Why Chiropractic During Pregnancy and Postpartum!?
Compared to women who did not receive chiropractic care during their pregnancy…
First time moms who received chiropractic care throughout pregnancy averaged 25% shorter labor times.
Mothers who had already given birth and received chiropractic care throughout pregnancy experienced 31% shorter labor times.
Chiropractic care and pregnancy- other than Chiro care and newborns, few things make me happier to talk about. Why? Because it can be an absolute game changer. Personal opinion- Chiropractic Care and Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy should be required standard practice for all birthing humans. Another why? Because helping a mom to feel educated, empowered and understood can create such a drastic shift in thinking when it comes to the prenatal and postpartum periods!
A momma’s body is growing and changing so much during the prenatal and postpartum periods and addressing the affects of those changes, educating moms on what changes are completely normal and/or not, what is expected during pregnancy AND postpartum and helping her to help herself sounds a heck of a lot better than just saying, “It’s normal to be in pain during pregnancy- it’s just how it is” or “Every mom I know has that issue, it’s normal.” Not okay. Mommas deserve more than that!
-Prenatal and Postpartum Chiropractic Care-
If you have a specific area of concern, of course we address that, but there’s so much more to it! We also cover what can be done during pregnancy to prep for both the birth and postpartum period. This includes, but by no means is limited to breathing/bracing techniques to help stabilize the core and pelvic floor through movement and decrease strain on the abdominal wall, stretching for chest and shoulders for feeding and carrying postpartum, strengthening for mid back, core and glutes, how to properly move through picking up a newborn to protect your healing body. Adjusting and bodywork are important for decreasing pain, YES, but education, holding space for moms while we walk through concerns, fears and questions can make SUCH a difference in overall care. It’s more than Chiropractic, it’s WHOLE body care.
If you’re curious about how care is different at Balance, here’s a run down of a “typical” visit and concepts that are covered during each phase. This, of course, changes and is individually customized to each momma’s needs, wants and concerns!
What to Expect at Prenatal Visits
Trimesters 1-2
Adjusting, bodywork and Webster technique
Discussing changes/ explaining how we can modify movement and activity to help support a changing system
Exercise modifications and recommendations as needed
Trimester 3 | Pre-Labor Visit:
Last pelvic alignment check
Basics on connection breath- breathing to support contraction and relaxation of core/pelvic floor
Re-assess ability to connect to core/ pelvic floor with a squat and hinge- INCREDIBLY helpful for postpartum
Basics on mid-back care for postpartum
List of support groups: lactation consultant, pelvic floor, mental health, etc.
Chat briefly about when to reach out for care for kiddo and the necessity for care POSTPARTUM! (see below for why)
Adjusting, bodywork and Webster technique
What to Expect at Postpartum Visits
Postpartum Visits: 2-3 weeks and 6 weeks
2-3 weeks:
Breathing Patterns- to help with supporting deep core/ pelvic floor and finding stability
Discussing movement patterns to help support picking up baby, etc.
GENTLE adjusting-
typical adjusting/bodywork for mid-back, neck and shoulders to help reduce the stress and tension from holding, carrying and feeding
only muscle work, light pelvic blocking and mobility work from the bra-line down until about 4 weeks
Education on gentle stretching/ mobilization for areas of discomfort
Check in on feeding and if there are any difficulties/ concerns that have not been addressed
6 Weeks Postpartum:
Pelvic floor verbal screen and referrals as needed
Posture screen/Gait evaluation and treatment
typically working on those tense, forward leaning shoulders and compensatory postures from pregnancy and postpartum while the core and pelvic floor heal
Diastasis assessment and INDIVIDUALIZED recommendations
Lifting/Movement patterns
Functional movement eval
Back to activity plan
Full adjusting if deemed appropriate! YAY
Hi there!
My name is Dr. Dani and I’m an In-Home Chiropractor to busy individuals and families within the Denver Metro area. I love working with the pregnancy, postpartum and pediatric populations and strive for quality care through extended appointment times, follow-up recommendations and education so that you can feel both empowered and cared for! I truly just love supporting women!
Questions? Comments? CONTACT ME
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Instagram: @balance.chiro.and.rehab
YouTube: Dr. Dani Engle
Check out more information about Dr. Dani and what Balance Chiro and Rehab offers to those in the Denver Metro area (and surrounding areas) HERE.
