Why New Moms Need a Chiropractor

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By Dr. Nikki

You’ve spent the last several months creating life. You’ve survived morning sickness, triumphed over contractions, and made it through delivery. What you’ve achieved is remarkable! And now, you’re back at home, getting used to your new life, your new routines, and your newborn.

Your body underwent a significant amount of change preparing for your new baby. And you may agree that the changes haven’t stopped. You’re not getting enough sleep. You’re figuring out feeding. You’re carrying heavy baby bags and maneuvering through tricky car seats.

Motherhood is hard on the body.

Aches and pains during and after pregnancy aren’t uncommon. In fact, 1 in 2 women will suffer from some type of lower back pain while pregnant or during their postpartum period.[1]

Maybe you went to a chiropractor during your pregnancy to help with back pain or sciatica. Or perhaps you’ve never made an appointment before. Either way, a chiropractor may be able to bring you much-needed relief for symptoms you may be facing.

CHIROPRACTIC CAN HELP YOUR BODY HEAL

When the body gets ready for labor and delivery, it releases a hormone called relaxin. This hormone loosens the ligaments and joints near your pelvis. The loosening can cause you to go out of alignment easier. When this happens, you can feel discomfort with even simple activities like walking.

Research shows that relaxing stays in your system even after delivery. Some studies say that it can remain elevated for three to six months — or even longer if you’re breast-feeding.[2]

Eventually, though, the hormone returns to its pre-pregnancy level, and the body starts tightening back up. Chiropractic care can help jump-start your healing and make sure proper blood flow goes to those tightening ligaments. 

During your pregnancy, you also likely lost core muscle strength as your baby grew and your uterus expanded. This weakening impacts your spinal support, which can also result in recurrent pain.[3] A postpartum chiropractor can help restore spinal alignment and pelvic balance. They do this through adjustments and showing you exercises or stretches. This provides support to your back and spine as you start rebuilding strength.

ADJUSTMENTS CAN RELIEVE YOUR NEW ACHES AND PAINS

With a new baby comes new routines. These new routines can be rewarding and establish those loving bonds with your baby. They can also bring with them some discomfort. 

What are some of the changes you’ve noticed in your body since coming home from the hospital? What about your activity level? Have you noticed new aches that you didn’t have when pregnant? Here are a few scenarios you may be experiencing:

  • Changes in weight. Pounds gained during pregnancy typically won’t disappear the moment you have your baby. This is common and perfectly normal. Sometimes this change in weight can cause the body’s center of gravity to shift. Your body compensates for that through your posture, which can cause added strain on your back.

  • Carrying a baby and all their accessories (e.g., diaper bags, food/formula, change of clothes, etc.). Think about all the extra bending and lifting you’re doing now. You lean over to pick up your baby from their crib. You’re changing 80 diapers an hour. You tote the carrier and buckle the stroller. You’re lifting, twisting, and maneuvering much more now that you have a baby.

  • On your feet more. Don’t forget those sleepless nights where you’re going to and from the crib. Or those moments when you’re walking a 15K around your house to comfort your crying baby. You’re sterilizing bottles. You’re washing what feels like every piece of laundry in the world. No doubt, you’re on your feet more now than you may have ever been before.

Chiropractic care can help you adjust to these new routines and the aches that can come with them. Chiropractors mainly do this by providing adjustments to realign your body and bring relief to your nervous system. 

They can also recommend stretches for you to do at home for more in-the-moment comfort. Chiropractors care about your body and your wellness. They want what happens during your appointment to also benefit you at home.

CHIROPRACTORS CAN HELP WITH YOUR POSTURE

One of the common symptoms that postpartum chiropractors treat is back pain. When pregnant, 70 percent of women complain of pain in their lower backs.[4] After delivery, the discomfort typically then shifts towards the middle back.

There are several contributing factors to mid-back pain: 

  • Rocking your baby

  • Bending or stooping over to lift your baby

  • Bottle-feeding or breast-feeding

Much of the back pain related to feeding has to do with improper posture. A common position moms tend to take is one where the shoulders are rounded forward, and the head is facing down towards the baby.[5] Moms who bottle feed share a similar posture.

The concern with this posture is that it adds strain on the back and neck. Your physical posture may also impact your nervous system. This rounded or slumped position can trigger your body’s sympathetic nervous system (AKA, the fight-or-flight response). This can result in unnecessary stress on your body without you even realizing why.[6,7]

Chiropractic adjustments can reduce the sympathetic nervous system response and instead promote parasympathetic activity. This calms the body and encourages it to rest.[8]

Along with adjustments, chiropractors also recommend ways to help with your feeding posture. Here are a few to get you going:

  • When preparing to feed, sit or stand with your chest open. Ensure your shoulders are down and back.

  • Bring the baby to you versus leaning over. Use pillows as needed to prop your baby.

  • Use a footstool if your feet don’t touch the floor during feeding.

  • Babies can get heavy. Make sure to support your arms using a pillow or blanket.

  • Consider some easy yoga poses. Click here for ones specifically designed to help new moms.

ADJUSTMENTS HELP YOU ADJUST

Having a new baby is truly life-changing. Your home and routines will never be the same. As you move forward in this new life, remember to take the time to care for you and your body. 

Postpartum recovery isn’t overnight. Make sure you find a chiropractor you trust and who focuses on pre and postnatal populations. 

We at Renew & Restore Wellness are here for you throughout your journey. Give our office a quick call, or book an appointment online. We’d love to see you (and your new little one!).

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SOURCES

1. (n.d.). Pregnancy-related low back pain - NCBI. Retrieved January 26, 2020, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3306025/

2. (2016, October 2). Postpartum Yoga: For New Moms - Healthline. Retrieved January 26, 2020, from https://www.healthline.com/health/parenting/postpartum-yoga-for-new-moms

3. (n.d.). Bookends: Prenatal and Postpartum Chiropractic Care | Baby .... Retrieved January 26, 2020, from https://www.babyandcompany.com/prenatal-postpartum-chiropractic-care/

4. (2018, November 19). Musculoskeletal pain and symptoms in pregnancy: a ... - NCBI. Retrieved January 26, 2020, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6262502/

5. (2019, March 1). Nursing Posture and its Role in Sympathetic Dominance .... Retrieved January 26, 2020, from http://pathwaystofamilywellness.org/Breastfeeding/nursing-posture-and-its-role-in-sympathetic-domininance.html

6. Ibid.

7. (2018, September 24). The Stress Series: Part 3 – Stress and Posture - Australian .... Retrieved January 26, 2020, from https://spinalresearch.com.au/the-stress-series-part-3-stress-and-posture/

8. (2019, March 1). Nursing Posture and its Role in Sympathetic Dominance .... Retrieved January 26, 2020, from http://pathwaystofamilywellness.org/Breastfeeding/nursing-posture-and-its-role-in-sympathetic-domininance.html