Who here goes to the chiropractor?

dmbin08

My doctor mentioned this to me at my last appointment, I've never been to one before, and I was hoping to be able to tough out the pain in my back, but it's getting to the point now where I really can't anymore...Who recommends going to a chiro? What exactly do they do to you? thanks!

Brittni Rimmer

I'm going to go to one in a couple of weeks. I need my back adjusted really badly!

jdn2009

I haven't been to a chiropractor since I've been pregnant altough my chiro does see pregos.  It just makes me nervous to be adjusted.  It probably would help my lower back and hip pain though.

JulieK08

i go once a week! just make sure you see someone who is versed in seeing pregnant women!

sunnydays99

I've been going to a chiropractor since an accident 8 years ago.  Since becoming pg I've been going once every 2 or 3 weeks and LOVE it!!  He does hip adjustments for me which are great and my regular back and neck adjustments.  I haven't had any back pain since becoming pg and I definitely attribute this to my chiropractor.

dmbin08

It makes me really nervous too, it's a last resort for me, but I'm starting to think that I might have to just do it.

kwal

I have been going to a chiropractor for three years off and on. Upon your initial visit he/she will make an assessment of your treatment. Mine includes different types of adjustments over several weeks as well as stretching exercise to do at home. I have seen my chiropractor about 4 times since I have been pregnant. He is great! He has been giving me special stretches to do to help my ligaments and body get ready for the  relaxin hormone and ultimately labor. I wouldn't tough out the back pain. I empathize with how painful it can be. Mine can be debilitating! Ask around and get a good recommendation and make sure to let them know your are pregnant!

HTH!

MrsStu

I do and I love it. Last year I was going once a week and it was fabulous. We cut down to once a month to save some moola, but I think I'm going to start going every two weeks soon because my sciatica is acting up again.

It depends on the doctor in regards to what they do. It also depends on your body. My chiro feels for tight spots in my back and neck, and will massage them for awhile trying to get them to loosen up before she adjusts me. Every time I go I get my neck and back adjusted. Sometimes it takes 2 or 3 adjustments to get my back, sometimes a few more. There are some other things that she will do occasionally to help stretch me/loosen me up, but I don't remember what they are called 

GBucksHollysMOM

I do! I was going for a specific problem with my neck but I am going to continue to go through my pregnancy.

jkfranklin

PP seem to be concerned about the safety of going to a chiropractor while pg.  Make sure your chiropractor is versed in treating pg women.  I see mine every other week.  Since I've gotten pregnant she has changed the way she adjusts me just slightly.  She doesn't use the drop table for my lower back and only uses the 'punch' to adjust that part.  I have been going to her since I started working at a computer all day and I love it!

Also, my chiropractor told me that women who have regular adjustments during pregnancy have shorter labors. 

Taylor44

I do.  I started going when I was pg with #1.  Now that I am pg with #2, I go about every two weeks.  The adjustments are personalized based on the location of your pain.  The table is adjustable to allow for your belly.  I recommend it.  My chiro also does adjustments that were to help with digestion and morning sickness.

MrsHK

I do and I swear by him. When I was pregnant with DS I found out I have a really bad SI joint. Made walking nearly unbearable and I ended up on modified bedrest and walking with a cane when I was on my feet. My dr said she had the same problem when she was pregnant and that's why she stopped at 1 baby. She said nothing can really help alleviate it until the baby is born and each time it'll come back worse. 

That's when I started seeing my chiro, who specializes in families, pregnant women and small children. I was back on my feet feeling fantastic in two weeks. He also came to the hospital when DS was born and gave him his first adjustment at less then 24 hours old. He did wonders for DS as well, who had a slight torticulous(sp?) until about 3mo.

barefootbride2008

I started going when I threw my neck out at the beginning of my pregnancy and I've gone regularly throughout.  It has been a HUGE help and I highly, highly recommend going.  My OB recommended my chiro, so I knew she regularly worked with pg women.

She mostly uses heat, herbal creams, this clicky thing (NO idea what it is called, but she kind of clicks it on either side of my spine to adjust me) and will do the thing where she turns my head to crack my neck (which sounds scarier than it is - I told her I was terrified of that and she didn't do it the first few times I went until I got more comfortable with everything).  When I've had severe pain, she's also used ultrasound to help get out the knots. 

I would ask your doctor/ MW for recs and make sure you are comfortable, of course, but I definitely have been won over!

dmbin08

Thank you all for your responses! You've made me feel a lot better about going. I should have asked my doctor if I have to have some kind of referral from her or something before I go ahead and make the appointment. Thanks again! I will definitely be trying it out. Something has got to give!

AFwife1106

I just got back from seeing  DO that my OBGYN referred me too.. (Doctor of Osteopathy)

He adjusted my neck like a chiro and did a lot of other manipulation stuff that wasn't a traditional adjustment.  I feel 100 times better and it was my first time seeing him.  He sees a decent amount of pregnant women, so I agree with pp about making sure they are comfortable/knowledgeable with pregnancy.

If your insurance doesn't cover a chiro, it might cover a DO which could be an option. 

ickasticka

Call and make an appointment RIGHT NOW!  They are miracle workers really!  They'll do a full neurological exam and talk to you about your symptoms at your first visit, then you may get some therapy (heat, TENS unit, etc.), and then you'll get an adjustment.  It doesn't hurt at all.  It just puts all your bones and joints back into their proper alignment.  I go every two weeks and it has fixed the sciatic nerve pain I was having and it helps tremendously with the lower back pain.  Most insurance plans will cover it too.  I highly recommend it, but just make sure that the doctor you choose is familiar with treating pregnant women!

oregontechmom

I LOVE my chiropractor.  LOVE HIM.  I go once a week and get prenatal massages twice a month.  (No, I'm not anywhere close to rich...since the massage therapist works in the office with the chiropractor, she is covered by my medical insurance too.)  I would die if I didn't see my chiropractor regularly.   I have been seeing him for about a year now and he specializes in prenatal and pediatric care so I ended up being really fortunate, despite the fact that I wasn't pregnant when I first started seeing him. 

 Adjustments take about 15 minutes max.  He has me lay on my stomach, using the cutout pillow (since it's for a short period of time, there aren't the same concerns as having a massage on the same pillow)  and adjusts my spine and checks my feet and hip alignment.  Then I turn on my back and he adjusts my neck.  Also, I have carpal tunnel issues, so he adjusts my wrists each week to alleviate that pain. 

 I really REALLY recommend chiropractic to anyone, but particularly to pregnant women.  It can make your labor easier.  If your chiro is trained in birthing methods, such as Bradley, they can help even to turn the baby right side down if he/she is breech before birth (my chiro told me this, I thought it was weird too).  Also, being in alignment makes things work easier because your nerves aren't being pinched and can communicate with eachother better and your hips are in alignment.  All this, in addition to relieving pain...yes, please!

 Whew...all done, I promise =P