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Pregnancy Children

At first glance, most people don’t see the connection between chiropractic care and pregnancy.  However, there are four stages in which having an optimally working nervous system and structural support help both mother and child.

Pre-Conception

Chiropractic care prior to conception promotes a more regular menstrual cycle and optimal uterine function.  It prepares the body to be strong, supple and as balanced as possible to carry the pregnancy.  Many couples who thought they were infertile have been helped by restoring proper nerve supply to reproductive organs.

Pregnancy

During pregnancy a women's body releases hormones which purposely reduces ligament tension. This has the effect of "relaxing" or loosening the ligaments and allowing more movement of the structures to which they are connected. This is necessary because of the many postural changes that occur during pregnancy.

A women's center of gravity changes due to the increase in weight and the size and position of the fetus. Not only do the ligaments of the spine become relaxed, but so do the ligaments of the pelvis to allow for stretching during delivery. The curve in the lower back increases during pregnancy and may cause back and leg pain.

All of these changes make the spine more flexible and therefore less stable. This can be compounded by an already unstable spine. Since all nervous system control flows through the spine, chiropractic care is a necessity in maintaining proper control of body functions thru spinal health. Many symptoms such as back pain, leg pain and morning sickness can be helped with chiropractic care. Chiropractic care will help to normalize the functions of the nervous system and improve overall health. Optimal functioning of the mother's body directly influences the proper development of the fetus.

Chiropractic features many different techniques. Modifications to chiropractic techniques and equipment during different the stages of pregnancy make adjustments for pregnant women gentle and comfortable.

Labor and Birth

Mother who get adjusted during pregnancy seem to require less high-tech intervention.  Most report shorter, less traumatic births.  With proper nerve supply, well-timed contractions help move the baby more easily through the birth canal.

Post Delivery

Even natural births can stress a baby’s spine.  Breastfeeding problems can arise if the baby is unable to comfortably turn its head.  Schedule a chiropractic checkup for your newborn as soon as possible.  Rest assured that chiropractic adjustments to your newborn use no more pressure than you’d need to test the ripeness of a tomato.


Chiropractic & Children

As mentioned above, the birth process can put tremendous pressures on child’s spine.  While the injury from forceps deliveries may be less common today, vacuum extraction and eager hands can do even more damage by pulling, forcing and twisting the baby’s young spine.

Many newborns experience colic, unexplained crying, lack of appetite, frequent ear infections or other signs of poor health. A chiropractic examination is essential to determine if birth trauma to the spine is involved.  Then if indicated, a gently, life-affirming adjustment is given.  Almost miraculously, many parents see instant improvements in the well-being of their child.

Later, regular chiropractic checkups are helpful to monitor spinal development as infants sit upright, support their heads, learn to crawl and take their first brave steps.

Sadly, bedwetting and many childhood aches and pains are passed off as “growing pains” or “just a phase they are going through.”  Aches and pains at any age are a sign that something isn’t right.  Subluxations may be involved.

Scoliosis is another reason you should have your child examined by your chiropractor. It is an abnormal curvature of the spine. If you look at your child’s back, his or her spine should be almost perfectly straight up and down, no side to side curvature. If this condition is not detected early on, your child may end up with a serious deformity. This condition can be treated by your chiropractor but only if the child is brought to us early. It is very important that scoliosis is detected and treated before the "growth spurt" period of your child’s life. While we know that children grow in different ways, it is imperative that your child receives treatment for scoliosis usually before age 12.

We don’t think twice about taking our children to the dentist regularly, do the same for chiropractic visits. We think you will be surprised by the results and we feel that you and your child will enjoy the loving care your chiropractor will give.

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Petersen Chiropractic Center

Monday:

8a - 12p

1p - 5p

Tuesday:

8a - 12p

1p - 5p

Wednesday:

8a - 12 p

1p - 5p

Thursday:

8a - 12p

1p - 5p

Friday:

Closed

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed