pregnancy care
Pregnancy is a special time in a woman’s life. It is full of excitement, wonder, and to be honest…a little discomfort. Nausea, vomiting, headaches and fatigue are common in the first trimester. Lower back pain, heartburn, constipation and sciatica are common in the second trimester. Pubic pain, swelling, carpal tunnel, lower back pain and altered gait are common in the third trimester. Fortunately, we have excellent treatments for all of these conditions and are here to help you focus on the excitement of your growing baby and not the discomforts of pregnancy.
Chiropractic care is extremely important during pregnancy. It can help your pelvis to stay in good alignment. This allows you to progress through pregnancy without the painful symptoms of lower back pain. But there are other advantages as well. Having a pelvis that is in good alignment also allows the shape of the inner pelvis to be most optimal and gives the baby the opportunity to adopt the best position. Having baby in a good position has a big impact on the birthing experience. Dystocia (difficult labor) as defined by William’s Obstetrics, is caused by inadequate uterine function, pelvis misalignment and baby malposition. Preliminary research indicates that chiropractic adjustments using the Webster Technique may have a positive effect on birth outcomes by addressing these three causes of dystocia
Chiropractic – The Webster Certification
Webster certification, by the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA), is a process a chiropractor goes through to learn gentle adjusting techniques, individual case management systems and evidence-informed practice to best care for pregnant women. In addition to this, doctors are given an in-depth view of birth and are provided with the necessary skills and resources to support women who want safer natural births.
Dr. Laila Noll (Pearl District) and Dr Shannon Robertson (Lake Oswego) have undergone training and certification for Webster Technique. This technique includes a specific chiropractic pelvic analysis and accompanying adjustment. The goal of the adjustment is to reduce the effects of pelvic misalignment and to restore normal function and balance in the pelvis, which may help both baby and mom achieve a less difficult birth.
Acupuncture and Pregnancy
Acupuncture is a great line of defense against the discomforts of pregnancy. Chinese medicine believes there are two opposing forces in the body, Yin and Yang. These forces control the movement of Qi or energy throughout the different body systems. When these forces get out of balance we can develop symptoms. Acupuncture works by inserting thin needles into different meridian points along the body to redirect Qi. It has been clinically shown to improve symptoms during pregnancy including nausea, headaches, fatigue, lower back pain, swelling and also to prepare the body for childbirth.
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