Chiropractic Care During Pregnancy

Pregnancy places significant physical and hormonal demands on the body. As the baby grows, changes in posture, weight distribution, and ligament flexibility can place added stress on the pelvis and spine.

Chiropractic care during pregnancy is gentle and specifically adapted for the expectant mother. Benefits may include:

• Supporting proper pelvic alignment

• Helping maintain balance and posture as the body changes

• Reducing tension in the lower back, hips, and pelvis

• Creating optimal space for the baby to grow and move

• Supporting comfort throughout pregnancy

• Encouraging smoother, more efficient labor and delivery

A well-aligned pelvis may allow the baby to assume an optimal position for birth, which can contribute to a more comfortable pregnancy and an easier labor process. Special pregnancy-safe tables and techniques are used to ensure comfort and safety for both mother and baby.

Birth as the First Physical Stress on the Body

Birth is a natural process, but it can also place physical stress on an infant’s body. During labor and delivery, an infant’s head, neck, and spine are subjected to significant forces as they pass through the birth canal.

Even in uncomplicated deliveries, the baby’s spine experiences:

• Prolonged pressure during contractions

• Twisting and compression as the baby rotates through the pelvis

• Traction and pulling forces, especially during longer labors

Assisted deliveries, such as those involving forceps, vacuum extraction, or cesarean section, may introduce additional mechanical stress to the infant’s spine and nervous system.

Because an infant’s spine is soft and highly adaptable, these stresses do not usually result in obvious injury, but they can lead to subtle areas of tension or restriction that may affect comfort and movement.

Gentle Chiropractic Care for Infants

Infant chiropractic care is extremely gentle and vastly different from adult adjustments. It involves light fingertip pressure — often compared to the pressure used to test the ripeness of a tomato — and is specifically tailored to an infant’s developing spine and nervous system.

Potential benefits of infant chiropractic care include:

• Supporting healthy spinal and nervous system development

• Reducing areas of tension or restriction caused by birth stress

• Promoting comfort and relaxation

• Supporting proper movement and posture as the baby grows

• Encouraging balanced development of the musculoskeletal system

Chiropractic care for infants does not involve forceful twisting, cracking, or aggressive movements. The goal is to support the body’s natural ability to adapt and develop.

A Nervous System–Centered Approach

The nervous system controls breathing, digestion, movement, sleep, and immune function. By supporting proper spinal alignment and mobility, chiropractic care aims to optimize nervous system communication at every stage of life.

When the spine moves well and the nervous system functions without interference, the body is better equipped to adapt to physical, chemical, and emotional stressors.

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