Pregnancy is an incredible journey and you are amazing! However it often comes with physical challenges such as lower back pain, pelvic discomfort, and postural changes. At Prime Health Co, we provide chiropractic care for pregnancy focused on helping you move comfortably, stay active, and prepare your body for birth and postpartum.
Pregnancy-related lower back and pelvic girdle pain (PGP)
Up to 90% of women experience pregnancy-related lower back and pelvic girdle pain (PGP) at some stage during pregnancy. White these symptoms often improve after giving birth, for some women the pain can persist – about 14% of women still experience ongoing pain one year postpartum.
Pregnancy-related lower back and pelvic girdle pain can make everyday life more challenging. Around 80% of women feel their daily activities are affected such as standing, walking, and completing household and work-related tasks. Up to 10% of women are unable to continue working due to pain. Symptoms can also impact emotional well-being.
Women feel unsupported and report lack of treatment options offered by healthcare professionals. This may be due to the common belief that pregnancy-related lower back and pelvic girdle pain is a “normal” part of pregnancy. White common, these symptoms should not be ignored – there are treatment options available which may improve comfort and reduce the risk of ongoing or chronic pain postpartum.
Causes of pain during pregnancy
Causes are unclear and complex but may relate to:
- Postural changes
- Hormonal changes
- Increased blood volume
- Increased weight of the breasts
- Ventral growth of baby
- Pelvic floor involvement
The change in centre of gravity may mean women need to lean backwards to maintain balance. The resultant postural changes may include anterior pelvic tilt, increased/decreased lumbar lordosis, increased/decreased thoracic kyphosis and forward head posture.
Pregnancy chiropractic care is a whole body approach
Chiropractic care during pregnancy may help with:
- Lower back pain
- Pelvic girdle pain
- Hip pain
- Pubic symphysis pain
- Sciatica
- Neck pain
- Pain between the shoulder blades
- Headaches
- Rib and diaphragm discomfort
- Round ligament pain
- TMJ
- Carpal tunnel
- Foot and plantar fascia pain
What to expect at your chiropractic appointment
Your chiropractor will take a history and perform a physical exam before proceeding with treatment. If chiropractic treatment isn’t the right option for you, you will be referred to the appropriate medical practitioner.
Chiropractic treatments during pregnancy may include joint mobilisation techniques and soft tissue therapies performed in comfortable positions using pregnancy pillows.
Joint mobilisation techniques may vary between low-force mobilisations, blocks, drop-piece adjusting and gentle manual techniques. Your chiropractor will always take your comfort level and treatment preferences into account when formulating a treatment plan.
Webster technique may be considered as part of your natural birth preparation as it supports the natural neuro-biomechanical function of the body. It is a gentle, non-invasive approach to balancing the pelvic bones, muscles and uterine ligaments. Webster technique involves improving movement in the sacroiliac and pubic symphysis joints and releasing tightness in the hip flexor and piriformis muscles and the sacrotuberous and round ligaments. There are other ligamentous attachments from the uterus to the sacrum and pubic symphysis which may be indirectly influenced by improving mobility in these joints. Webster technique aims to reduce uterine constraint to allow baby to move freely and promotes optimal pregnancy and birth experiences for women.
Your chiropractor can also help with:
- Exercise advice
- Self-management tips
- Nutritional and supplement advice
- Support devices like sacroiliac belts
