Chiropractic

Pregnancy

Chiropractic should be a part of every pregnant woman’s health care. 

As a mother, I understand the demands pregnancy places on your body. The physiological and biomechanical changes your body experiences throughout pregnancy are incredible! While symptoms like back pain, rib pain, heartburn, instability are common, that does not make them normal. You can experience pregnancy feeling comfortable and healthy. I am here to help navigate you through this journey.

While pregnant, every woman should be under chiropractic care. At no time in your life are pelvic balance, proper joint motion, and optimal nervous system function more important! Prenatal chiropractic care also provides a safe, effective and drug-free approach to relieving pain during pregnancy, by decreasing pressure on the joints, muscles, and nerves of the spine and pelvis.

Chiropractic care during pregnancy includes gentle spine and pelvic adjustments, muscle work and ligament releases. Patients are also given simple tools to help maintain proper pelvic posture. When working with pregnant women, focus is given to the pelvis with the intention of restoring proper joint biomechanics, eliminate nerve interference and normalize muscle tone and function to create a more enjoyable pregnancy and birth process. 

For more information regarding chiropractic care during pregnancy visit the ICPA website.

Pelvic and Low Back Pain

A woman’s center of gravity shifts forward soon after she becomes pregnant. This adds stress and strain to the ligaments of her pelvis and low back. As the baby continues to grow in size, the shift in gravity continues and her low back begins to arch adding to more stress and strain. This causes the rest of the spine to compensate and we begin to see dysfunction in her upper back as she begins to hunch forward and she loses the normal curve her neck is designed to have. Add on the extra 30 or so pounds that pregnancy requires and stress begins to be felt throughout the entire body especially feet, ankles and knees.

Chiropractic can help! Many studies show that pain can be reduced by manual therapies during pregnancy. In a study of 170 Canadian women those who received chiropractic care while pregnant, less pain was experienced both during pregnancy and labour.

Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (SPD)

Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction, also know as Pelvic Girdle Pain (PGP) or Pubic Symphysis Pain (PSP), during pregnancy is a condition caused by excessive stress being placed on the pubic symphysis joint. It can affect pregnant women to varying degrees.

Any activity that involves lifting one leg at a time or parting the legs tends to be particularly painful. Lifting the leg to put on clothes, getting out of a car, bending over, sitting down or getting up, walking up stairs, standing on one leg, lifting heavy objects, and walking in general tend to be difficult at times. Many women report that moving or turning over in bed is especially difficult.

Chiropractic can help! Your pelvis is made up of 3 joints. These 3 joints need to work together. Many times in pregnancy your sacroiliac (SI) joints become restricted and don’t move as well as they should. This places extra stress and strain on your pubic symphysis joint, this overloads it and results in pain and dysfunction.

Here are some suggestions to do at home to help with the discomfort;

• Use a pillow between your legs when sleeping; body pillows are a great investment! If you are already doing this and still experiencing pain, add another pillow.
• While side sleeping, put a pillow, or a wedge under your tummy.
• Keep your legs and hips as parallel/symmetrical as possible when moving or turning in bed.
• Some women find it helpful to have their partners stabilize their hips and hold them ‘together’ when rolling over in bed or adjusting positions.
• Swimming is an activity that reduces stress on your body and has shown to relieve pressure on the pubic symphysis joint.
• When standing, stand symmetrically, with your weight evenly distributed through both legs. No shifting to one side or the other or sticking a hip out.
• Avoid ‘straddle’ movements. Lunges are an exercise to be avoided.
• An ice pack may feel soothing and help reduce inflammation in the pubic area. Note that baby’s move toward warmth and away from cold. It is not recommended to ice the pubic symphysis joint after 36 weeks. However exceptions can be made for extremely painful situations.

Rib Pain

During the last stages of pregnancy, your rib cage is expanding to create more room.

Chiropractic can help! Movement (or lack of movement) in your mid-back determines how much spinal stress is transferred to your ribs and shoulders. By keeping your mid-back supple and moving you will feel less stress in your ribs allowing them to move into these new positions with ease.

In the meantime, you may find some temporary relief with the tips below;

• Posture, posture, posture! Sit up straight, no slouching. Slouching compresses ribs, baby, abdominal contents, everything! Sitting up straight allows everything to have more room and decreases the stress placed on your ribs.
• Make yourself as comfortable as possible by wearing loose fitting clothes. Maybe it’s time for a new bra.
• Support yourself with pillows when lying down. When in doubt add more pillows.
• Avoid sitting down for too long – get up and take regular stretch breaks or short walks.
• Choose exercise that helps you stretch out and supports your body, like prenatal yoga or swimming.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)/Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS)

In line with the reason rib pain is common during the later stages of pregnancy, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) and Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS) are similar conditions in which there is too much stuff in too little of space. During pregnancy blood volume increases, we lose core stability and maintaining proper posture becomes more difficult. This all creates compression which can result in CTS or TOS.

Chiropractic can help! Lack of spinal movement in your mid-back and neck, the dysfunctional forward position of your head stacking on top of your spine and abnormal muscle tension, especially in the front of your neck, adds extra stress to your nervous system. This can result in tingling, shooting, burning, deep achy symptoms felt in your upper extremity.

And many of the tips given to help with rib pain can also help with CTS and TOS.

Headaches

Many times it is a pregnant woman under care for something else who notices a decrease in headaches after being adjusted. The headache where she would normally take a pill but is now reluctant because she is pregnant, disappears with chiropractic care. Starting chiropractic care for headaches is common for everyone and many have experienced an improvement with intensity, frequency and duration of their headaches since beginning care, this includes pregnant moms. Chiropractic can help!

And many of the tips given to help with rib pain, CTS and TOS can also help headaches. Proper posture is so important

Postpartum

Chiropractic takes on an emphasized role while recovering from childbirth.

Congratulations! I get it. I’ve been there. And I can help.

The postpartum period isn’t easy. Our bodies just don’t work the way they used to and after babies our core just isn’t the same. That’s ok! You shouldn’t be the same. You have created and given birth to a child. You will now and forever be postpartum! Let’s experience it in a functional, pain free way.

Postpartum provides a unique opportunity for your body and the dysfunctions it has created, even those prior to pregnancy, to be corrected. Much like a restart button on your computer, childbirth offers you the opportunity to reset the way your body moves, to create a new foundation (core) and correct faulty movement patterns. 

During pregnancy you experience so many changes to your body. Your core shuts off. Your ab muscles are stretched and at a length where they no longer function optimally. Your hips flexors engage and tighten up, even more than they already were, to act as your stability. Organs and structures are shoved into any and all free space available to make room for the baby. Your diaphragm is jammed up under your rib cage.

During labour and delivery, your pelvic floor experiences a sprain/strain, much like you would when you sprain your ankle.  Of note, even if you have had a C-section the stress and strain your pelvic floor has experienced throughout pregnancy can lead to pelvic floor issues postpartum. There is a sudden change of gravity and the fake stability you have gotten used to from the tight skin of your belly is no longer there. You are completely unstable!  

Postpartum is a physiologically challenging time. Unlike pregnancy, when the body changes gradually over 9 months, the postpartum period is a time of rapid change. Even the most straight forward vaginal births can be tough on both mom and babe. This can all lead to conditions commonly diagnosed in the postpartum period such as; 

• Pelvic and low back pain
• Sciatica
• Piriformis syndrome
• Pelvic floor dysfunction (incontinence, prolapsed and/or pain)
• Pubic symphysis dysfunction
• Diastasis recti (ab separation)
• Headaches
• Rib pain
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Thoracic outlet syndrome
• Tennis elbow
• Plantar fasciitis
• Knee pain… and this is to simply name a few. 

Whatever the diagnosis it all comes back to your core and challenges your body has experienced during pregnancy, childbirth and now postpartum.

It doesn’t take much convincing that after delivering a baby your body could use some love. Your body is considered postpartum from a biomechanical perspective for 1 full year.  Recently there have even been functional movement experts that have pushed the postpartum phase to 2 years based on the amount of time required to restore proper core function. Whether your child is 2 weeks or 20 years old, once postpartum, always postpartum. We are here to help you create a functional core, regain stability and energy and thrive in motherhood. The sooner you can start the better. We recommend you receive a postpartum chiropractic assessment as early at 2 weeks postpartum.

Remember, be kind and gentle to yourself. Your body has just experienced more changes than you can imagine. How you recover is unique to you and unique to this pregnancy.

Chiropractic adjustments are simple, yet powerful. Dr. Lindsay performs each adjustment in a way that is unique to you, your condition and your comfort level.  The techniques used range from low force (without a sound being produced), instrument/table assisted and a gentle manual style.  

Postpartum Core Dysfunction:

Our core takes on a whole new meaning during pregnancy! But what about after the baby is born? Do the changes change back? Not without a little help and understanding.
Core dysfunctions can show up as everything! Here are some of the most common dysfunctions.

Symptoms;

• Extra padding around your midsection that just won’t go away
• Tightness and/or tingling in your arms and legs
• Pain in your pelvis, low back, hips, knees and feet
• Pain in your neck, mid back, shoulders, elbows, wrists and hands
• Limited movement with difficulty doing everyday tasks such as rolling over, walking, changing positions, getting in and out of cars.

Diagnosis (simply a name for the symptoms)

• Pelvis or low back sprain or strain
• Pubic symphysis dysfunction
• Sciatica
• Facet joint syndrome
• Piriformis syndrome 
• Pelvic floor dysfunction (incontinence, prolapsed and/or pain)
• Diastasis recti (ab separation)
• Cervicogenic headaches (headaches caused by poor posture and cervical spine joint restrictions)
• Rib sprain
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Thoracic outlet syndrome
• Tennis/golfers elbow
• Chrondromalcia patella
• Plantar fasciitis

Chiropractic can help! We can help.

Whether you have worked with us before or you have just started care, you will soon realize that our focus is on regaining your body’s proper function. Whether you have been diagnosed with sciatica, diastasis recti or carpal tunnel syndrome that is simply a label, a name given to what hurts or what has been injured and that does not dictate our roadmap. Why it became injured is always a whole body problem. We approach your body as a whole with special interest given to your spinal joints, your movement patterns and your core function. It is in our experience that once we get your body into balance than whatever your diagnosis, your label, your symptom(s), your body’s need to get your attention, will disappear.

Your body knows how to recover from childbirth.

Postpartum Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction

Your pelvis is made up of 3 joints (left and right sacroiliac joints and symphysis pubis). These 3 joints need to work together. Proper pelvic joint motion is an important part of labour and delivery. With the decent of baby, stress is placed on these joints. Sometimes the stress can be too much and the symphysis pubis is overloaded, especially if a mom goes into labour and delivery without a balanced pelvis. This can cause postpartum SPD and can affect moms to varying degrees.

Much like a pregnant mom experiencing SPD, postpartum moms experience similar discomfort. Typically any activity that involves lifting one leg at a time or parting the legs tends to be particularly painful. Lifting the leg to put on clothes, getting out of a car, bending over, sitting down or getting up, walking up stairs, standing on one leg, lifting heavy objects, and walking in general tend to be difficult at times. Many women report that moving or turning over in bed is especially difficult.

Chiropractic can help! Many times your sacroiliac (SI) joints become restricted and don’t move as well as they should. This places extra stress and strain on your symphysis pubis and results in pain and dysfunction. Chiropractic adjustments will restore proper movement of your pelvic joints. This takes stress off your symphysis pubis and allows it to recover. If the symphysis pubis is restricted, adjustments can be made to that joint as well.

Here are some suggestions to do at home to help cope with the discomfort; 

• Ice. This will decrease any joint inflammation.
• Use a pillow between your legs when sleeping; body pillows are a great investment! If you are already doing this and still experiencing pain, add another pillow.
• Keep your legs and hips as parallel/symmetrical as possible when moving or turning in bed.
• Some women find it helpful to have their partners stabilize their hips and hold them ‘together’ when rolling over in bed or adjusting positions.
• When standing, stand symmetrically, feet hip width apart and pointed forward, with your weight evenly distributed through both legs. No shifting to one side or the other or sticking a hip out.
• Avoid ‘straddle’ movements. Lunges are an exercise to be avoided.

Pelvic Floor Dysfunction

Pregnancy and the challenges childbirth places on the pelvic floor can create postpartum pelvic floor dysfunction. And whether you experienced a vaginal delivery or caesarean, you may end up with pelvic floor dysfunction.

Pelvic floor dysfunction occurs when there is either too much tension on the pelvic floor muscles (high tone) or not enough (low tone). Your pelvic floor is a group of muscles that receive its contract/relax messages from your spine and pelvis. Does spinal alignment play a role in your pelvic floor health? Yes! Yes! Yes! The function of your nervous system is an important contributor to pelvic floor function or dysfunction.

We have watched all sorts of pelvic floor dysfunctions (urgency, bladder and/or bowel incontinence, pain, coccyx pain, constipation, and prolapse to name a few) improve with chiropractic adjustments. We highly recommend chiropractic as part of your pelvic health team.

Diastasis Recti

Diastasis Recti is the term used when your core muscles, specifically your rectus abdominus, separate. It sounds uncomfortable! But you’ve got some connective tissue (the linea alba) holding the 2 sides of muscle together. It can stretch and thin out. 

Postpartum women have a higher risk of separation because of the increased intra-abdominal pressure created by the growing baby in pregnancy. But let’s get one thing straight, all pregnant women will experience some degree of stretch or separation. We have to or our bodies would not be able to carry a child. The more dysfunctional your core is, the more likely diastasis recti can happen.

In the last decade many studies regarding pregnancy and diastasis recti have been published. In postpartum moms, the ‘inter-recti’ distance (the space between the left and right sides) of the rectus abdominus muscle decreases markedly on its own from day 1 to week 8 after pregnancy. However, if there is a gap after 8 weeks and no interventions are done to help it, the gap will remain unchanged at 1 year postpartum. 

Diastasis recti doesn’t just hang out on its own, other core dysfunctions tag along like urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence and/or pelvic organ prolapse, again letting us know that the split is just a split and we have a dysfunctional core. Our core is built like a cylinder. It is synergistic in nature, meaning that all the parts must work together in order to serve its purpose. 

Much of our core is muscle. Here’s what we know about muscles. They are dumb! All of them! They are told what to do from your nervous system. They don’t contract unless your nervous system tells them to. The nerve supply to your core includes nerves from all parts of your spine (neck, mid-back, low back and pelvis)  

So, does your nervous system play a role in a functional core? Absolutely. If these spinal joints are not moving correctly and there is nervous system interference will it play a role in a dysfunctional core? Most definitely. So while exercises are important, your spine must be moving properly. The nerve supply to these muscles must be free of interference. Chiropractic can help!