In an average pregnancy, women gain 30-40 pounds causing stress upon their bodies. It is not uncommon for women to undergo many changes during pregnancy. Fortunately, chiropractic care will help make the transition with your weight gain and posture for you and your growing baby. Here are some common conditions that chiropractic can help with:
1. Sacroiliac Pain
Ligament laxity caused by hormonal changes during pregnancy allows these stable and primarily weight-bearing sacroiliac joints to move and shift. This increased mobility places stress on the surrounding ligaments and muscles, which may cause pain. Patients sometimes incorrectly describe their discomfort as hip pain, however they indicate the sacroiliac joint as the area of complaint.
2. Low Back Pain
Low back pain during pregnancy is caused by increased stress on the lumbar spine by an anterior shift in center of gravity. Muscles tend to spasm and become tight, creating altered gait patterns contributing to a wide range of pain severity depending on the patient’s activity level.
3. Sciatic Nerve Pain
Muscle spasms in the gluteal muscles and deep external rotators can compress the sciatic nerve during pregnancy. The baby’s growth contributes to uterine pressure that can directly compress the sciatic nerve, which results in low back pain with radiation into the legs.
4. Pubic Symphysis Pain
The hormone Relaxin is produced during pregnancy, which allows the ligaments stabilizing the pubic symphysis joint to relax, which permits the joint to move and separate. Also called Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction, or SPD, this condition produces pain and limitation of mobility. It also may contribute to instability of the bony pelvis.
5. Round Ligament Pain
The round ligaments of the uterus contain muscle fibers that suspend and connect it to the anterolateral abdominal wall on either side. As the uterus grows, the round ligaments stretch and can cause a sharp pain on either side of the abdomen or at the attachment sites of the ligaments near the pubic bones.
Pregnancy should be a wonderful experience without having to contend with pain. Contact us at Fogarty chiropractic to schedule your appointment now at (321) 636-5200.
