How can I care for my spine during pregnancy?

Half of mums out there will report having experienced back and hip pain at some point during their pregnancy, the pelvis is the main culprit for many pregnant women.With the changes that take place during pregnancy, it isn't any wonder why over half of all women have been affected. Lets look a little closer at those changes so we can understand how we can minimise those stresses.Firstly, we have that big shift in your body position, where you are beginning to lean and gravity starts to take over, that’s mostly to do with you carrying your baby and your uterus enlarging. As your posture changes – your pelvic and uterine ligaments stretch and place large amounts of stress on the pelvic bones, sometimes causing them to misalign.Secondly, you will have an increase in stretchiness of those supportive tissues; this is due to chemical hormones, one in particular, by the name of relaxin.Thirdly, your pelvis is actually four separate joints, so because they all have the ability to move, they all have the ability to move in the wrong position (subluxation) and as the relaxin hormones increase the movement, it makes it loose and lax.Each of these factors ultimately affects the structure and alignment of your hips and spine and in turn the way your brain sends and receives vital information from your body, that otherwise would normally give you that much needed support and protect your pelvis when your working out. Having pain during your pregnancy can be a blessing in a disguise though, as it can really help us address any old injury or spinal weakness. More and more mums are looking for ways to solve problems rather than just mask them.

1. Do you regularly wake up with pain in the front or back of your hips, butt, thighs, groin or lower back?
2. Are you having a lot of pain and difficulty getting up from a lying position, particularly first thing in the morning?
3. When you go to stand up, is it painful?
4. When you're moving and walking, are you finding it difficult and just want to lie down?
5. When you're doing exercise are you feeling pain in the front or back of your hips, butt, thighs, groin or lower back?
6. Do you feel a sharp pain when you're turning or bending, you may feel this when you're getting on with your daily home activities?
7. Does it get better and you feel more able when you push your hands on the sides of your hips?

If a couple of the above apply to you then it’s likely that you may be experiencing some problems with your pelvic girdle. In any one of those four joints mentioned above.Gentle spine and pelvic adjustments Three main ways a Chiropractor may help you when you are pregnant:

1. Using chiropractic (SOT) blocks which are like wedges we slip under your pelvis while lying supine and gravity unwinds and brings closer your pelvic bones
2. Gentle spinal manipulation - sometimes there is a blockage in the spine or pelvis which needs a gentle nudge to release the build up of pressure
3. Ligament and soft issue release techniques

Results - have a look at how we helped AnnaWhat about pelvic belts?These are just one of the many gentle natural tools we have to help restore normal function to the pregnant women. Give yourself a helping hand putting a belt (this can just be a clothes belt) where your hips are the widest and simply tighten in so that your hips feel more supported. This should take some stress of your hips and help you move easier.Remember though if the problem persists, it’s important you take it seriously because it can lead to becoming a chronic pain, which means the brain gets involved and starts sending the wrong signals making it that much harder to correct. Be kind to yourself and listen to your body when it’s trying to tell you something.By Dr. Joshua Smith - Tooting Chiropractic Centre