Pregnancy and Chiropractic
Numerous articles and reports have been in the press recently
on chiropractic care for pregnant women. One such news story appeared
April 16, 2003 on the NBC TV affiliate from Providence, Rhode
Island. The news report by Health Check 10 Reporter Barbara Morse,
started by featuring one woman Lee Ann, who recalled having severe
pain during her pregnancy by saying, "Pelvic pain, mostly
the bone. It felt like something was digging in to my bone. The
doctors told me there was nothing they could do."
Lee Ann then learned that chiropractic care was available at the
medical facility, Women and Infants' Hospital. At this facility,
she sought the services of Dr. Ron Tyszkowski, a chiropractor
at Women and Infants' Hospital. "Chiropractic is an option
for them and the doctors that are on staff at Women and Infants'
use specific safe techniques for pregnant women that are gentle,
natural and do a really effective job of controlling those symptoms,"
Dr. Tyszkowski said.
The story also highlighted another chiropractic success story
of a woman named Lucia. She recalled, "Where I was living
during the pregnancy, I had two flights of stairs I had to go
up all the time. It got to the point I could barely carry my son
up the stairs." She described the outcome of the chiropractic
care by saying, "I probably couldn't have gotten through
it without it."
On their website, www.icpa4kids.com, the International Chiropractic
Pediatric Association (ICPA) has many articles on chiropractic
care during pregnancy. The articles state that a growing number
of pregnant women are turning to holistic therapies, including
chiropractic. Researchers at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
pooled data on 463 women who had recently given birth. In total,
31.3% of subjects used at least one type of complementary care
during their pregnancies. Specifically, 5.2% visited a chiropractor;
2.8% had acupuncture or acupressure and 2.8% took vitamin supplements.
5.8% tried alternative techniques (biofeedback, meditation, yoga,
tai chi, mental healing, imagery, Reiki, therapeutic touch, dance,
reflex, art and aroma therapies); 24.2% used natural therapies
(teas, herbs, oils and foods used for medicinal purposes). According
to another study reported on the ICPA website, 82 certified nurse-midwives
in North Carolina were surveyed about chiropractic care. The results
showed that 57.3% of midwives participating in this survey recommending
chiropractic to their patients.
ICPA Board member, Dr. Jeanne Ohm, sums up the benefits by saying,
"Chiropractic care is essential for the pregnant mother.
Her systems and organs are now providing for two and their optimal
function is critical for the baby's healthy development. The mother's
spine and pelvis undergoes many changes and adaptations to compensate
for the growing baby and the risk of interference to her nervous
system is increased. Specific chiropractic care throughout pregnancy
works with enhancing nervous system function providing greater
health potential for both the mother and baby."
First Alternative Chiropractic®
December 22, 2005
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