Chiropractor

cabu14

Hi Everyone!  I did a search for this but I didn't find exactly what I was looking for.  

So here is my question/concern.  I have been seeing a chiropractor since before I got pregnant for back issues I have been dealing with since last November.  I have heard that Pregnant women are always OK to go see one so I didn't even really think about mentioning it to my OB but then realized - um I probably should.   

When I did she said it's OK but that he should not be doing any rapid adjustments/cracking.  I asked what else he would do and she said stretching.  ?? That seems crazy to me. I have lower and upper back issues.  He definitely has cracked my upper back/neck. He does not crack my lower back any more but instead pushes on either side of my hips. I have an appt. today at 10am so I plan on talking to him about it too but now I'm nervous to even go.  

Have any of you been seeing a chiropractor?  Have you had cracking?  I can't imagine just stretching would make me feel better but maybe I'm crazy.


Thanks!!

mommywesley

That's odd, I've never heard them say to not Crack. I visited a chiropractor with my last 3 pregnancies, and had cracking each time. Nothing rough. It was the only way I could live with my hip pain. I would just be sure your chiropractor is familiar with maternity patients. 

cabu14

She said it was because during pregnancy there are chemicals flowing to relax all of our joints and everything to get ready for child birth.  So everything is loose.  She compared it to a dislocated shoulder that once it's dislocated once, it is easily dislocated again and again under stress (pulling on the arm etc.).  She said this can be the same situation with your discs because you are putting stress on them while cracking, you can cause permanent looseness.  Obviously she probably used better more intelligent terms than my summary of her reasoning. 

eta.. @mommywesley he is not a pregnancy specialist but he seems to know what he is talking about.. and moves the part of the table where my belly is so I'm not lying flat on my belly.  I haven't been concerned until now.  

He even said that when time comes closer there are chiropractor things that can help get the baby facing down... in my head I'm thinking -- OK but you will not be helping with that...

jsl82

I have been talking about going for over  week now, but haven't found a chiropractor yet.  I have existing back pain that has gotten worse with pregnancy.  My ob said it was fine to go after the 1st trimester. 

Her reasoning behind not cracking sounds like it is for you and nothing is endangering the fetus, so I would talk to your chiropractor about it.  He should be more of the expert on what can and cannot be safely done than your OB- just like your OB would be better at answering anything about child birth. 

mommywesley

I ended up going about every 1-2 weeks at the end of my pregnancy for pelvic adjustments, if your pelvis is properly aligned it encourages baby to get into the correct position for birth. I had done a lot of research with baby #2 because I wanted a VBAC and getting a chiropractor was a huge thing I kept reading. 

If your current chiropractor doesn't do many maternity patients, I personally would find one that is familiar with that. My chiropractor specialized in maternity and newborns, she was also a doula for many years, so I felt very comfortable with her. 

I also agree that it sounds like the concern your OB is voicing is for you vs baby. 

kashock-2

@cabu14 I saw a chiropractor towards the end of my last pregnancy to help turn our breech baby. What he's referring to is called Webster Technique and it helps align the pelvis and reduce stress on the round ligaments so in theory the baby has more space to turn into proper position for delivery, it's all external. I can only image what you must have thought when your chiro said he could help get the baby in position if he didn't explain it! He will not go THERE!

lindsladle15

I love my chiro and I agree with PP about finding someone with maternity/baby experience.  My chiropractor uses (when my belly and boobs get big) a special foam piece that he lays on the table with boob and belly cutouts.
I'm not saying this is the case with your OB, but I think sometimes MD doctors discount chiropractors and what they do as "not real doctors."
Also, fwiw, I have had both of my DD's adjusted regularly since they were a couple days old!  There are so many benefits to newborn/child chiro care.

cabu14

Thanks guys!! He does not specialize but I really like him.. maybe I should just cut ties anyway and go to one that is.  @lindsladle15  thats pretty much what he said - that a lot of MDs don't necessarily understand it.  He also said that he actually had to take way more anatomy classes even.  I went today as normal and it just feels right for me.  One of the ladies that works that was even telling me all about how going regularly will benefit me during delivery... so I just found it odd what the OB was saying.  

@KAShock exactly!! Thanks!  I remember just thinking.. omg did this just turn into an OBGYN appointment hahahaha

sarahmsoda

My OB is also my family doctor and she has always been strongly against Chiro, even when I fractured my back, but I started going a few years ago when husband encouraged me to because it had worked for him. I think different doctors have different opinions on Chiro but I would trust your Chiropractor to know what is best for you. Here in Canada Chiropractors are actually considered doctors and have all the same regulations but also referring rights as a doctor. 

Knottie1443924966

@cabu14 about 6 weeks ago I started having lower back pain and began reading about pelvic alignment. I thought.. let's hit two birds with one stone. So I researched Prenatal Chiropractors on Google maps. 

I went to go visit one (male) and after interviewing him I felt like he had enough experience to work on pregnant women. He claimed many of his patients are pregnant and he also works on newborns.

But he didn't have any of the pregnancy equipment. Once he started working on my pelvic alignment and massages he had to work on areas like my glutes and front plvic area. I suppose because he was male I felt very uncomfortable since he was massaging my butt for 15 min.

At my pregnancy yoga studio they have a chiropractor  (female) and it's like night and day. She has had two children of her own and ONLY works on patients who are pregnant. She massages me for 50minutes with a quick adjustment at the end. The massaging is intense and deep. Sometimes I feel like she is moving my muscles. And she knows WAY more about the pregnant body, alignment and adjustment then the other doctor. And I feel awesome when I'm out. And the plus is she tells me about holistic habits the have just pregnancy that the other doctor would not have had.

So don't settle on a doctor bc they are all different.

Kurtni

@Knottie1443924966 EVERY chiropractor I called "specialized" in pregnant woman. Which is exactly what my OB warned me about. May I ask what pregnancy equipment you're referring to, or some questions I could ask to try to avoid someone overstating their experience? I've never been to a chiro before but the pain I'm having in my hips is so much worse this pregnancy I want to try something to help. 

Salliejabl

I have seen my chiropractor twice so far in this pregnancy.  I've been seeing him for over 12 years and he is well respected in the community.  He makes sure to use the pillows with the cutouts for my belly and breasts on the table.  I was hit by a car over 12 years ago which is when I went to see him because no back doctor could determine what was wrong with my back.  With the previous issues I have, he does acupuncture along with adjusting my back.  He can't use electrostim with the acupuncture because I am pregnant but he can still do the acupuncture in the points that are causing me issues.  My last visit, I ended up pulling a muscle and my right hip was sitting higher than my left hip.  Once he corrected that, I have felt so much better.

As others have said, make sure you feel comfortable with his expertise and knowledge.  If not sure, it doesn't hurt to see someone else for a second opinion.

JennaLee1486

I've gone to a chiro both times I've been pregnant. The first time the chiro I went to specialized in pregnancy. This time the chiro I'm going to works on pregnant women but doesn't claim to specialize. She's actually much better than the other guy who was supposed to be great. You need to go to a chiro you're comfortable with. If he's respectful and listens to your wishes I see no reason to not stick with him. 

cabu14

Thanks guys!! So it sounds like the "no cracking rule" hasn't really been heard of!  I feel a lot better after talking with him.   

The tables he has have a center part that pushes in to make space for my growing tummy.  

MrsDrKirkpatrick

*Lurker from Feb 17*
DH is a chiropractor and he has always said that you do have to be more careful when adjusting pregnant women because of their looser joints. Ask your chiropractor if he knows Webster technique, that is universally known to be the technique to use in expecting women, and it's safe for your joints. I've never heard of the no cracking rule, but they are taught in school how to adjust pregnant women so I would say you're  safe. Plus there was a study that came out a few years ago that suggested regular chiropractic reduces labor times by 40%, so I'm all about that! 

cabu14

@MrsDrKirkpatrick  Yes! That is fantastic news!! They told me that if I continue to come in on a regular basis I will likely have an easier delivery than if I didn't!  

Wholesome

I have a bad back. I've had herniated discs and have back pain frequently because of my boobs.  One of these days I'm going to get them reduced!

i recommend seeing a person who does both chiropractic care as well as physical therapy.  I've never had better pain management since I made that switch when I was pregnant last time.  I go about every two weeks even when prego for maintenance (I tend to have issues from working out so much and not stretching adequately); I go more frequently if I he says I need it.  He seldom does adjustments on me but mainly does massage therapy and teaches me new post-workout stretches as needed.

You do need to tell them because they will make little changes to their approach as needed.

Wholesome

I do think it's funny.  Most doctors roll their eyes at chiropractors. Most every physical therapist thinks they are quacks that shouldn't be called doctors.  I've found the best to be a physical therapist and chiropractor - he says he took a lot of flack from other physical therapists when training because of his chiro background.  Chiros think adjusting the bones fixes muscle issues, physical therapists thinks adjusting the muscles fixes bone alignment issues - from my experience, I believe the best is when the person knows both worlds and can approach everything from both angles in one session.

Teach123

I had some back issues a couple of years ago. They've been much better since multiple sessions over about 3 months with a chiropractor. I found that mine mostly seemed to work on my muscles which were pulling things out of place. I haven't gone back, but may need to if I start hurting again. 

AlabamaRedhead

I've used a chiro for years, but just swapped to one who is the only preggo trained one in our area. She was super and I delighted in hearing the pops, which equaled relief!. I highly suggest the visits, along with some prenatal massage sessions. I used the massage in my 1st pregnancy and it made a huge difference in comfort/swelling. 

Carly79

I am visiting a chiropractor for the first time ever tomorrow. She is certified in the Webster technique which excites me. Not only am I having a lot of hip pain and get a weird tingling/sleep feeling in my left thigh, but my first was in the uterus kind of crooked and after pushing for 3.5 hours required a vacuum assist for delivery. I've done a lot of research on the Webster technique and sounds like it really helps with positioning so I'm hoping that in addition to some pain relief that it also helps when it comes to delivery. She also is trained in pediatric chiropractic care and I've done some reading and looks like there is some evidence that chiropractic care can help with sleeping so I figured I'd check it out, see what I think and then we can make the determination whether or not we take our son. I've always had very mixed opinions on chiropractic care but am willing to give it a try.

ETA - My yoga practice also helps with opening up the pelvic area and such so between the two hopefully we are on track.

Wholesome

I've had sciatic issues in the past and horrible hip pain.  My PT says it's my  Piriformis muscles.  He does painful massages on them (I lay on my side and he uses his elbows on my hips When prego, rubs butt muscles when I can lay flat on my belly) and I have stretches to do to make them hardly ever give me troubles anymore.  I wonder if you're similar?

MayaVill

I use to see one for back and neck pain but my OB won't write me a medical clearance to see one while I'm pregnant and of course nobody will see me without it. Last time he just put me on bed rest for a week when I couldn't move..

Knottie1443924966

@Kurtni Hey sorry for the late reply. The chiropractor I use only works on pregnant women as she is located in a prenatal Yoga studio. So she truly specializes in pregnancy chiropractic care because thats all she does

The first chiro I went to said he specialized in pregnant women but it's really a night and day experience between the two doctors as far as their technique and knowledge.

She has a foam piece with a hooded out carving for my breasts and belly and her table adjusts so I'm never losing flat on my back it's always tilted on an angle. She also has all these special pillows and uses organic oils and rubs when she massages me.

Carly79

@MayaVill I didn't run in to that at all. A lot of the chiropractors in town, especially those that are either trained in the Webster Technique or truly do specialize in prenatal chiropractic care, aren't going to require an OB medical clearance because they probably aren't going to get it. Perhaps your situation is different but I wonder if you tried looking at this site https://icpa4kids.com/about/webster_technique.htm and searching for a Webster certified doctor in your area and see if they will practice without a medical clearance.

Carly79

For those that have seen chiropractors before, did you feel sore the first time you were ever adjusted. I had my first adjustment yesterday and the chiropractor told me I would probably be sore since I'd never been adjusted before but sore is the understatement of the decade. I could barely pick up my son because I was so sore. I slept really well once I fell asleep but falling asleep and getting comfortable was terrible. I'm trying to do some extra hydrating this morning and will be going for a walk over lunch but so far this is not worth it. I wasn't in much pain before my appointment. Part of what drew me to the chiropractor is the opening of the pelvic area to make room and the Webster technique to assist with positioning because we had a complicated delivery with my first (he was kind of crooked in there). The hopeful easing of some of my random aches and pains was a perk.

AlabamaRedhead

I've never been in severe pain after any chiro treatment. Call them back and tell them. 

lindsladle15

I've never had severe pain, but it is definitely normal to be sore.  I suppose depending on what you had done, it wouldn't be unreasonable to be feeling like that, but I'd just drink a lot of water and call if you aren't feeling better today.

Wholesome

YES.  With a very bad back and super adjusting done during my first appointment, I remember being INCREDIBLY sore and having the same feelings you did.

cabu14

Yes I felt sore for sure!! And he warned me I would.  But then I felt great after!  I only feel sore now if he does something different. 

Carly79

@Wholesome that is great to hear that I'm not alone. I wasn't really in much pain prior to going in but she was focusing a lot on my sacrum and mentioned that the left side was very rotated so I know she did some major adjusting. On the plus side, since my adjustment, I haven't had any of the tingling/numbness in my leg that I was having before I've talked to her today, I'm doing a lot of walking to keep my pelvis moving and probably going to check back in with her this afternoon before the weekend.