Pregnancy

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PREGNANCY AND CHIROPRACTIC 

WHAT IS CHIROPRACTIC CARE?
Chiropractic is a natural method of health care that treats the causes of physical problems rather than just the symptoms.

Chiropractic is based on a simple but powerful premise:
With a healthy lifestyle and normally functioning spine, joints, and nerves, your body is better able to heal itself.

This is because the spinal cord, which is protected by the spine, is the main pathway of your nervous system. It controls movement, feeling and function throughout your body.

Dr. Carol Wintermute has over 10 years of postgraduate education and professional training in the sciences and health care, including prenatal care, leading to her Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) degree and over 25 years of experience, including the birth of her own three daughters. She will work to maintain your health and guide you in a personalized approach to wellness during and after your pregnancy.

What Causes Back and Leg Pain
During Pregnancy?

During pregnancy, the increasing weight and size of the baby put stress on the spine's three natural curves. As a result, changes in posture occur that can cause pain in your back or legs.

INCREASED STRESS ON YOUR SPINE
As your baby grows, you carry more and more weight in front of you. This stretches your abdominal muscles. When you stand, the baby pulls down on the thoracic curve (middle back) and forward on the lumbar curve (lower back). The larger the baby grows, the more exaggerated these curves become.

This puts pressure on the joints in the spine. It may also put pressure on the nerves, causing pain. The sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower spine down the legs, can also become irritated, causing pain in your legs. At the same time, joints in the pelvis loosen. This helps prepare you for delivery, but it can also irritate nerves in the spine.

HOW CAN CHIROPRACTIC CARE HELP?
Chiropractic care is a natural way to treat back pain during and after pregnancy. Dr. Wintermute is specially trained to determine the best treatment for your own needs.

HISTORY AND PHYSICAL EXAM
You and Dr. Wintermute will discuss your symptoms, if any, and your lifestyle. Gentle physical, orthopedic (bone and muscle), and neurological (nerve) tests help reveal the condition of your spine. Gentle pressing on on the spine helps check for tenderness, pain, swelling and restricted range of motion. These tests are safe for the baby and the pregnant mother.

SPINAL ADJUSTMENTS
Special chiropractic methods, called adjustments, can help relieve your back and leg pain. Adjustments cause no harm to the baby and are safe up until delivery. During an adjustment, Dr. Wintermute gently presses on joints in the spine. This relieves pressure on nerves and restores motion and alignment.

Adjustments can reduce pressure on nerves, help restore alignment, improve mobility, and relieve pain and stiffness.

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RELATED TREATMENT
Dr. Wintermute may suggest other types of treatment to improve your posture and relieve your back or leg pain. These may include ice or heat, massage, or gentle stretching exercises. She can discuss these with you.
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What Can I Do to Ease Back and Leg Pain?

Along with spinal adjustments, maintaining good posture, moving safely, exercising regularly and eating right can help reduce stress on your spine and relieve pain.

PRACTICE GOOD POSTURE

Good posture reduces stress on the joints, nerves and muscles in your back. Keep your head and shoulders centered over your hips. 

When you sit, keep your knees level with your hips. 

To lift, bend at the hips and knees, not the waist - then lift with your legs.

To reach, turn your whole body, not just your head and neck.

Sleep on your side with your knees slightly bent. This relieves pressure on your spine. Put a pillow between your legs, beneath your abdomen and under your neck - but not under your shoulder.

DO EXERCISES FOR YOUR BACK

Gentle exercises can help reduce back pain by increasing the flexibility of your spine. Dr. Wintermute can help you design an exercise program for your needs. Be sure to do each exercise exactly as directed by her.

Sitting Twist

• Lace your fingers together and point your elbows outward.

• Slowly rotate your upper body to one side. Move your head and arms with your torso.

• Slowly come back to the front. Then rotate to the other side.

• Repeat 10 times on each side or as directed.

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  Why Are Regular Spinal Checkups Important?

Even if you don't have back pain, having regular spinal checkups is one of the best ways to help prevent back pain during and after pregnancy. Giving birth is stressful on the spine. The extra bending and lifting you do as you care for your baby puts added stress on the spine too.

Dr. Wintermute can help you and your family
manage or prevent spinal problems 
and maintain healthier lives.

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