Chiropractic Pregnancy Care in Concord
Updated: 5d
Pregnancy and Chiropractic Care
Pregnancy brings physical changes that can affect how you move, sleep and manage everyday activities. As your baby grows, changes in weight distribution, posture and ligament flexibility may contribute to discomfort not only around your lower back, hips and pelvis but also in the neck and shoulder areas too.
Back pain during pregnancy is common, but it should not automatically be dismissed as something you simply have to tolerate. Understanding your symptoms and seeking appropriate advice can help your pregnancy journey more comfortable.
Why Do Pregnant Women Experience Back Pain?
There are different reasons why pregnant women experience pain and discomfort. Common causes can include:
Changes in posture and weight distribution
As your abdomen grows, your centre of gravity shifts. Your posture and movement may adapt, increasing the demands on your lower back joints and ligaments and surrounding muscles.
Hormonal changes
During pregnancy, hormonal changes—including the effects of relaxin—help the ligaments and muscles around the pelvis become more flexible in preparation for childbirth.
While stretching of ligaments and muscles makes it easier for delivery of baby, increase flexibility may contribute pain and discomfort for pregnant women.
Changes in muscle demands
Your abdominal muscles stretch as pregnancy progresses, and the muscles around your back and pelvis adapt to changing loads. Some activities may become more tiring or uncomfortable.
Daily activities and prolonged positions
Long periods of sitting or standing, repeated lifting and physically demanding tasks may aggravate symptoms. Finding a comfortable balance between activity and rest can be helpful.
Common Symptoms Associated with Pregnancy
Lower back pain
Hip and pelvis (Sacroiliac joint) pain
Sciatica (pain radiating down the leg)
Pain between the shoulder blades
Neck and shoulder tension
How to Self-Manage Pregnancy-related Pain
There are few things you can do to self-manage pregnancy related pain.
Improve Posture: Avoid slouching and take frequent breaks from prolonged sitting. When standing, try to keep your weight evenly distributed.
Maintain Physical Activity: Engage in regular, gentle exercise such as walking, swimming, or pregnancy-specific movements to support and strengthen your spine.
Optimise Sleep Position: Sleep on your side with your knees bent. Using a supportive pillow between your knees can help keep your hips and pelvis aligned.
Gentle Stretching: Incorporating daily stretches or yoga can help alleviate muscle tightness.
When to Seek Immediate Medical Attention
Although back pain is common during pregnancy, you should seek immediate advice from a medical professional if you experience any of the following:
Vaginal bleeding or leaking of fluid.
Sudden or severe swelling in the face, hands, or feet.
Persistent, severe headaches or changes in your vision (blurriness or spots).
Rhythmic cramping or contractions that do not stop with rest.
Reduced fetal movement.
High fever or chills.
Sudden, sharp pain in the abdomen or chest.
When to Consider Chiropractic Care
If back or pelvic discomfort continues despite trying the self-care tips above, consider booking a chiropractic assessment. A thorough assessment can help identify factors contributing to your pain and guide recommendations tailored to your stage of pregnancy.
How Chiropractic Can Help During Pregnancy
At our Concord clinic, we support pregnant patients with safe and gentle chiropractic care. Our care is designed to ensure every stage of your pregnancy is as comfortable, balanced and supported as possible.
Our chiropractors conduct a thorough history regarding your discomfort, perform detailed clinical examination and provide tailored treatment plans designed to:
Reduce pain and discomfort
Improve joint mobility
Provide guidance on posture, sleeping position and daily activities
Provide specific pregnant-related rehabilitative and supportive exercises
Chiropractic treatments for pregnant-related back pain can include:
Specific chiropractic adjustment: relieve joint tensions, improve joint mobility and flexibility
Soft tissue techniques: Relieves muscular tension on overloaded and tight muscles. Dry needling or cupping therapy can be used to relieve muscular tension too.
Stretching: Gentle and specific stretching techniques such as Post-Isometric Relaxation (PIR) can be performed to reduce muscular tension and improve flexibility
Targeted & Specific Exercises: Our chiropractors can go through gentle and specific exercises to strengthen muscles including pelvic floor and core muscles to support your pregnancy.
A pregnancy belly pillow may be used to support your body and accommodate your growing abdomen during treatment. We adjust your positioning to suit your stage of pregnancy and comfort.
Experiencing back or pelvic discomfort during pregnancy? Book a consultation at our clinic to explore how we can help. Located at 13 Gipps Street, Concord, we welcome patients from Burwood, Rhodes, Five Dock and across Sydney’s Inner West.
Our clinic is open seven days a week, with ample street parking available along Gipps Street, just outside the clinic. Our multilingual team offers consultations in English, Cantonese, Mandarin and Korean, so you can discuss your concerns in the language you feel most comfortable speaking.
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