health spotlight

During pregnancy, the mother’s body goes through many physical and hormonal changes in a short nine-month period. The weight of the baby shifts toward the front of the body, causing stress and stretching to muscles, ligaments, tendons and nerves in the back and gluteal areas. Lower back pain and pelvic pain tend to begin toward the end of the second trimester.

Closer to your due date, your body will release a hormone called relaxin to allow your pelvis to accommodate the birthing process. This hormone loosens ligaments, which ultimately causes instability and pain in your joints. Working with a chiropractor early in pregnancy can help you adapt more quickly to the changes occurring in your body and manage aches and pains before they get worse.

Dr. Sibyl of Bence Chiropractic Wellness Center says, “Chiropractic care is a drug-free, natural solution to your pregnancy care plan, and a chiropractor can be an invaluable member of your birth team. Women who receive chiropractic care during their pregnancy have shorter labor times, a more comfortable pregnancy and ideal positioning of the baby for birth. An imbalance in your pelvis can affect your, and your baby’s, comfort level. If your pelvis isn’t balanced, your labor progression and your baby’s ability to be optimally positioned for birth can be affected.”

The Webster technique and prenatal massages complement chiropractic adjustments. The Webster technique helps achieve a state of balance in the pelvis that may contribute to a safer, easier birth outcome. Dr. Sibyl is certified in the Webster technique.

“At Bence Chiropractic Wellness Center, we have an amazing massage therapist on staff that specializes in prenatal massage. Massage is a great way to loosen tight muscles, especially the psoas muscle, allowing the spine to move properly,” Dr. Sibyl says.

Care is taken to ensure comfort during prenatal massage, such as being positioned on your side, propped up with pillows for comfort. Beyond pain relief, massage can help improve sleep and decrease anxiety by activating the parasympathetic nervous system.

Chiropractic care includes gentle and effective techniques to help support your body as much as possible.

Bence Chiropractic Wellness Center has offices in Macomb and Sterling Heights. For more information, call Dr. Sibyl at 586-978-9900, visit BenceChiro.com or check out their online Natural Directory listing.