Archive for pregnancy
As an Oxnard Chiropractor I treat many pregnant women not only for common low back pain associated with pregnancy, but for other pregnancy symptoms such as heartburn, nausea, and swelling due to water retention or joint stress. A healthy pregnancy is crucial for both mother and baby. And although regular chiropractic care during pregnancy is very important, there are many other influences that can affect a woman’s health during her pregnancy. Some of these influences are well-known, but there may be some of which you are unaware. For instance, I just ran across a new study released in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives that discusses the effects of high levels of common flame-retardant chemicals on the thyroid hormone levels in pregnant women. It is the first large study to investigate levels of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and their effects on the highly sensitive thyroid hormone in pregnant women. “Normal maternal thyroid hormone levels are essential for normal fetal growth and brain development,” stated Jonathan Chevrier, one of the study’s authors and a researcher in epidemiology and in environmental health sciences at UC Berkeley, “so our findings could have significant public health implications.”
Where are PBDEs found? Just about everywhere, such as in carpets, textiles, foam furnishings, electronics and plastics. PBDEs can leach out into the environment and accumulate in human fat cells. Is it any wonder then that PBDEs can be found in the blood of most American residents? And, if you live in California the situation is even more criticaul because of the state’s rigorous flammability laws. Concentrations of the chemicals in blood and breast milk have increased dramatically in the last three decades.
Though it is not currently known just how the chemicals interfere with thyroid function, researchers believe that PBDEs could bind to thyroid receptors and alter how the hormone is released. The bottom line, however, is that these chemicals are dangerous, especially for pregnant women. “Our results suggest that exposure to PBDE flame retardants may have unanticipated human health risks,” said Brenda Eskenazi, a professor of epidemiology and of maternal and child health at UC Berkeley.
Your Oxnard Chiropractor, Dr. Donald Bolt, knows that you may have concerns about getting adjusted during your pregnancy. If you are worried, you needn’t be. Not only are chiropractic adjustments safe during pregnancy, it is a great idea to get adjusted while you are pregnant!
You’ve probably noticed that, your body is going through a variety of changes, and these alterations will continue as the pregnancy progresses. A subtle change is your body’s increased production of the hormone elastin. This hormone is designed to relax the tendons in the pelvis. This easing gives the pelvis more flexibility during the birthing process to make delivering the baby easier.
This process, although designed to help the mother during labor, can produce much discomfort in the months leading up to the birth. As the pregnancy advances, more elastin is released, which allows the pelvis to become increasingly more unstable. In combination with the increased size of the baby and uterus, and you have the formula for severe low back pain. As a Chiropractor in Oxnard, Dr. Bolt currently sees a number of pregnant patients in his office for symptoms associated with their pregnancy, but most commonly it is for their low back pain.
One side benefit of having your spine and pelvis checked by a chiropractor regularly during your pregnancy is that there is proof that it can actually decrease labor time. Why is that you ask? Simply put, if the pelvis is aligned properly, the muscles contracting during the labor process are more efficient and won’t have to strain against misaligned joints.
Chiropractic is not only safe and beneficial in relieving the low back pain associated with pregnancy, but it relieves other symptoms like heartburn, nausea, swelling, and so on. In addition, should the need arise, a trained chiropractor, like Dr. Bolt, can assist a mother who has a breached baby. This is done by using the Webster Technique, a low force technique to manipulate the uterus and get the baby into the proper presentation for delivery. Additional information on the Webster Technique can easily be found online.
To summarize, chiropractic is both beneficial and safe in helping to relieve many of the discomforts of pregnancy. Please go to see your local chiropractor, or if you live or work nearby, call Dr. Bolt, your Oxnard Chiropractor. Chiropractic can make you feel a lot more comfortable during your pregnancy, and it can even make the labor process easier!
