Prenatal Chiropractic

Prenatal Chiropractic care and pregnancy – what is the connection? In general, the connection is one of function. The joints and soft-tissues that are addressed with chiropractic treatment have a physical connection to the uterus and their overall function is so important during the birthing process.

“Mommy, can you pleeez go see the back Doctor again…”

Check out Dr.Gillian Sawyer’s website. There you will find lots of information about prenatal and postnatal care including treatments for newborns.

Discomfort When Lying on the Side

This can be caused by stress or irritation through the Sacroiliac joints of the pelvis. These joints are so important and specifically related to changes during pregnancy. The reason being is the connection to the uterus. The sacrum (tailbone) which is the triangle bone at the bottom of the spine has a ligamentous connection to the uterus. As the uterus expands and grows the movement of the SI joints and the tension through the ligaments can change and essentially shift the alignment of the sacrum and as a result the SI joints. If there is a shift or misalignment women usually experience pain or discomfort in the SI joint region (the lowest part of the back).

Mid to Late Stage Pregnancy & Lower Back Pain

The pregnant body goes through different types of mechanical stresses and the baby grows and the body accommodates. One of the reasons for lower back pain is a result of the forward shift in the center of gravity. As the belly grows andexpands the center of gravity gets shifted forward, as a result the pelvis tilts and the natural curve in the low back increases. The joints and muscles of the low back and pelvis end up taking on majority of the load. In an attempt to compensate with this shift the upper back and neck can start to feel tight and stiff as well.

Chiropractic Can Help You Have Better Delivery….

The functionality and ease movement in the SI joints is not just important for comfort during pregnancy but also in the birthing process. As the baby descends towards the birth canal it will pass through the boney ring structure of the pelvis. This boney ring is formed by 3 joints, at the back is the 2 SI joints and at the front the pubic symphysis (pubic bone). During this process, ease of movement of the sacrum and SI joints is so important to allow space for the baby to pass through. The sacrum will only be able to move as it needs to if the joints on either side (the SI joints) are balanced and mobile. Going into the birthing process with balance, mobility and ease of movement in the pelvic joints allows them to move as they need to and can result in a quicker labour and delivery.

What is the Webster Technique?

“The Webster technique is a specific chiropractic analysis and adjustments that reduces interference to the nerve system and balances maternal pelvic muscles and ligaments. This in turn reduces torsion in the uterus, a cause of intra-uterine constraint of the baby and allows for optimal fetal positioning in preparation for birth” as defined by the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA) certification program. The technique uses a combination of gentle adjusting to balance the SI joints and gentle ligamentous trigger point work to reduce the tension, reduce the torsion and constraint in the uterus and allow for more room for the baby to move and better position itself.Video from You Tube on the Webster Technique

Dr. (Smith) Sawyer explains the Webster Technique in an interview with Amy Deagle, Midwife & educator.