Dystocia and how chiropractic can help.
Chiropractic is a very misunderstood profession. Many chiropractors themselves don’t fully understand how they influence a patient when rendering care. This article is more formal than my regular writing to reach an audience that appreciates more in-depth technical explanations.
What is a chiropractic adjustment?
It is the golden misunderstood-by-most question. The purpose of an adjustment is not to provide treatment, cure a disease, take away back pain, or “fix” any problems. Often, other chiropractors will claim that the adjustment is responsible for those things, which is untrue. Chiropractic is a unique and effective form of health care that switches the focus from treatment to optimal function. We are specifically trained to find subtle yet damaging shifts in the spine that cause interference with how well the nervous system can function. These shifts cause a cascade of issues. First, dyskinesia (improper motion) in the spine leads to dysafferentation (abnormal afferent input to the brain) and dysponesis (abnormal increase in nociceptive afferent input to the brain). When this happens, it triggers a stress response in the body (dysautonomia) and causes sympathetic dominance. When our body is in a chronic sympathetic state, it thinks it’s always under attack. Not a good place to be.
Chiropractic is the only profession in the world trained to find the source of this cascade (known as subluxation), measure the severity through neurologic scanning technology, and remove it with consistent adjustments to the spine.
When an adjustment is delivered, it reverses the cascade listed above, producing a calming response in the autonomic nervous system. When the body is in a state of ease rather than feeling like it is under attack, it is easy to see how our health will begin to improve.
Notice how nothing in this section is about back pain? Even though almost all of our patients report dramatic decreases in pain symptoms over time, the goal of our care is always objective nervous system function rather than symptom relief.
How do chiropractors help during pregnancy?
It can be very helpful for a woman who wants to become or is pregnant to see a chiropractor. If you make that choice, seeing a specially trained prenatal chiropractor who focuses on this demographic should be the standard. The needs of expectant moms are very different from those of other patients. It is a fascinating and often overwhelming time for a new mom, and she usually has fears or concerns that she must address appropriately. A pregnant mom also has very different requirements regarding adjusting techniques and support. The prenatal chiropractor uses special pillows and tables to support a growing belly. There must be no torsion or twisting of the pelvis. It can create too much pressure on the abdomen, strain the pelvic floor, and strain the pelvis. The gold standard of chiropractic care during pregnancy is known as the Webster Technique. It is a very gentle and effective technique designed to balance the pelvis and create an optimal birth environment. Pregnant women should only be seen by chiropractors who are certified and highly proficient in providing this technique.
Power
Chiropractic care has never been about back pain. It has everything to do with the nervous system. This powerful system is the master controller of your body. If that system isn’t working at 100%, it can cause many health problems. This system is vital in pregnancy. Chiropractic care helps a pregnant mom’s nervous system function optimally. When the nervous system regulates hormones and the uterus efficiently, it allows for more contraction strength and a higher chance of natural delivery. Since power is the first primary cause of dystocia, a properly functioning nervous system will help uterine contractions to be strong and coordinated, thus increasing labor outcomes.
Another critical aspect of chiropractic care for pregnant moms that facilitates proper power during delivery is the balance between the fight/flight response (sympathetic) and the rest/recovery response (parasympathetic). When a mom is stressed, it stimulates the sympathetic nerves, and this slows labor. Stress can come in many forms, but the one we can impact the most is specific nerves that will help to stimulate the parasympathetic nerves. Our gentle adjustments aim to reduce this stress. It will allow the natural functions of a pregnant mom (like pushing out a baby) to happen with fewer interventions.
Passage
Passage is the second possible cause of dystocia. It refers to the size and shape of the birth canal. This one is easy to see how chiropractic care will help. Think of your pelvis like a ring. That ring twists and gets bigger and smaller as you walk. When your pelvis rotates, that ring is smaller, and therefore, the birth canal is smaller. Our care also addresses muscle and ligament imbalances that can cause unnecessary uterine torsion. Chiropractic care will optimize pelvic balance and allow maximum space for the baby to descend properly.
Passenger
The “passenger” is the baby! Some things are left to genetics (like the size and shape) of the baby, but the baby must be appropriately positioned for a healthy delivery. The baby should ideally be head down, chin tucked, and body/back aligned on the mother’s left side. It allows the baby to descend with a slight rotation, with their head facing toward the mother’s back. Sometimes a baby presents in a different position, such as breech. The Webster Technique addresses the causes of a malpositioned baby. If the birth environment has too much tension, not enough physical space, or is imbalanced, it often leads to the baby not presenting in an ideal position. It is important to understand that we are never “turning babies.” We are just creating an optimal environment for the baby to have the room to move into the best position it can.
Who should see a prenatal chiropractor?
Honestly, every single pregnant patient can likely benefit from some chiropractic care. Moms are under a lot of physical, chemical, and emotional stress. Their bodies and lives are changing. Chiropractic offices like ours offer tons of consistent support for these changes.
Here is a list of things we often initially are referred for:
• Musculoskeletal discomfort during pregnancy
• Malposition of baby
• Moms wanting to VBAC
• Moms wanting a more natural birth
• Carpal tunnel/nerve pain
• Headaches and hormonal changes
• Whenever excess pulling of the baby or a forceps/vacuum is used during delivery
• Post-partum for mom and baby
Chiropractic research has shown to:
• Reduce the average labor times of first-time moms from 14 hours to 9 hours, second or more pregnancies from 9 hours to 5 hours
• Reduction in the need for pain medications by 50%
• Decreased c-section rates (in our office, it has been less than 2% needing unplanned c-sections)
• 300% decrease in improper positioning
• 75% decrease in musculoskeletal discomfort during pregnancy