Seeing a Chiropractor for Back Pain During Pregnancy

Many new conditions and discomforts arise in women during pregnancy, and back pain is one of the most common. This is primarily due to the actual added weight of the baby, normal stretching and lengthening of muscles during pregnancy, and loosening and slight separating of bones in the hips and lower back in preparation for childbirth. Women are often able to find relief from back pain by seeing a chiropractor during pregnancy, but there are a number of common misconceptions about doing so. This article will address the most prevalent of those myths, such as the ideas that it is unsafe and if one chiropractor can't help you, you'll just have to endure the back and hip pain until after the birth.

Is it safe?

First of all, it is almost always safe to see a chiropractor during pregnancy. Friends may warn you not to do so without any medical knowledge or evidence to back up their opinion, but they are incorrect. It is important, however, to see a chiropractor who has a lot of experience with treating and adjusting women during pregnancy if at all possible. Some have more interest in this area than others, and have thus specifically worked to be skilled at it.

Find the right chiropractor

If one chiropractor claims that he or she cannot treat your hip or back pain due to your pregnancy, it is likely due to their individual inexperience-not whether it is safe for any chiropractor to treat you. Ask your obstetrician for suggestions, or make a few phone calls to chiropractors' offices and inquire about their experience and comfort level with adjusting women during pregnancy. Some say they can even get a breech baby to turn around before birth.

Check things out on the first visit

At your first visit, you will probably be able to tell if you're comfortable with the doctor you've chosen to treat your back pain. At the very least, they should not have you lie on a hard surface on your belly. They should either have a table in their office with an adjustable midsection that "gives" under the weight of your belly or adjust you in a different position during pregnancy. Also, he or she should be able to answer questions you have about relieving back pain during pregnancy. Some will have a massage therapist in their office to treat patients. Make certain that this person is also familiar with working with pregnant women before receiving a massage.

All chiropractors are not created equally!

There are many different schools of thought within the field, and factors such as where a chiropractor went to school and which philosophies they prescribe to will affect which methods they use. If one chiropractor is not providing any relief for your back pain after a few visits or a few weeks, it is usually a good idea to try a different one rather than give up or continue suffering. Seeing a new chiropractor who adjusts differently or is simply more skilled could make all the difference in the world for your particular type of back pain. As with any type of doctor, do not assume that all chiropractors treat patients in the same manner.

Now that you know the facts, there is no reason to continue suffering from hip and back pain during pregnancy. Seeing a chiropractor may not be advisable in certain high-risk situations, but it is usually fine. Treat your back pain so that you can enjoy this very important time in your life!