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Are you pregnant and wondering if you may benefit from chiropractic or acupuncture? Read about the evidence!
This article was published in the Pulse Magazine by Dr. Jonathan Grendelmeier (Chiropractor and Acupuncturist in Milton Keynes)
Many Chiropractors and Acupuncturists regard care during pregnancy as one of the most vital parts of chiropractic practice because it is during the time that many potential traumas that afflict the newborn can be ameliorated even if there is as yet little hard evidence to support this.
I have been treating pregnant women since 2004. My first patient was a lady who had suffered a whiplash accident and who was interested in Craniosacral therapy. Having just done my cranial training I was keen to help and saw what difference this made to her and her pregnancy. This was her second birth and she remarked how much better she had been during her pregnancy and with her birth due to the cranial despite having suffered a whiplash injury. I have lost count of the other cases that I have seen but would estimate that it would be close to a hundred.
One of the main complaints that is seen in pregnancy is low backpain but there are often other complaints such as groin pain, acid reflux, morning sickness, pubic bone pain, tight muscles tiredness and fatigue and carpal tunnel syndrome and headaches or overdue pregnancies.
Top Tips in Pregnancy
- Have your blood pressure monitored regularly by your GP and midwife.
- Use Cat stretches and other Yoga movements to stay relaxed which will help you and your foetus.
- Take a good supplement preferably with added Omega 3 oil.
- Make sure you discuss your exercise and seating habits with your chiropractor.
I often seek the permission of the midwife who is in charge of the patient to make sure that she is happy with my treatment and they are quite supportive. An American study found that 11% of midwives will refer their patients for alternative treatment such as chiropractic, acupuncture, hypnotherapy and herbal treatment.
Having specialised in the cranial chiropractic treatment and acupuncture since 2004 has been very useful as it allows a gentle realignment of the pelvis and spine.
Acupuncture is especially effective for morning sickness and has been shown to help with breech presentation or birth induction. Indeed, a Swedish study found that up to 80% of foetuses could be turned into normal presentation with acupuncture. There have been a number of studies that have shown that Acupuncture is very effective in pregnancy and labour.
Chiropractors use a special Webster Protocol technique to help with breech but it must be emphasised that the research for this is not plentiful even if it is extremely useful in practice. There is no doubt that it is very gentle compared with other treatments as it consists of light touch and re-alignment.
Sciatica is a common complaint in Pregnancy and is resolved in 90% of cases in pregnancy.
Jonathan Grendelmeier Doctor of Chiropractic, BSc(Hons), MSc, DC, PG cert acu, PG Dip Western Medical Acupuncture Member of the Scottish Chiropractic Association. Accredited Member of the British Medical Acupuncture Society. Member of the International Chiropractic Paediatric Association. Member of the British Chiropractic Sports Council.