Pregnancy, Posture, Chiropractic & Trigenics

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Being pregnant is a very wonderful and rewarding experience for most moms-to-be. However, since during pregnancy the female body experiences a number of physical changes, this can also be a time of considerable discomfort for many women.

Chiropractic has already been scientifically proven to be a very safe and effective method of achieving relief from the discomfort associated with pregnancy, allowing women to concentrate on the great joy this event brings into their lives. Recently, a new neuromuscular therapy called Trigenics® has emerged as a leading-edge therapy in the treatment of a myriad of muscular, nerve, or joint conditions.1 With the increased physical demand that pregnancy presents, Trigenics® patients have been reporting an amazing reduction in the symptoms associated with this “condition.”

During the first trimester, the initial symptoms that women experience are usually related to hormonal changes associated with successful fertilization. As the fertilized egg is implanted into the wall of the uterus, the body is triggered to make the necessary arrangements to ensure that the environment for that little growing fetus is extremely supportive. Female hormones are maintained at a high level from this point on, and for some females, this may lead to extra water retention and bloating or serve as a trigger for those prone to tension headaches and/or migraines. Since most women are advised by their MD to avoid taking medications during their pregnancy, chiropractic serves as an excellent drug-free solution.

In fact, research has proven that chiropractic is a safer and more effective method (than NSAIDs) of treating those headaches associated with problems with the nerves, muscles or joints of the neck.^2,3

During the second trimester (the following three months), physical changes in the expecting mother are more evident. As the baby grows, so does the woman’s abdomen. This shifts the woman’s centre of gravity forward and the body must work much harder to keep everything in balance. Increasing stress is placed on the lower back and pelvis as the lumbar spine is pulled forward. In addition, growing breast tissue begins to cause the shoulders to round forward, stressing the mid-back area, especially around the bra-strap.

Consequently, women in this stage will often experience the symptoms associated with irritated joints, muscles and nerves in the mid-to-lower back. It is particularly important to receive treatment for these issues at this time, to prevent these repetitive postural strains from becoming more debilitating as the woman proceeds into the final stages of her pregnancy.

Many studies have shown that chiropractic adjustments, in addition to any necessary muscle-work (with Trigenics® being the muscle treatment of choice), are extremely effective in correcting these problems.^4,5 In addition to adequate and properly supervised exercise, modified sleep positions and dietary modifications may complement any chiropractic treatments. Ask your health care provider for their recommendations on these topics.

Moving into the final trimester, the pregnant woman not only grows much larger (the average total weight gain for a pregnant mother is about 25-30 pounds), but she also begins to feel the effects of further hormonal changes. The hormone relaxin is released into the body to help promote the flexibility of the ligaments and tendons, thus allowing for the pelvic inlet to expand when it comes time to deliver the baby. Although this is a very crucial function for ensuring a proper and safe delivery, it also makes the joints of the body more susceptible to subluxate, or move easily out of position. This places an enormous stress on the muscles to hold things in their proper place, thereby predisposing the pregnant mom to muscle spasms and cramps. The areas most affected by these changes are the joints of the pelvis (sacroiliac joints) and the lower back, as these areas experience the greatest mechanical stress when the baby grows to its largest size. Sacroiliac joint pain is one of the most common complaints of late-term pregnant mothers, and it responds favourably to chiropractic treatments.⁶

Other common complaints may include sciatica, lumbago, and myofascial pain syndromes. Fortunately, your chiropractor has received at least four years of specialized education, training him/her to identify and correct these conditions. If your chiropractor also uses Trigenics®, a few passes along a tight, restricted muscle group helps to relax the muscle and re-establish a normal movement pattern. The goal of the Trigenics® treatment is always to improve the overall balance, symmetry and function of the musculoskeletal system. Combined with Trigenics®, chiropractic therapy leads to reduced stress and strain on the joints, nerves and muscles. The final product is a smiling, happy mother-to-be.

Previously published in Vista Mag

For more information about Trigenics®, visit www.trigenics.net

For more information about chiropractic, visit www.back2health.ca

References:

1. Guenette C. Understanding Trigenics. VISTA 2002; 25: 56-57.

2. Dabbs V, Lauretti WJ. A risk assessment of cervical manipulation vs NSAIDs for the treatment of neck pain. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 1996; 18(8): 530-536.
3. Vernon HT. The effectiveness of chiropractic manipulation in the treatment of headache: an exploration in the literature. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 1995; 18(9): 611-617.
4. Meade TW, Dyer S, Browne W, Townsend J, Frank AO. Low back pain of mechanical origin: randomized comparison of chiropractic and hospital outpatient treatment. BMJ 1990; 300 (6737): 1431-1437.
5. Meade TW, Dyer S, Browne W, Frank AO. Randomized comparison of chiropractic and hospital outpatient management for low back pain: results from extended follow-up. BMJ 1995; 311(7001): 349-351.

6. Daly JM, Frame PS, Rapoza PA. Sacroiliac subluxation: a common treatable cause of low back pain in pregnancy. Fam Prac Res J 1991; 11(2): 149-159.