No matter how happy you are about being pregnant, the physical changes that come with pregnancy can stress your body. Prenatal chiropractic care is a safe and effective remedy for backaches, joint pain, and other symptoms during pregnancy.
Pamela V. Ford, DC, is our pregnancy care specialist at Serenity Chiropractic & Family Wellness Center in Carrollton, Texas. Dr. Ford is skilled in chiropractic care and physical therapy. She also has significant expertise in providing chiropractic services during pregnancy.
Dr. Ford shares advice about how frequently you should see a chiropractor when you’re pregnant and what to expect during your visits.
Chiropractors are trained to evaluate and treat musculoskeletal issues, including those that can arise during pregnancy. As the baby grows and your body changes, your spine and pelvis can become misaligned, causing pain, discomfort, and nerve interference.
Chiropractic adjustments can help restore proper alignment, relieve pain, and improve overall function.
Dr. Ford asks that you always check with your obstetrician first. Still, the benefits of chiropractic prenatal care include relief from backaches and joint pain that are common during pregnancy, including leg pain caused by sciatic nerve irritation. For many women, it also helps relieve nausea during pregnancy.
If that’s not enough, regular chiropractic care while you’re pregnant can also maintain healthy pelvic and spinal alignment. This provides your baby with room to grow and move into a head-down delivery position when the time is right. Many women experience easier labor and delivery thanks to a properly aligned pelvis and spine.
Traditional chiropractic care involves manipulating the spine to improve overall health and well-being, focusing on the nervous system and its connection to the spine.
Chiropractors use manual adjustments to realign the spine and improve its function. This can help alleviate pain, improve flexibility, and increase range of motion. However, Dr. Ford explains that there are critical differences between prenatal chiropractic care and traditional chiropractic services.
She often works on the hips, pelvis, and other joints affected by the weight and pressure of a growing baby. This improves your overall comfort, naturally decreasing emotional stress and reducing the risk of complications during labor and delivery.
Dr. Ford designs your treatment plan to meet your needs and preferences. For example, you may benefit from only a few visits throughout your pregnancy, or you may require more frequent care for optimal results.
In general, we recommend starting with weekly to bi-weekly visits during the first trimester. Your body is undergoing significant changes during this time, and regular adjustments can help prevent issues from becoming more severe as your pregnancy progresses.
During the second trimester, many women continue weekly visits while others may reduce their frequency to every other week. However, as you enter the third trimester, Dr. Ford may recommend more frequent visits again.
Your baby grows rapidly during the third trimester, and the additional weight can cause extra stress on the body. Weekly or bi-weekly adjustments can help keep the body in proper alignment and reduce discomfort.
In addition to regular chiropractic care, Dr. Ford recommends supporting a healthy pregnancy by staying active, eating a balanced diet, getting enough rest, and following your OB/GYN’s care instructions carefully.
Otherwise, it’s essential to remember that every pregnancy is different, and Dr. Ford tailors your care plan to your unique needs and specific concerns.
Schedule an evaluation with Dr. Ford at Serenity Chiropractic & Family Wellness Center today to learn more about prenatal chiropractic care and other services we offer. Call our office in Carrollton, Texas, or request an appointment online.
