Pregnancy, Infants and Children
and chiropractic care

Pregnancy               Infants               Children



Pregnancy

This period of rapid development, hormonal changes, laxity of ligaments, and shifting of weight-bearing structures, may cause many pregnant women to experience low back pain.  In fact, the incidence of low back pain during pregnancy is approximately 50% of pregnant women.  With spinal adjustments, 84% of women report relief of back pain during pregnancy.

As mom's center of gravity changes, so does
the stress to her spine.

Chiropractic care can be quite helpful.  Besides helping to relieve the discomfort many expectant mothers experience, chiropractic care helps normalize nervous system function.  This is an important component of overall good health.  It should also be obvious that if the mother's nerve supply is working optimally, then the fetus has a better chance to grow and develop normally.

Many women find their labor shorter and
experience less discomfort if they've
received chiropractic care.

The benefits of chiropractic care may also he noticed during delivery.  Many chiropractic patients report that their deliveries were faster and more comfortable than deliveries previous to chiropractic care!  A quicker delivery reduces the need for drugs and provides a happier and more comfortable birthing experience.

Modified approaches can make chiropractic adjustments for pregnant moms easy, safe and comfortable.

Your Doctor of Chiropractic will take special precautions with you during your pregnancy.  Modifications to the table or adjusting techniques are made during each stage of pregnancy.  Pamper yourself and your baby with regular chiropractic checkups.

References
Diakow, P. R., Gadsby, T. A., et al, Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 14(2):116-118, February, 1991.
Esch, S., Zachman, Z., Adjustive Procedures for the Pregnant Chiropractic Patient, Chiropractic Technique, 3(2):66, May, 1991.
MacLennan, A. H., Nicholson, R., Green, R., Bath, M., Serum Relaxin and Pelvic Pain in Pregnancy, pp 243-245, Lancet 11, 1986.
Maitland, D., MBE Vertebral Manipulation, 5th edition, Butterworth, 1986.
Ostgood, M.D., Anderson, M.D., Schuttz, PhD, Miller, PhD, Influence of Some Biomechanical Factors on Low Back Pain in Pregnancy, Spine Magazine, Vol. 18, 1993.
Feet, J., D.C., Chiropractic Pediatric and Prenatal Reference Manual, 2nd edition, Baby Adjusters, Inc. Publications, 1992.
Plaugher, G., D.C., Anrig-Howe, C., D.C., Textbook of Clinical Chiropractic, Williams and Wilkins, 1993.
Rothman, M.D., Simone, M.D., The Spine, 3rd edition, W. B. Saunders, 1992.
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Infants & Children

If a child does not have back pain, well then he/she does not need chiropractic care, right?  Wrong!  Have you ever witnessed the birth of a baby?  Even the most gentle of births can cause damage to the delicate spine of a newborn.  Research conducted by Dr. Gutman revealed that 80% of infants checked during the first months of life had subluxations that were directly related to birth trauma.  That means that 80% of these infants had damaging nerve interference as a result of spinal misalignments.  This may result in excessive crying or may not result in any obvious symptoms at all.  It is possible that the symptoms may show up years later.  A forceps delivery can cause even more debilitating damage to the spine.  On average, the use of forceps can place 90-110 pounds of traction on a baby's neck (doubling its length).  Research indicates 120 pounds can cause decapitation!

If the baby is lucky enough to escape birth trauma, the efforts of learning to walk and playtime can be hard on the spine.  The average child will fall 2500 times by the age of 7 and will have had at least 1 severe fall by the age of 3!  Each fall can cause spinal misalignment and lead to nerve interference.

Can we not all agree that a growing child needs a healthy nerve supply?  Chiropractic specializes in improving the nerve system and chiropractors are trained to adjust children gently and safely.  Research has determined that children who received chiropractic care were sick less, missed fewer days from school, had fewer emotional, neurological and learning problems and required fewer antibiotics.  Get your children checked!  Having their nerve supply at optimal levels can have a huge impact on the quality of life that they experience now and later on in their lives.

The liver has over 700 different functions.  How does it know which of the 700 to do?  Could it
be the brain and your nervous system.  Keep
your nerves clear through regular
chiropractic check-ups.
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