Pregnancy Chiropractic

Our office has a doctor, Dr. Lisa Przybysz, who has special training in maternity and postpartum care.  Regular chiropractic care is an important integral part of prenatal and postpartum care. Pregnancy is a time of change for you and your body.

Pregnant woman touching bellyChiropractic care aids in the process by which your body adapts to these new and complex changes. Your nervous system controls all functions in your body including the process by which your unborn baby develops and your body changes. Freedom from any type of interference to your nervous system is vital for the development and support of a healthy baby and mother.

A mother’s weight gain during pregnancy averages around 30-40 lbs. Pre-existing unnoticed imbalances in your spine and pelvis become overtaxed during these times. The added stresses lead to discomfort and difficulty while performing routine, daily activities. These postural imbalances in turn affect nerves, muscles, and the mobility of joints.

Studies show that about 50% of all pregnant women experience low back pain during their pregnancy. Other issues that women experience, often for the first time, include but is not limited to: headaches, sinus congestion, nausea (morning sickness), and rib pain.  Chiropractic care can enable a woman’s body to more easily adapt to these changes and in many cases ease all of these discomforts.

Our Techniques

Chiropractic care is tailored to the ever changing pregnant woman. We use techniques and adjusting tables that were specifically designed and developed for pregnancy. Both doctors in our office are certified in the Webster technique.

The Webster technique is a specific chiropractic analysis and diversified adjustment. The goal of the adjustment is to reduce the effects of subluxation and/or SI joint dysfunction. In so doing neurobiomechanical function in the sacral/pelvic region is improved.  Simply put, this technique reduces nervous system stress, balances pelvic bones, muscles & ligaments, and optimizes the mother’s pelvic function in pregnancy and birth.

Receiving chiropractic adjustments during your pregnancy may help ensure that the expectant mother’s pelvic bones, muscles and ligaments are balanced, often times facilitating a quicker, easier delivery. In one study, women receiving chiropractic care through their first pregnancy had 24% shorter labor times than the group not receiving chiropractic care. The alignment of your spine and pelvis play a key role in the comfort and the ease of your pregnancy and delivery, respectively. Many times chiropractic care can help a woman avoid an unnecessary C-section due to a breech baby position. Also the need for medical intervention during labor greatly decreases in women who have had pre-natal chiropractic care.

Whether you are looking for ways to support your nervous system and optimize health during pregnancy, or experiencing any low back pain, pubic symphysis dysfunction, or learn that your baby is breech, posterior or transverse, please consider chiropractic care. Come see us today, we can help. It is important to realize that the position affects the baby’s spine as well. Alterations to optimal position put stress and strain on the babies developing spine as well.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is prenatal chiropractic care?

Prenatal chiropractic care focuses on supporting the body during pregnancy by improving joint mobility, reducing tension, optimizing pelvic balance, and helping the nervous system function efficiently throughout pregnancy.

When should I start seeing the chiropractor during my pregnancy?

As soon as possible! Each stage of pregnancy (including pre-conception!) can add new stressors, challenges and hurdles to jump over. Chiropractic care during each stage can help support your body through many things, but not limited to:

  • Decreasing nausea, fatigue and insomnia
  • Managing and supporting your spine and pelvis for the growing baby
  • Minimizing round ligament, hip, and lower back pain.
  • Maximizing mobility and and preparation for labor

Is Chiropractic care safe during pregnancy?

For most healthy pregnancies, chiropractic care is generally considered safe when performed by a chiropractor trained in prenatal techniques. Special tables, pillows, and positioning are used to keep mom comfortable and avoid pressure on the abdomen.

Do Chiropractors Turn Breech babies?

No Chiropractors do not manually ”turn” breech babies. The Webster Technique is a specific chiropractic analysis and adjustment used during pregnancy to support pelvic balance and healthy nervous system function. When the pelvis is balanced and surrounding muscles and ligaments have less tension, it may create more space for baby to move and position naturally.Our role is to support the mother’s biomechanics and nervous system — not to directly manipulate fetal position.

If a baby remains breech, we encourage open communication with your OB or midwife to discuss appropriate medical options. Chiropractic care is considered a complementary approach and works best as part of a collaborative care team.

Do you treat postpartum patients too?

Yes. Postpartum chiropractic care may help with:

  • Recovery after delivery
  • Neck and shoulder tension from feeding/holding baby
  • Pelvic and low back discomfort
  • Core/postural strain
  • Return-to-exercise support

Schedule an Appointment

This is a wonderful, easy, and gentle way to help your body cope with all of this change, keep you feeling good, and allow you to carry and deliver your baby with more ease and comfort.

Call our Fairfax chiropractic office and ask for Dr. Lisa today!
CONTACT US »

Pregnancy Chiropractic Fairfax VA | (703) 273-7733