At Spand-Ice, our goal is to help women get the back pain relief they deserve during their motherhood journey. That is why we frequently work with industry professionals in order to find new, innovative pain relief options. We recently partnered with Dr. Brent Wells to discuss the safety and benefits of chiropractic care during pregnancy. Dr. Wells offers patient-centered, personalized, and innovative chiropractic care in Wasilla, Anchorage and surrounding communities. He gave us his professional opinion on how chiropractic care can be used to relieve pregnant back pain.
For many pregnant women, back pain is the biggest struggle as pregnancy bumps put a strain on the low back. Chiropractic care is a safe option for pregnant women and it provides several benefits along with reducing pain. Along with the pregnancy relief band, many pregnant women are finding relief so that they can stay pain free and keep moving throughout their pregnancy.
Women suffering from pregnancy-related back pain
According to a study published in the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, many women turn to chiropractic care to make pregnancy more comfortable. According to the study, “50% of all pregnant women experience back pain during their pregnancy and 50% to 75% of women experience back pain during labor.” But most chiropractors do not work with pregnant women. Chiropractors report that pregnant women benefit greatly from chiropractic care.
In fact, women experiencing back pain during pregnancy turn to chiropractic care and massage therapy and yoga for relief. About 30% of pregnant women of women seeking some sort of alternative therapies for their pain turn to chiropractic care. Women who seek chiropractic care are looking for relief from the ways their bodies change during pregnancy. The problems include:
- Spinal dysfunction
- Traction or pressure in the pelvic structures
- Muscle spasm in the pelvic structures
- Sacroiliac joint pain
- Lumbar spine pain
- Lumbar lordosis
- Pelvic hypermobility
What Industry Professionals are Saying about Chiropractic Care
Health-care providers recommending chiropractic care
in a study about chiropractic care and pregnancy, the number of women who experienced back pain was reported at 90%. This study was published in the Journal of Evidence-Based Integrative Medicine. In it, Canadian obstetricians were questioned about their attitudes regarding chiropractic care. Of the 91 obstetricians questioned, 77% believed that chiropractic care helped with musculoskeletal problems.
The same questions about chiropractic care were asked of Connecticut nurses, midwives, and obstetricians, too. Of the group, nearly all nurse-midwives recommended alternative therapies. This included chiropractic care and massage therapy for low back pain during pregnancy.
Nurse-midwives recommending chiropractic care
Nurse-midwives recommending chiropractic care is commonplace in many studies about pregnancy and chiropractic care. Even though it is a new modality to treat pain due to pregnancy, nurse-midwives have recognized the benefits in relieving pain and easing labor. A study published in Women’s Health shared the science behind chiropractic care and pain relief during pregnancy.
Midwives have found the benefits and tend to recommend chiropractic care to their patients. They see the benefits and they see that there are not any harmful reactions when it is used during pregnancy and delivery. It is important that midwives are properly trained to share the benefits of chiropractic care with their patients so they can find relief from back pain, morning sickness, and improper positioning.
Are there red flags for chiropractic care?
Chiropractic care has been proven to be safe for pregnant women. It is important for chiropractors to practice safety with their pregnant patients. In the literature reviews, pregnant women found chiropractic care brought relief after two visits. Manual adjustments are safe for pregnant women, but there are some contraindications that can be read flags. These include vaginal bleeding, premature labor, placenta previa, and other problematic conditions that are not musculoskeletal in pathology. Chiropractors should also be sure to avoid using electrical modalities like electric stimulation.
Dr. Brent Wells, D.C. has been a chiropractor for over 20 years and has treated thousands of patients. He founded Better Health Chiropractic & Physical Rehab in Alaska in 1998 and is a member of the American Chiropractic Association and the American Academy of Spine Physicians. Dr. Wells is also the author of over 700 online health articles that have been featured on sites such as Dr. Axe and Lifehack. He continues his education to remain active and updated in all studies related to neurology, physical rehab, biomechanics, spine conditions, brain injury trauma, and more.