How Do Obstetric Physicians and Chiropractors Work Together?

Low back pain and pregnancy seem to go hand in hand.  Studies have shown that up to 80% of pregnant women experience low back pain. However, common does not mean normal, nor should it be considered untreatable. Such pain shouldn’t have to be endured. Chiropractic is an effective treatment providing relief from low back pain during pregnancy. However, just because it is common does not mean that it should be viewed as normal or untreatable. There is effective treatment and relief for low back pain during pregnancy. 

There are many different reasons for back pain during pregnancy. 

• Weight gain adds stress to the joints
• Hormonal changes causes joint laxity decreasing support for the joints
• Center of gravity changes and muscles try to compensate for this change

These things lead to muscular imbalances, increased muscle fatigue, and abnormal strain on the lower back. 

A pregnant woman cannot use standard approaches to reduce pain such as medication or surgery due to side effects on their unborn child. Some medical doctors will suggest stretching and hot baths. Although this may relieve the pain temporarily, over the long term, back pain will persist. If a medical doctor isn’t aware of the benefits of chiropractic, a pregnant woman may decide to do nothing to treat the problem and suffer with the pains until the baby is born.

Many obstetric physicians and midwives are increasingly using chiropractic for their patients for low back pain relief. In conjunction with traditional medical care chiropractic has been found to decrease pregnancy pains, decrease labor times, improve the quality of life while pregnant, and decrease the risk of serious complications overall.