Pregnancy Comfort

The Gonstead practitioner’s focus of chiropractic care for the pregnant mother is unique and very specific when compared to the care given to the non-pregnant patient. Since the body changes quickly during pregnancy, preexisting and unnoticed imbalances in your pelvis and spine may become stressed. Pelvic alignment and nervous system balance are very important in creating a comfortable pregnancy and a safe delivery.

Proper alignment of your pelvis and spine is a vital ingredient to a healthy, comfortable, and easier birth. Our office works with many women prior to and during pregnancy to establish that their spines and nervous systems are functioning at their best and that these women feel normal throughout the gestation period. Your Gonstead chiropractor is ready to work with your other pregnancy healthcare providers to ensure your pregnancy is as easy as possible.

Many pregnant mothers seek chiropractic care for pregnancy comfort, an easier birth, and postpartum recovery. They will appreciate the Gonstead chiropractor’s attention to detail, gentle adjustments, and respect for the body’s changes during pregnancy. Those changes include ligament elasticity, weight-bearing instability, muscle stress, and spinal joint misalignments.

ALIGNMENT

The pelvis is a three-joint complex involving the sacroiliac joints (SI) and the pubic symphysis. Pubic symphysis joint integrity is partly dependent on the strength of the two SI joints. Pelvic alignment may also influence the position of the uterus. Imagine the uterus as a parachute. A parachute has strings as the uterus has ligaments, which anchor into the pelvis. Symmetrical tension of the ligaments is important for normal uterus position and will minimize in-utero constraint. In-utero constraint occurs when trauma or repetitive asymmetrical loading of the pelvis causes misalignment. If the pelvis is misaligned, the strings of the “parachute” are altered as some ligaments tighten and others loosen, which increases in-utero constraint and possibly alters fetal positioning. The Gonstead chiropractor is trained in the analysis of proper pelvic alignment and motion by analyzing SI joint function.

NERVOUS SYSTEM

Because your nerves control every cell, organ, and tissue in your rapidly changing body, the nervous system plays a vital role in pregnancy comfort and the delivery process. The Gonstead chiropractor is likely to focus on the craniosacral or parasympathetic portion of your nervous system. Focusing on the parasympathetic or “rest and repair” system allows maximum relaxation of the patient’s body and mind, thus decreasing stress. Balancing the parasympathetic nervous stem may enhance sleep and digestion as well. Assessing the alignment of your pelvis and/or neck is essential in determining parasympathetic nerve function in these areas.

MORE COMFORT

Commonly, pregnant women experience back discomfort/pain during pregnancy. The number one complaint is low-back pain due to hormones that create ligament laxity and pelvic instability. As the baby grows in size, the increased load on the mother’s feet, hips, and pelvis create stress on nearby ligaments, muscles, and nerves. Specific chiropractic care during pregnancy may optimize your nervous system for the health of your body, as well as your baby’s body, during this special time. Additionally, an aligned pelvis helps create space for the uterus and maximizes baby position prior to delivery. In fact, published studies have indicated that spinal and pelvic adjustments may even reduce labor time. The following are additional symptoms that have been helped by chiropractic:

• Back + Neck Pain

• Headaches + Migraines

• Groin Pain

• Fatigue

• Trouble Sleeping

• Sciatica + Leg Pain

• Hip Pain

• Stress

Dr. Bobby Fano, DC is among only a handful of chiropractors in Northern California certified in the Webster Technique by the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association.

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