Chiropractic care during pregnancy can improve spinal alignment, reduce stress, and relieve achy back pain. It’s also an effective tool for managing the sometimes debilitating symptoms related to pregnancy-induced sciatica.
Pamela V. Ford, DC, and our staff at Serenity Chiropractic & Family Wellness Center in Carrollton, Texas, offer a full range of chiropractic services focused on reducing pain, restoring mobility, and improving the overall quality of life.
Dr. Ford loves to help expectant moms by providing chiropractic care during pregnancy. Here’s what we’d love you to know about pregnancy-induced sciatica, why it occurs, and how chiropractic adjustments can help.
The sciatic nerve is the largest in the human body, traveling from the lower back through the buttocks, hips, and legs. Compression, irritation, and inflammation can cause pain (sciatica) at any point along the nerve pathway.
During pregnancy, especially in the third trimester, women are more vulnerable to developing sciatica due to:
Weight gain during pregnancy increases pressure on the spine and pelvic region, sometimes compressing or irritating the sciatic nerve.
Relaxin is a naturally produced hormone that performs several functions during pregnancy, from conception to birth.
For instance, relaxin helps prepare the uterine lining for an embryo and allows the uterus to stretch enough to accommodate the baby during pregnancy. It also helps loosen pelvic ligaments and muscles in preparation for birth.
While necessary for a healthy pregnancy and delivery, the body’s response to increased relaxin can destabilize the spine and irritate the sciatic nerve.
Your center of gravity naturally shifts forward as your baby grows, especially during the third trimester. This creates poor posture and muscle imbalances that can shift spinal alignment and inflame the sciatic nerve.
Dr. Ford is trained in chiropractic care during pregnancy, which is considered safe for pregnant women when performed by a qualified professional. She uses gentle techniques and specialized equipment to ensure safety and comfort.
Your personalized care plan may include:
Spinal misalignment is common during pregnancy. Gentle chiropractic adjustments help realign the spine, reducing pressure on the sciatic nerve.
Dr. Ford uses specialized techniques to help balance the pelvis during pregnancy. This reduces pressure on the sciatic nerve and helps promote optimal fetal positioning for development and growth.
Massage and other soft tissue therapies help relieve back pain and reduce muscle tightness that may contribute to sciatic nerve pain.
Pelvic tilts, hip stretches, and other gentle stretches and strengthening exercises can reduce sciatic pain and help maintain spinal health throughout pregnancy.
Dr. Ford offers guidance on proper posture and body mechanics to minimize spine and sciatic nerve strain. Simple sitting, standing, and sleeping adjustments can make a significant difference.
In addition to relieving sciatica, chiropractic care offers numerous other benefits for pregnant women, which may include:
Schedule a visit with Dr. Ford at Serenity Chiropractic & Family Wellness Center today for a safe, effective, and drug-free solution to managing pregnancy-induced sciatica. Call our office or book an appointment online.
