Massages and Chiro

essacee

Hi

I have been a person who has pretty chronic back and hip pain for most of my life. I am wondering if anyone knows about do's or don'ts re: chiropractic care and does anyone know when you switch from just going for regular massages to going specifically for pregnancy massages.  i have been waking up with a numb right leg (the IT band is just tingling and numb) and last night I must have gone to move in my sleep and my leg was essentially paralyzed.  I woke up screaming from the pain and didn't have the muscle power to move it, my husband hand to massage it just for me to be able to move.

any advice would help.  i stretch and foam roll each night but it isn't seeming to help

CMDD

I'm not sure, but the only info I could find on massage during pregnancy was don't massage the ankle area in the end of the 3rd trim because that could bring on contractions. I'd say switch over to someone who does preg massages now because theyre the same price and those people have been trained to take care of your body. 

essacee

i will have to keep that in mind... i massage my ankles every day as well... :S I will definitely talk to my Doctor about it when i go again in a few weeks but I may need some body care before then.  the waking up with the paralyzed unmovable leg was a scary experience

thanks!  i will start calling around to see who specifically does massages during pregnancy

BostonBaby1

I think it's a good idea to do prenatal massage as soon as you find out your pregnant. Deep massage can release small amounts of toxins into the system (I'm told which is why you're meant to drink a lot of water afterwards.) so I'd start now if I were you. Also, Chiros can be great but just make certain that they regularly work with pregnancy. Feel better!

essacee

Thanks BostonBaby1!

tinydove

I've been going to the chiropractor since long before getting pregnant; haven't stopped going since. Just make sure you tell them you're pregnant. I know mine won't adjust my hips (which sucks because they're always misaligned and I have sciatica). But he uses some trigger thing, not sure what it's called. Adjusts the top of my back as normal. There are a lot of stretches that seem to help, and yoga. I Google for them and check on YouTube.

eb413

I've started getting cluster headaches since about week 10. My OB is on board with trying a chiropractor, acupuncture and massage, but she said she's sending me to a neurologist if they don't improve soon. So I'd say you should be fine with chiro and massage, just make sure they have experience with pregnant women.

BostonBaby1

essacee said:

Thanks BostonBaby1!

You are very welcome. Feel better mama!

BCIndychick

I have been going to a chiropractor for the last 2-3 years. I constantly have problems with my hips bones staying in alignment, neck, back, and hip pain. My chiropractor tells me it is perfectly safe to use his services during pregnancy. It helps with ligament/muscle pain. He stretched my Soas last week and I haven't had as much belly pain this week. My hips were falling asleep and the pressure during sleep was bad. While I still have to turn throughout the night I am not getting that numb feeling since he adjusted me. Just try it. I've read that it ultimately helps labor be easier when the time comes.

GardenMama116

I have seen a chiro for years. Went to a new one a couple weeks back that does maternal chiro...I actually don't like the way she adjusted and am considering not going back. I didn't get as much relief as usual and had some neck pain from where she was digging. My neighbor is a PT...stopped by to see him that afternoon for some recommendations on pelvic girdle stability exercises. He stronflgly cautioned against seeing the chiro when pregnant because of the instability in joints due to pregnancy. Not sure what I'll do...I never went regularly, just when I felt torqued up and needed adjustment.

Pregnancy massage, on the other hand, is wonderful! Can't wait till I go again.

redfallon

I've been going for years off and on. I went later on in pregnancy last time. I haven't been in a few months. I've heard that it's great to go to the chiropractor when pregnant. Most of them are also trained in prenatal, so you don't necessarily need someone that is a specialist or anything - if there is such a thing. With a massage, there are some that are specially trained in prenatal, and not all of them, so that's a little different. 

BCIndychick

Not to knock down health professionals, but traditional and western medicine practitioners are almost always at odds with each other. If you ask your primary care or physical therapy they will typically caution against alternative medicines. Alternative medicine practitioners always caution against taking medication if you don't absolutely need it or if there is a more "natural" option. Unless you seek out additional education in alternative practices they seem taboo. I can agree that not all chiropractors have the same gentle touch. Do what seems right for you.

ealiska

My chiropractor also has a degree in physical therapy and does some different manipulations and massage techniques that are especially helpful for neck and piriformis pain. Maybe see if you can find someone with the same credentials?
If it's a chronic problem I might just recommend PT -there will be some therapys they can do with you but it's a great way to manage pain without medicine!

msbrowntown11

Hi I am a LMT, Massage therapist. The best advice I can give you, is to stay away from massage for the most part in your first trimester... But that is your personal choice. Otherwise, you can recieve a massage from a certified PRENATAL massage therapist. Pregnant Woman can only get side lying prenatal techniches. As some massage techniques can cause problems with baby.

GardenMama116

I have seen a chiro for years. Went to a new one a couple weeks back that does maternal chiro...I actually don't like the way she adjusted and am considering not going back. I didn't get as much relief as usual and had some neck pain from where she was digging. My neighbor is a PT...stopped by to see him that afternoon for some recommendations on pelvic girdle stability exercises. He stronflgly cautioned against seeing the chiro when pregnant because of the instability in joints due to pregnancy. Not sure what I'll do...I never went regularly, just when I felt torqued up and needed adjustment.

Pregnancy massage, on the other hand, is wonderful! Can't wait till I go again.

Taylovesbrad

Got a massage this past weekend. It was awesome!

keallenrmt

I'm a registered massage therapist (Canadian) and am certified in prenatal massage. Look for someone with prenatal training in a massage therapist and in a chiropractor, there are techniques that are dangerous for pregnant women. There is no reason not to have massage in your first trimester as long as your therapist is properly trained. There are also pregnancy tables and pillows that will allow you to lie on your belly without harm, I strongly recommend finding someone with one or the other as it is way more comfortable and can allow the therapist to work more effectively on you. I did both massage and chirp treatments during my previous pregnancy and will be starting again soon with this one. Any other questions you can inbox me!

keallenrmt

Chiro* not chirp

MEMichelson

Hi there - I go to a chiropractor twice a week right now for lower back pain and hip pain. Apparently this little human is starting to make things shift out of place already! My chiro uses a drop table and pillows so my belly isn't hitting the table when being adjusted, she is also the only one in the office who is certified to adjust moms to be. I also have a massage therapist that works on moms to be she is AMAZING! I would make sure to do your homework and find someone who specializes in prenatal care this way you know they are going to be safe. GL!

Praying41

I have been going to a chiro since I found out I was pregnant. I used to go to her in the past for a couple years but then got really busy with work and school so I stopped. I can definitely tell a difference in how she adjusts me now vs how she used to adjust me before. My neck and upper spine she uses same techniques but my lower back she uses a tool that gently manipulates things back into place vs doing manual adjustments. I've noticed a huge difference in how often I get headaches and back pain since I started going. She still puts me on my belly for now but only because I'm still ok like that for short periods. She uses a special pillow once belly gets bigger.

I have not had a massage yet but have a gift card from DH so I'll be scheduling their mommy to be massage soon. As far as I've heard, it's best to avoid massage first trimester completely but after second trimester you can do a prenatal massage. No regular massages allowed. Don't know exactly why but I'd rather be safe than sorry.

AJo32

My OB told me it's perfectly fine to continue going to the chiro throughout pregnancy. As other ladies have mentioned, my chiro still adjusts my neck and upper back the same as he always has, but h uses a tool to realign my lower back now that I'm pregnant. He'll also come up to the hospital and adjust the baby for me when she's born and does free adjustments on babies until 6 months old!

alessalogan

My husband is a massage therapist he says it sounds like you have tight hips. You could focus on stretches to help that. He says the best thing you can do is start doing adaptive cold showers, cold water will relax the muscles.