Chiropractic Care for the Pregnant Body.

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Musculoskeletal Medicine
• Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Background:

• Musculoskeletal pain, including low back and pelvic pain, is common during pregnancy.
• The opioid epidemic necessitates nonpharmacologic pain management options for pregnant individuals.
• Chiropractic care is a frequently utilized non-drug therapy for pregnancy-related discomfort.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide an evidence-based review of chiropractic care in obstetrics.
• To examine the epidemiology, commonly treated conditions, and physiological considerations of chiropractic treatment during pregnancy.
• To assess the safety of spinal manipulation in pregnant populations.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of epidemiological data on chiropractic use in obstetrics.
• Analysis of studies on conditions treated by chiropractors in pregnant women.
• Review of physiological changes during pregnancy relevant to chiropractic care.
• Evaluation of safety data regarding spinal manipulation during pregnancy.

Main Results:

• Chiropractic care is a prevalent nonpharmacologic approach for managing pregnancy-related musculoskeletal pain.
• Commonly treated conditions include low back pain, pelvic girdle pain, and sciatica.
• Evidence suggests spinal manipulation is generally safe when performed by qualified practitioners during pregnancy.
• Understanding pregnancy physiology is crucial for adapting chiropractic techniques.

Conclusions:

• Chiropractic care presents a viable, non-medication option for managing common musculoskeletal complaints in pregnancy.
• Further research can solidify the evidence base for specific chiropractic interventions and outcomes in obstetrics.
• Qualified chiropractic care can be a safe component of prenatal care for pain management.