at the office if we perform chiropractic manipulations on pregnant women.

The answer is YES!

Chiropractic care, aside from being beneficial for overall health, is exceptionally conducive to healthy gestation and delivery, both for the mother and the new born baby, as it reduces labor time which in turn lessens stress on the infant, and helps to prevent a possible breach presentation at birth.

According to the new guidelines set by the IOM (Institute of Medicine), women of “normal weight” (based on BMI) before becoming pregnant should gain and average of 25 – 35 pounds during those nine months. That’s a lot of weight to gain in a fairly short time, and because most of it is concentrated in the abdomen, the spine and pelvis are guaranteed to come out of alignment.

Misalignment of the sacroiliac joints, (stretching of the ligaments between the sacrum and the ilium at the base of the spine) is among the majority of common causes of back pain during pregnancy. However, every woman carries differently and low back pain isn’t the only complaint. Neck, hip and pelvic pain tend to increase as the confinement progresses and it becomes increasingly difficult to sleep and perform daily activities comfortably.

Some women are skeptical at first as to the safety of chiropractic treatment during pregnancy, but rest assured, any respectable doctor will take your personal health issues and concerns into account before performing treatment of any kind.

So, if you’re sporting a baby bump this season – no matter how big! – and feeling any discomfort, or just want to improve the overall health of your pregnancy, don’t wait. Your pregnancy should be a special time, filled with wonderful memories, so come in and treat yourself and your new baby to a relaxing massage and spinal adjustment today – you’ll both be glad you did!