Guide | Chiropractic Care During Pregnancy: Pain Relief or Cause for Concern?
Lower back pain, pelvic pain, and sciatica are common during pregnancy. In recent years, chiropractic care, considered a form of alternative medicine, has become increasingly popular among pregnant women for its reported pain relief, despite ongoing controversy.
Shawn Kelley of Minnesota had a preterm birth during her first pregnancy and was placed on bed rest in her second after contractions began at 22 weeks. After trying chiropractic care, she said her contractions eased considerably, the fetus moved higher, her back pain improved, and she resumed daily activities. “For an hour or two after every adjustment, the pain and pressure were reduced,” she said.
Growing Popularity During Pregnancy
Chiropractic care is one of the most popular alternative therapies in the United States, after relaxation therapy, herbal medicine, and massage. According to the American Chiropractic Association, about 22 million Americans received chiropractic care last year. Although no specific figures are available for pregnant women, midwives and some doctors commonly recommend it for musculoskeletal pain during pregnancy.
Chiropractors generally use gentle manual techniques to adjust the spine, joints, and muscles. For pregnant patients, they use special cushions or tables designed to avoid pressure on the abdomen. Hormone-related ligament laxity allows gentler adjustments. Some chiropractors also claim that certain positions can help turn a breech fetus.
Relief for Common Pregnancy Discomforts
New York chiropractor Sheilagh Weymouth says she often treats headaches, lower back pain, pubic pain, and rib misalignment. Rapid weight gain, a shifting center of gravity, and hormonal effects can contribute to joint misalignment, and chiropractic treatment may relieve these problems. Some women attend regular sessions to maintain balance and reduce discomfort.
Julia Murphy is one example. At age 39, she carried a 10-pound baby and experienced almost no morning sickness, swelling, or sciatica. She credits regular chiropractic care for part of that experience.
Reported Benefits and Ongoing Debate
Some clinical experience and chiropractic research reports suggest that treatment may reduce labor pain or help turn a breech fetus. Chiropractor Carol Phillips claims a 90% success rate with her method.
Conventional medicine remains cautious. Ronald Chez, professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of South Florida, says high-quality evidence of effectiveness in pregnant women is lacking. James Dillard, MD, is also concerned that because pregnancy hormones already loosen ligaments, improper techniques may worsen pain.
Midwife Mary Hammond-Tooke believes such treatment is safe during pregnancy when provided by an experienced chiropractor. “Massage and exercise may help mild symptoms, but chiropractic care is often more effective when a misaligned vertebra is compressing the sciatic nerve.”
Professional Qualifications Are Essential
Experts generally advise pregnant women seeking chiropractic care to choose a licensed practitioner with specialized prenatal experience and avoid high-intensity, assembly-line treatment. The International Chiropractors Association (ICA) Council on Chiropractic Pediatrics now offers prenatal training to help standardize practice.
According to the Foundation for Chiropractic Education and Research, an initial visit costs about $65–$90, with follow-up treatments costing about $45–$50 each. Public or private insurance may provide partial coverage in some areas.
Despite limited scientific evidence and medical disagreement, chiropractic care is attracting more pregnant women because it is drug-free and noninvasive. Determining how to use it safely remains an area for further maternity-care research.
Guide | Chiropractic Care During Pregnancy: Pain Relief or Cause for Concern?
Guide | Chiropractic Care During Pregnancy: Pain Relief or Cause for Concern?
Lower back pain, pelvic pain, and sciatica are common during pregnancy. In recent years, chiropractic care, considered a form of alternative medicine, has become increasingly popular among pregnant women for its reported pain relief, despite ongoing controversy.
Shawn Kelley of Minnesota had a preterm birth during her first pregnancy and was placed on bed rest in her second after contractions began at 22 weeks. After trying chiropractic care, she said her contractions eased considerably, the fetus moved higher, her back pain improved, and she resumed daily activities. “For an hour or two after every adjustment, the pain and pressure were reduced,” she said.
Growing Popularity During Pregnancy
Chiropractic care is one of the most popular alternative therapies in the United States, after relaxation therapy, herbal medicine, and massage. According to the American Chiropractic Association, about 22 million Americans received chiropractic care last year. Although no specific figures are available for pregnant women, midwives and some doctors commonly recommend it for musculoskeletal pain during pregnancy.
Chiropractors generally use gentle manual techniques to adjust the spine, joints, and muscles. For pregnant patients, they use special cushions or tables designed to avoid pressure on the abdomen. Hormone-related ligament laxity allows gentler adjustments. Some chiropractors also claim that certain positions can help turn a breech fetus.
Relief for Common Pregnancy Discomforts
New York chiropractor Sheilagh Weymouth says she often treats headaches, lower back pain, pubic pain, and rib misalignment. Rapid weight gain, a shifting center of gravity, and hormonal effects can contribute to joint misalignment, and chiropractic treatment may relieve these problems. Some women attend regular sessions to maintain balance and reduce discomfort.
Julia Murphy is one example. At age 39, she carried a 10-pound baby and experienced almost no morning sickness, swelling, or sciatica. She credits regular chiropractic care for part of that experience.
Reported Benefits and Ongoing Debate
Some clinical experience and chiropractic research reports suggest that treatment may reduce labor pain or help turn a breech fetus. Chiropractor Carol Phillips claims a 90% success rate with her method.
Conventional medicine remains cautious. Ronald Chez, professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of South Florida, says high-quality evidence of effectiveness in pregnant women is lacking. James Dillard, MD, is also concerned that because pregnancy hormones already loosen ligaments, improper techniques may worsen pain.
Midwife Mary Hammond-Tooke believes such treatment is safe during pregnancy when provided by an experienced chiropractor. “Massage and exercise may help mild symptoms, but chiropractic care is often more effective when a misaligned vertebra is compressing the sciatic nerve.”
Professional Qualifications Are Essential
Experts generally advise pregnant women seeking chiropractic care to choose a licensed practitioner with specialized prenatal experience and avoid high-intensity, assembly-line treatment. The International Chiropractors Association (ICA) Council on Chiropractic Pediatrics now offers prenatal training to help standardize practice.
According to the Foundation for Chiropractic Education and Research, an initial visit costs about $65–$90, with follow-up treatments costing about $45–$50 each. Public or private insurance may provide partial coverage in some areas.
Despite limited scientific evidence and medical disagreement, chiropractic care is attracting more pregnant women because it is drug-free and noninvasive. Determining how to use it safely remains an area for further maternity-care research.
Story source:
Collected online