Chiropractic care during pregnancy optimizes mom’s function to allow for an environment where baby can grow and develop to its fullest potential.
Pregnancy
Three to five months after conception the baby begins to move to continue their development. Then a few months after that, the baby should begin to turn to go head down for delivery. In order for this to happen, mom and baby have to be connected physically.
Many times, due to the changes in structure to mom’s spine and pelvis during the pregnancy process, this becomes difficult. It is common for women to have subluxations of the low back and sacrum (tailbone). These subluxations may cause uterine nerve interference, pelvic misalignment and the tightening and torsion of specific pelvic muscles and ligaments. This may prevent the baby from comfortably assuming the best possible position for birth which may contribute to difficult labor for the mother.
Also during labor, chiropractic care improves the alignment of the pelvis so baby has the best chance of coming into this world naturally. As a bonus side effect chiropractic care has been shown to decrease pain during pregnancy and decrease labor times.
WEBSTER TECHNIQUE
In order to correct this, the Webster technique was developed. It is a method used to analyze and correct a sacral subluxation to restore proper function of the nerve system. Dr. Bridget has been trained in the Webster technique and she is Webster certified.
Once the baby is ready to leave the sanctuary of mom’s belly and enter the world, a beautiful and elegant dance is performed between mom and baby allowing for optimal positioning, motion and timing between the two. In order for this to happen their nervous systems connect with each other.
During the delivery of baby, mom can exert a large amount of force on the baby, even in the most natural birth. In one study of 100 births, 91 had subluxations in their neck, 94 had subluxations of the lumbar spine, and 80 had subluxations of their sacrum.
Pregnancy
In one study of 100 births, 91 had subluxations in their neck, 94 had subluxations of the lumbar spine, and 80 had subluxations of their sacrum.
PEDIATRIC CHIROPRACTIC
Once baby is born, it is essential to get them checked. During this time in their life their nervous system is developing at greater levels than it ever will. It is necessary to have your child checked by a chiropractor as soon after birth as possible.
Research has shown that a majority of babies are born with subluxations of the upper part of their neck. This is the most delicate part of the baby’s spine, and has the greatest effects. Problems with this region can lead to colic, GERD, ADHD, asthma, allergies, constipation, and much more.
MORE INFO ON THE WEBSTER TECHNIQUE
According to the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA), the Webster technique is a specific chiropractic sacral analysis and adjustment. The goal of the adjustment is to reduce the effects of sacral subluxation and SI joint dysfunction. In so doing neuro-biomechanical function in the pelvis is facilitated.
The theoretical and clinical framework of the Webster Technique in the care of pregnant women is that sacral subluxation may contribute to difficult labor for the mother (i.e., dystocia). Dystocia is caused by inadequate uterine function, pelvic contraction, and baby mal-presentation. The correction of sacral subluxation may have a positive effect on all of these causes of dystocia.
In this clinical and theoretical framework, it is proposed that sacral misalignment may contribute to these three primary causes of dystocia via uterine nerve interference, pelvic misalignment and the tightening and torsion of specific pelvic muscles and ligaments. The resulting tense muscles and ligaments and their aberrant effect on the uterus may prevent the baby from comfortably assuming the best possible position for birth.
Dr. Bridget has completed the spinning babies workshop. Both Dr. Vin and Dr. Bridget have received their Webster certification from the ICPA. Dr. Vin has completed all of the ICPA courses and is currently working on a 3 year diplomat program on Chiropractic pregnancy and pediatrics.
Optimizing The Blueprint
Children are born with incomplete brain development. The blueprint is in place, but experiences determine how development unfolds. Newborns only experience their world through reflexes. A sensation is perceived and reflexively a movement occurs. Movement is the medium through which babies integrate their sensory experience.
According to Harvard University's Center on the Developing Child:
"Genes provide the basic blueprint, but experiences influence how or whether genes are expressed. Together, they shape the quality of brain architecture and establish either a sturdy or a fragile foundation for all of the learning, health, and behavior that follow.
Extensive research on the biology of stress now shows that healthy development can be derailed by excessive or prolonged activation of stress response systems in the body and brain. Such toxic stress can have damaging effects on learning, behavior, and health across the lifespan."
Optimal development is contingent upon a nervous system functioning without stress. A body that is free to move to explore the environment,
Development of the Nervous System
A baby's nervous system is immature, and neural connections between different parts of the brain have a lot of developing to do. These pathways mature rapidly in the first six months of life as higher brain centers develop and take more direct control.
Initially, a baby's movements are reflexive and are controlled through their brain stem. These are known as primitive reflexes. When the body perceives a sensation, the body reflexively moves in response. This is all coordinated through the nervous system.
If a baby's nervous system is stressed and stuck, their movement will be inhibited. Then the foundation of brain development is not fortified, so later brain maturation is going to be compromised.