Pregnancy
Some genuinely amazing changes happen to the body during pregnancy to accommodate the growing baby inside. The uterus grows 500x its original size from 2oz to 2 pounds. The body's ligaments become looser with the release of the hormone relaxin. Relaxin allows for the pelvis to widen for childbirth. Not only do these changes occur, but an entirely new organ grows as well; the placenta. At no other time in a woman's life is her body changing so rapidly. These changes and increased weight gain can impact how a pregnant woman feels. Pregnancy changes the overall centre of gravity, weakens your core musculature and increases strain on joints resulting in low back and pelvic dysfunction. As a result, some women may experience low back pain, sciatic nerve pain, groin pain (pubic symphysis dysfunction), upper back pain and neck pain while pregnant. |
During pregnancy, chiropractic care addresses any dysfunction in the ligaments and muscles around the pelvis and improves sacral function. Treatment is gentle and safe. A combination of muscle work, spinal mobilization and exercises can help reduce pain and improve pelvic dysfunction. Our chiropractors are both Webster certified, which is a treatment technique used throughout pregnancy.
Our registered massage therapists are also here to help. Let our massage therapists help take away the aches and pains of pregnancy. Are you worried about laying on your stomach? We have special pregnancy pillows that give your growing belly space so you can lay on your stomach.
Our registered massage therapists are also here to help. Let our massage therapists help take away the aches and pains of pregnancy. Are you worried about laying on your stomach? We have special pregnancy pillows that give your growing belly space so you can lay on your stomach.
Postpartum
After your baby is born, you go through a healing process. This healing process is different for each mother, depending on your labour. Did you have a natural birth? Did you have a lot of perineal tearing? Were forceps used? Did you have an episiotomy? Did you have a c-section? All of these variables affect how you heal after giving birth. Our chiropractors are trained to assess postpartum women in a comprehensive, whole-body approach. They will consider any pelvic floor dysfunctions such as urinary incontinence (peeing when you sneeze, cough or run). They will assess you for diastasis recti (abdominal separation) and address any other musculoskeletal dysfunctions that might be causing low back pain. We want women to know that just because the above symptoms are common postpartum, it does not mean that they are normal and cannot be resolved. Two of our chiropractors are Grow Co. professionals. As Grow Co. professionals, they have specialized skills for training postpartum individuals. They can see you as early as two weeks after birth. Goals for our postpartum patients involve decreasing pain (if that is an issue), increasing strength and designing a return to an exercise plan appropriate to your stage of healing. Treatment focuses on re-establishing the mind-body connection of your pelvic floor, abdomen, and diaphragm through rehabilitative exercises and chiropractic treatment. If you had your child five or twenty years ago, postpartum chiropractic care and rehabilitation might be for you. |