Five Ways Postpartum Mothers Benefit From Chiropractic Care
Once a new baby arrives, moms often want to feel as prepared as possible; physically, emotionally and mentally. While it’s impossible to do all of this right away, postpartum chiropractic care can help postpartum mamas get a head start on their healing process.
How does pregnancy and childbirth impact A mother’s body?
Pregnancy and childbirth can cause a lot of physiological changes such as:
+ Loosening Ligaments
+ Spreading Bones
+ Pinched Nerves
+ Persisting Back Pain
+ Shifting Posture
+ Increase in Hormone Levels
In concert with some (or all) of these changes, postpartum moms are also responsible for taking care of their little ones. This often means engaging in repeated movement patterns such as lifting or carrying their babies, hunching over while diapering or gazing down while breastfeeding. As a result, many postpartum moms will experience discomfort in the neck, shoulders, elbows, wrists, and even lower spine and legs.
How can postpartum chiropractic care help?
Seeing a chiropractor after childbirth gives postpartum mama’s the ability to jump-start their body’s healing process. Here are five benefits of postpartum chiropractic care:
Enhanced Biomechanics: The body’s center of gravity shifts drastically throughout pregnancy and childbirth, impacting the back, hips, spinal column - all of which can even change a person's gait. Chiropractic care can restore the body's biomechanics, releasing pressure and realigning joints and ligaments.
Encourage Self-Healing: The postpartum healing process requires time and attention. Pregnancy and childbirth can impact the spinal column and the nervous system. Through gentle adjustments focusing on the realignment of the spine, chiropractors can encourage the self-healing process.
Pain Relief: Extended periods of holding or feeding baby can sometimes leave moms with discomfort in the neck, shoulders, elbows, and even wrists. Some moms also suffer from sciatica, which is nerve compression in the lower spine causing lower back pain or tingling/numbness in the legs. Chiropractic adjustments can alleviate postpartum pain-related symptoms offering mamas much-needed relief.
Postpartum Mood Support: We know having a baby gives way to a myriad of physical and emotional changes, which can sometimes lead to postpartum depression. Chiropractic care has shown to improve mood disorders by lowering blood pressure, triggering positive hormones, encouraging better sleep, relieving tension, and encouraging relaxation.
Pelvic Rehabilitation: Pregnancy and birth can cause the pelvis to become tilted or misaligned. This can potentially cause an imbalance in the spine by allowing discs to shift and compress, as well as impact the function of the pelvic floor muscles. Gentle chiropractic adjustments can help restore proper pelvic alignment and muscle balance allowing mamas to engage in everyday activities and exercise routines when appropriate.
Throughout the postpartum healing process, the body is working to restore normal function while also supporting the demands of caring for a new baby. Postpartum chiropractic care can help make sure your body feels supported as it stretches to meet the needs and demands of motherhood.
Ready to learn more?
Schedule an appointment with Dr. Nadia to discuss how postpartum chiropractic care can support you throughout your motherhood journey. Follow this link to book your service. We look forward to working with you!
