Pregnancy Chiropractor in Rome, GA

Why Pregnant Patients in Rome Seek Chiropractic Care

The majority of our future moms aren't coming to the clinic to deal with a complication or injury; they're seeking relief because their bodies are adjusting rapidly and that process is becoming physically taxing. Patients often arrive reporting low back pain that manifested around week 20, pelvic instability that makes turning over in bed at night nearly impossible, or sudden jabs of round ligament pain when from sitting to standing.

These are common presentations we see week after week in the office.

As a pregnancy advances, your center of mass shifts forward. Concurrently, a hormone known as relaxin causes the pelvic ligaments to relax, preparing the body for birth, but this added mobility creates extra strain on the spine and other joints. In many cases, the symptoms of these structural shifts progress so gradually that, by the time a mom notices they're affecting her regular activities, walking along the trail, carrying her child, or even sitting at a workstation, she's been struggling with the discomfort for weeks or even months.

Below are some of the most common issues we see with expecting women:

• Low back and sacroiliac joint pain, often intensifying over each trimester
• Structural imbalances in the pelvis that may hinder fetal positioning
• Pain that radiates down the legs (sciatica), usually starting in the third trimester
• Headaches that are linked to postural shifts or cervical stress
• Restricted range of motion causing discomfort in everyday movement

It's estimated that between 50-70 percent of all expecting mothers experience low back pain during pregnancy, according to the American Pregnancy Association [1]. That's a significant portion of the population. It is often considered the norm for women to just push through the pain until it subsides, but you don't have to.

A pregnancy chiropractor focuses on maintaining balance in the pelvis and alignment of the spine as your body works hard to accommodate your developing baby. Pregnancy adjustment is not the same thing as a standard adjustment. It focuses on maintaining joint mobility to allow your body to adjust without the pain piling up, trimester after trimester. Our Rome patients often wish they'd consulted a chiropractor during their first trimester, or as soon as they were aware, and many wish they had come sooner. That said, pregnancy adjustment can be initiated at any point during the pregnancy. Your body is constantly in flux, and we want to help with that at any stage of the pregnancy. If you’re in pain, start by contacting a chiropractor in Rome, GA today.

What to Expect at Your First Pregnancy Chiropractic Visit

When you arrive, you can expect an initial intake period where we will simply talk. That's it.

At a minimum, the first pregnancy chiropractor session will always begin with a health discussion focused on your stage of pregnancy, the specific symptoms you've come to address, and how your symptoms have been affecting you. Women coming to our office in west Rome, or near Berry College, for example, most commonly report low back pain that won't seem to go away, pelvic discomfort where it feels like something is out of place, or difficulty sleeping due to being unable to find a comfortable position. We commonly hear: "I'm a little uncomfortable" or "my back is acting up, can I be seen?" It's our job as healthcare professionals to learn all about your health history, past pregnancy and current health, and your current trimester.

After your initial discussion with us, this is what typically happens during the visit: a physical exam focusing on pelvis, spine, and posture. We'll look for pelvic and spinal misalignments. And we will discuss our findings and recommendations before we make an adjustment. If you're comfortable, a gentle adjustment will take place. We use specialized drop tables for the pregnant mom so that we never compress your belly, and you can still comfortably lie on your stomach, even at 36 weeks, which often shocks many people.

What is often the most surprising for first time patients, though, is how fast pain relief occurs. This isn't always or for everyone. Many leave the office feeling much better, while others feel no change for a few visits. We want to be sure that our expectations are realistic and not overpromised or underestimated. The entire first visit to our Rome office takes around 45 minutes, which is longer than our routine follow-ups. We take the time and care needed to ensure that all patients are heard and not rushed, and we make it a priority. Also, if you're not sure if you need chiropractic care or not, we don't blame you. Many of our patients have expressed concern or anxiety about coming for their first visit, which is understandable. We are more than happy to discuss your needs and concerns with you over the phone if needed.

The Webster Method and Pelvic Alignment

As we mention, one of the most commonly used chiropractic techniques we use is the Webster Technique. What is it? The Webster Method is a specific chiropractic treatment for the sacrum and the pelvic structure, NOT to turn a baby! The purpose of the technique is to decrease tension on the muscles and ligaments that hold the pelvic structure in place to allow for better and more function of the structure to allow your baby to move naturally into the head down position if needed. Per the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association, this technique seeks to normalize pelvic motion and to reduce the biomechanical dysfunction of pregnancy, especially at the sacral joints and pelvis itself [2].

So, what happens during a Webster adjustment? First we will determine if the sacrum is out of place while you are comfortable on the chiropractic table with a special pillow that keeps you and your baby safe. Using gentle chiropractic techniques, the lower spine/sacrum can be put into place. We can also determine if your round ligaments, on each side, are balanced. If they're too tight, it can restrict the uterus from its most balanced state. In addition to the spinal and pelvic adjustments, our doctors can also work on the soft tissue area in order to decrease the stress in the pelvic structure. All of this can usually take only a few minutes and is not painful at all. Most moms report the sensation as a relief wave, not pain or force. Our clinic experience bears this out on a weekly basis. Mom walks in at 30 weeks with breech presentation, the pelvis in rotation and no adequate room for the fetus to engage. We treat it a few times; the tension relaxes, the pelvis is corrected, and the child gets in the right position. We cannot promise to correct your position, but we can create the best chance in your body for this to occur.

Pelvic misalignment affects more than position. It contributes to lower back and hip pain, pain over your SI joint. Many Rome moms who work on their feet experience this more. As the baby grows, your pelvis compensates for the added weight, creating tension in other areas. The Webster technique treats the underlying cause, rather than only symptoms. That's why pregnancy chiropractor is so much in demand as the number one chiropractor service in our practice.

When to Begin Care & How often to Come In

The question of when to start chiropractic care for pregnancy is probably the most frequently asked one that comes into my practice. The answer is "any week." While many patients first start during the second trimester, when the pelvis begins to shift to give the fetus room, others first visit us at 6 weeks pregnant (for relief from the back pain experienced from a previous pregnancy), while others come in as late as 34 weeks (for example, after learning about pregnancy chiropractor care from their OB). There is no right or wrong time to begin, but obviously we will adjust treatment plans accordingly.

A Suggestion of Treatment Plans

Every pregnancy is different but the majority of patients see chiropractor treatment on this schedule: 1st Trimester: every 3 to 4 weeks (mainly to keep the pelvis balanced with the loosening ligaments); 2nd Trimester: every 2 to 3 weeks (center of gravity shifts and the pelvis is forced into alignment); 3rd Trimester: weekly visits from around 32 weeks until delivery; Final weeks: some patients near the West Rome area come in twice a week leading up to their due date. We have not pushed a particular treatment plan on anyone. It depends on each mom's pregnancy and the way the body reacts to treatment. Often, those who start early have an easier pregnancy. Those who do wait until the third trimester do still get real relief, it just may take a few more visits to catch up. Plus here is something to keep in mind if you want to have a natural birth, consistent care during those final weeks in Rome may actually help your pelvis and the baby get into a better position for labor. We have seen this happen many times. Your first visit is approximately 45 minutes and follow-up appointments are more like 20 minutes. We make it simple to schedule in between shopping and lunch. Most patients end up saying that this is one appointment they look forward to during pregnancy.

Safe Pregnancy Chiropractic Care in Rome at Douglas Family & Animal Chiropractic

Pregnancy is a period of great change in the female body as ligaments loosen, the center of gravity shifts, and you may find that some things that didn't hurt before are causing daily pain. For this reason, pregnancy chiropractic care is becoming so popular. Expecting mothers come into our Rome office each and every week experiencing the same set of symptoms. Low back pain that does not go away. Aches in the hips that make it difficult to sleep at night. Round ligament pain that may strike around the second trimester. Many of these women were unaware that a chiropractor could provide pregnancy care until a friend or an OB suggested it.

We specialize in the Webster Technique, a method specifically designed for chiropractic care of expectant mothers. This type of chiropractic care centers around the pelvis and sacrum. It helps to reduce tension and stress to surrounding muscle and ligaments which may help promote proper pelvic balance that could lead to less pregnancy pain and better room for the baby to assume an ideal position within the womb. According to the American Pregnancy Association, pregnancy chiropractic care is generally accepted as being safe when done by a qualified chiropractor.

Every adjustment we give is gentle and safe.

We use gentle, low-force techniques and we also make use of various cushions that allow the pregnant mom to lie face down in complete comfort, even right up to 36 weeks. There is no twisting or cracking that might alarm anyone. Mothers in and around West Rome and near the Berry College corridor tell us they enjoy their visits because it's the time they finally get real relief for the hour.

Some of the many benefits our patients note include:

• Fewer occurrences of low back and hip pain in between visits
• Easier sleep position on one's side during the night
• Less sciatica symptoms toward the end of the last trimester
• Improved ease of movement during daily activities

We are certified and experienced with pre-natal patients, this has not come from a weekend seminar. Dr. Douglas has years of hands-on experience adjusting women through all three trimesters, yet we are not hesitant to refer you to another doctor if we feel it may be outside our area of expertise. We will always point a patient in the right direction for pregnancy-related healthcare in Rome. Your pregnancy should not be months of "enduring" the pain.