Chiropractic in pregnancy?

Expectant moms have options to ease aches, pains.

(Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Okla.) – Expectant moms have much to look forward to during their nine months of pregnancy. But excitement can quickly dim as weight gain and body changes cause aches, discomfort and even severe pain, according to Dr. Ray Allen Schmeder, an Oklahoma State Chiropractic Independent Physicians Association (OSCIPA) member practicing in Tulsa.

“Chiropractic care can greatly do much to help women all throughout their pregnancies,” said Dr. Schmeder. “As hormonal changes cause soft tissues muscles and ligaments to relax, the pregnant woman’s body is much more likely to become misaligned. Weight gain also causes a woman’s center of gravity to move off of center, leading to pain in the low back, hip, upper back and other areas.”

Dr. Schmeder says many of the pregnant women he sees were his patients prior to the pregnancy, but he also sees new patients for the first time, as pregnancies problems with pregnancy arise.

The American Chiropractic Association recommends chiropractic care before pregnancy to detect imbalances in the pelvis or elsewhere that could cause problems in pregnancy and childbirth. During the pregnancy, the ACA recommends chiropractic care to prevent and treat discomfort, without using medications. Post-pregnancy care also can help restore the body to proper alignment as the soft tissues begin to retighten.

Dr. Jo Lieta Bright, OSCIPA member physician in Pryor, was pregnant during her second year of chiropractic school and knows the benefits first-hand. “I had an adjustment just before leaving for the delivery,” she says.

“Chiropractic care is safe up through the day of the birth for both mother and child,” said Dr. Jo Lieta Bright, OSCIPA member physician in Pryor. “A healthy baby depends on good blood flow, adequate oxygen and good nutrition during pregnancy. Through gentle chiropractic techniques, there are no contraindications to chiropractic care – only positive benefits for the baby and the mother.

“Chiropractic is much safer than taking medication for pain,” says Dr. Bright. “It’s non-invasive and non-medicinal.” Dr. Bright frequently works cooperatively with the women’s obstetricians or family physicians. [KAF2]“More and more medical doctors are coming to understand what chiropractic has to offer their patients.”

Exercises to try:

Oklahoma City Dr. J. Tyler Pertree, also an OSCIPA member, recommends these exercises to help strengthen muscles during pregnancy and alleviate pain:

- Mini Sit-ups – Abdominal muscles support the back muscles and need to be kept strong. Mini sit-ups, on the back with knees bent, can help. Always keep eyes on the ceiling and gently raise shoulders off of the floor, then return to starting position.

- Back Stretches – stretch the lower back by gently and slowly moving backward and forward at the waist.

- Rocking Pelvis – also known as cat arches or cat stretches, this exercise begins with the woman on hands and knees. The back is gently arched toward the ceiling, in a cat-like manner, and the brought back to the original position.

“Women should stay active unless their doctor advises against it,” Dr. Pertree says. “Keep muscles active through exercise such as walking, stay well-hydrated and eat sensibly throughout the pregnancy.”

Help for working moms

For women who work outside the home during pregnancy, Dr. Pertree recommends walking around once an hour for 2-3 minutes, as work allows. Women with jobs that require long periods of sitting should also ensure that their desk is at the proper height and that they have additional lumbar back support in their chair, as needed.”

Women who must stand 4-5 hours at a time at work may benefit from using a lumbar support belt, Dr. Pertree says, but he cautions that the belts should only be used when needed, as they can actually cause muscles to weaken if worn continuously.

To locate an OSCIPA member chiropractor, go to www.oscipa.com. Founded in 1994, the Oklahoma State Chiropractic Independent Physicians Association is the largest non-profit professional Oklahoma chiropractic organization. OSCIPA promotes research and public and professional education about the benefits of chiropractic medicine.