Pregnancy and Chiropractic This section was compiled by Frank M. Painter, D.C.
Send all comments or additions to: Frankp@chiro.org
Jump to: Chiropractic Research Results Other Management Approaches
Alternative Medicine Approaches Forward Head Posture
Chiro.Org is proud to support Logan College and the ICPA for their continuous research into the health benefits of chiropractic care. Please offer them your financial support.
Chiropractic Research Results for Pregnancy
The Treatment Experience of Patients With Low Back Pain During Pregnancy
Chiropractic & Manual Therapies 2012 (Oct 9) ~ FULL TEXT
Chiropractors approach pregnant patients with low back pain from a patient-centered standpoint, and the pregnant patients interviewed in this study who sought chiropractic care appeared to find this approach helpful for managing their back pain symptoms.
J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2010 (Apr); 95 (4): 1749–1757 ~ FULL TEXT
In this study, it was found that although the intake of vitamin D among the mothers met current recommendations, 71 percent of these same women, and 15 percent of their newborns were deficient during pregnancy. These results suggest that efforts should be made to revise current nutrition recommendations for pregnant women since this could have a permanent effect on the well-being of their children.
Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice 2009 (Nov); 15 (4): 192–7
The absence of hormone fluctuations and/or the analgesic effects of increased beta-endorphins are thought to confer improvements in headache symptoms during pregnancy. However, for a number of pregnant patients, they continue to suffer or have worsening headache symptoms. The use of pharmacotherapy for palliative care is a concern for both the mother and the developing fetus and alternative/complementary care options are sought. We present a 24-year-old gravid female with chronic migraine headaches since age 12years. Previous unsuccessful care included osteopathy, physical therapy, massage and medication. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication with codeine provided minor and temporary relief. Chiropractic care involving spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) and adjunctive therapies resulted in symptom improvement and independence from medication. This document provides supporting evidence on the safety and possible effectiveness of chiropractic care for patients with headaches during pregnancy.
A Retrospective Case Series
J Midwifery Womens Health 2006 (Jan); 51 (1): e7-10
Sixteen of 17 (94.1%) cases demonstrated clinically important improvement. The average time to initial clinically important pain relief was 4.5 (range 0-13) days after initial presentation, and the average number of visits undergone up to that point was 1.8 (range 1-5). No adverse effects were reported in any of the 17 cases. The results suggest that chiropractic treatment was safe in these cases and support the hypothesis that it may be effective for reducing pain intensity.
Jeanne Ohm, D.C.
Another important reason for chiropractic care throughout pregnancy is to help establish balance in the mother’s pelvis. Because of a lifetime of stress and trauma to her spine and pelvis, her pelvic opening may be compromised, resulting in a less than optimum passage for the baby. Williams Obstetrics Text tells us that, "Any contraction of the pelvic diameters that diminish the capacity of the pelvis can create dystocia (difficulty) during labor." You can find more articles like this in the Pediatric Section.
Dr. Diane Benizzi DiMarco ~ FULL TEXT
The post partum patient retains a higher risk for potential injury as compared to the patient who has not endured pregnancy or has not been pregnant for an extended period of time. Fertilization propels the release of estrogen, progesterone and relaxin, hormones essential to the growth and development of the embryo and fetus. These hormones that are essential to the pregnancy cause global relaxation to the ligaments and muscles in the female pregnant patient. A conglomerate of anatomical changes created by the global laxity in muscles and ligaments compromises the stability of the spine.
Other Management Approaches
Results From a Large Population-based Cohort Study
Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 2012 (Jun 17) [Epub ahead of print]
Although previous studies have shown the effectiveness of Ginger use on the nausea of pregnancy, this study explored the safety of ginger use during pregnancy. This Norwegian study reports on the outcomes of 68,522 pregnancies. More than one thousand women used ginger to halt morning sickness, but were NO increases in premature births, stillbirths, low birth weights, or low Apgar scores at birth. This study clearly signals that ginger use appears to be perfectly safe for use during pregnancy.
Many health–conscious women who are pregnant or breast–feeding adhere to dietary guidelines set by the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology that recommend limiting fat intake for the health of their babies. However, scientists now recognize that specific long–chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPs) are required for the development of a baby's brain, nerves, heart and eyes. Furthermore, research has revealed that pregnant American women do not get enough LCPs in their diet, even when they are not necessarily trying to limit fat intake. [1]
Often when a woman becomes pregnant, or is trying to get pregnant, she develops a new perspective on her health. For most this means a new or renewed interest in nutrition and healthy food choices. Some women are afraid their diet is insufficient and worry it might affect their baby. Others simply want to do everything in their power to have an easy pregnancy and a normal infant. All are valid concerns. They are also opportunities for you to discuss the reasons to supplement, even for those already eating healthfully.
Return to the CHIROPRACTIC RESEARCH RESULTS Page
Since 2-22-2004
Updated 2-07-2013
| Home Page | Visit Our Sponsors | Become a Sponsor |
Please read our DISCLAIMER |