Chiropractic care and Myofascial Release Therapy are great and safe for pregnancy and post pregnancy care.
Pregnancy Pain
A woman’s body goes through so many changes during pregnancy, and for some, these physical changes can cause great discomfort and extreme pain. Using postural analysis, patterns of muscle and fascial tension, and a number of gentle, low force techniques a lot of pain and discomfort can be relieved.
Postpartum Care
Postpartum care for mother and baby is very important and at times very undervalued in our society. Birth can be a traumatic experience for either mother, baby, or both. Dr. Loren and Melynda believe that family care is very important, and early childhood care is extremely valuable.
Dr. Loren offers free adjustments to children under 3 when other family members are being seen, and Melynda will use the same visit time to treat as many of the children of the same family as possible. Read more about infant and child care here.
In home care is also offered (for some services) to new mothers, new babies, children with social or environmental sensitivities, and in other cases where in home care could be more beneficial. Please contact us for further information about this service.
How Does Chiropractic Care help During Pregnancy?
Chiropractic care can be greatly beneficial during pregnancy for general mobilization and postural correction. During the later stages of pregnancy, the hormone relaxin increases in circulation, and this hormone is responsible for softening the ligaments in preparation for birth. Increased relaxin can also lead to an increase in spinal dysfunction and misalignment. The Webster technique is a specialized chiropractic approach which focuses on the tension caused by the round ligament which supports the uterus during pregnancy. Gentle corrections to the round ligament can result in great relief to the mother and ease in the process of child birth.
How Does Myofascial Release Therapy Help in Pregnancy?
Myofascial Release therapy helps reduce fascial restriction to relieve pain in pregnancy and help achieve a balanced body for the most optimal position for mother and baby during the birth. Using a variety of gentle, hands-on, and specific release techniques focused on imbalances in anatomical connections that can create unwanted “pulls” in the body that can shift the balance of the mother or baby.
How Does Posture in Pregnancy affect Mother and Baby?
Posture can have a huge affect on everyone’s bodies, but in pregnancy the tension and restriction caused by unbalanced posture can affect the mother, the baby, and the birth process. Focused attention, chiropractic care, and myofascial release can create a balanced, pain free state for both mother and baby.
What is the Best Position for a Baby to be in During the Birth?
A baby can be in many different positions in the beginning of pregnancy, but between 26-30 weeks the baby’s position becomes more important. The baby’s position can be found through palpation, and if the baby’s position is not ideal there are a number of things that can be tried at home as well professional techniques that can be used to gently and safely assist the baby’s and the mother’s positions.
What is the Ideal Position of a Baby in Pregnancy?
The Left Occiput Anterior (LOA) position is seen as the most beneficial position for the baby and mother during birth. In the LOA position, the baby’s back is on the mother’s left side and the baby’s face is between the mother’s right hip and spine. Babies tend to settle into this position when everything is in a balanced state. The LOA position helps the baby be able to accomplish all of the needed rotations during birth and achieve the smallest diameter of the head to fit in the mother’s pelvis.
Why Do We Want the Baby’s Chin Tucked?
In the ideal position, it is best when the baby’s chin is tucked. Tucking the chin creates the smallest diameter possible with the less strain on the baby’s anatomy. In the image below, “D” shows that chin up can achieve the same diameter, but this can put excessive strain on the cervical spine (neck), limits the needed range of motion of the baby during delivery, and puts a lot of strain on the anterior tissues (muscle and fascia).
What are some of the ways that Myofascial Release can help positioning?
There are a number of different techniques that can be done for mothers and babies to get into a balanced position for birth. Some of these techniques can be done at home as well. When used in conjunction Craniosacral Therapy, Myofascial Release (MFR), and Chiropractic Care the results can be pretty remarkable.
The Forward-Leaning Inversion is used to reduce gravity currently on the baby, allowing for easier rotation, and to create space in the lower uterus. This extra space allows the baby to move into and maintain the ideal birthing positions.
The Sidelying Release relaxes, lengthens, and releases muscles and fascia. These connective tissues are interconnected with the pelvis and can become restricted, which can limit the mobility of both mother and baby.
The Standing Sacral Release is a myofascial unwinding technique that uses gentle pressure on the pelvis and hips. This pressure releases the myofascial restrictions, and allows for the natural movements needed in both mother and baby.
Round Ligament Release is used to release the restriction on the round ligament. This restriction can be very painful. Tension in the round ligament can unbalance the uterus and limit the range of motion of the baby as well.
Peak Atlas Chiropractic – 1940 Greeley St S #107, Stillwater, MN 55082 – Call/Text: 651-300-9566 Contact Us