|
|
Greetings!
May 16, 2011
Thank you for your continued support of my newsletter, and all of the patients who came in for their annual holistic physical. I know it's something people generally don't think about, but so far we have been able to get rid of parasites, eliminate digestive problems, and bring high levels of heavy metal toxins within a safe range.
 The overall wellness improvement I see from "before" and "after" tests and treatments is most rewarding to me. People just don't realize what they can be walking around with. Spring is traditionally a time of dedication to health and fitness. If you have an hour, I hope you can stop by, and let me give you my "Dr. Lou" seal of approval for maximum wellness.
Pregnancy is probably not something you have heard me speak much about. I see this newsletter as more of an educational piece. Chances are, someone close to you will become pregnant, and you may find the insights of this article valuable for future reference.
|
Chiropractic Care for a Healthier Pregnancy
| |
It can be challenging enough to take care of our own bodies and remain healthy, but imagine if we are faced with the task of not only taking care of ourselves but another life that is growing inside of us. I will never know what this is like first hand, but for women who become pregnant this is their reality.
As a fetus grows inside an expectant mother their bodies are faced with substantial physical changes. These physical changes and symptoms include weight gain in many areas of the body, including the abdomen, headaches, constipation, heartburn, back pain, leg pain, neck pain, tender swollen breasts, fatigue, swelling of the ankles and hands, hemorrhoids, and possibly mood swings. Although, these symptoms can be debilitating, many pregnant women are discovering the substantial benefits of chiropractic care to not only make their pregnancy more comfortable, but for an easier delivery and healthier baby.
Many women's bodies aren't prepared to handle the increased stress and physical load that pregnancy bears. As a woman goes through her pregnancy, her abdomen protrudes and hormones are released, which relaxes the pelvic bones and causes significant postural changes. The combination of these factors causes a misalignment of the lumbar spine and sacroiliac joints, which are the most common areas of dysfunction in pregnant women. These misalignments are the primary reason why so many pregnant women complain of back pain. Another common ailment is sciatica. As a woman gains weight, there is increased pressure on the sciatic nerve and fourth lumbar vertebrae, which is the sciatic nerve's origin.
Chiropractic care for pregnant women is tailored to gently and effectively release pressure on irritated spinal nerves and keep the spine mobile so that a woman can have less pain during her pregnancy. Most chiropractors who treat pregnant women have a specialized table for pregnancy. The table that I use has a midsection release ideal for pregnant women, which is used up until the time they can no longer go prone. My technique is modified throughout the stages of pregnancy insuring comfort and effectiveness.
It is very important that a woman's pelvic bones remain mobile and functioning properly, since the baby will descend through the pelvic area. If these pelvic bones are not functioning well, there is a greater likelihood of a cesarean section or a more challenging delivery. Chiropractic care during pregnancy has been shown to significantly reduce the length of time a woman labors.
First time moms averaged a 24 percent shorter labor, while mothers who have already given birth experienced a 39 percent reduction in the average labor length, compared to controls (Fallon, 1991). Another wonderful benefit of chiropractic care during pregnancy is the increased chance that the baby will assume its natural birthing position, and for women that want to avoid a cesarean section chiropractic care can be vital.
It is always important to eat well but a pregnant woman is faced with an extra burden of eating well for two people. If you knew what the human body goes through physiologically, while going through pregnancy you would be amazed. I certainly was when I learned in chiropractic school all the intricate biochemical reactions that occur in a pregnant woman. Their nutritional needs are increased significantly. Unfortunately, we would have to eat such large amounts of certain vegetables and foods to get what the body requires during pregnancy. The good news is that simple whole food vitamin supplementation can provide the body with the extra building blocks it requires.
The prenatal vitamins that the majority of medical doctors prescribe for their patients are usually synthetic and not absorbed well by the body. Many women come into my office and have me test their prenatal vitamins, which oftentimes test negatively for them. Although, I generally test people individually for what supplements their body requires, there are certain supplements that I have found to be important for pregnant women. The following supplements are from Standard Process, and are highly recommended:
- Catalyn, a whole food multi/prenatal supplement.
- Tuna Omega Oil for brain development, neurotransmitters, and joint health
- Calcium Lactate which is essential for muscle contraction, cell membrane permeability, nerve conduction, and enzyme systems.
- Folic Acid B12 helps proper neural tube formation and reduces the risk of birth defects.
- FenGre is an excellent supplement for mothers who were having difficulty producing milk, and they raved about the results.
Many women have come into my practice while they were trying to conceive, and I analyzed them using the nutrition response testing protocol. For many of them, I found levels of toxicity and deficiency in an organ or gland. If a woman has a toxicity and systemic weakness in an organ or gland, how can they support building a new life inside of them and carrying a baby full term? The body has an innate intelligence and knows the proper environment that it needs to support a fetus.
I am so excited to report that in many of these women I have treated after about three months they became pregnant. One of my patients had a terrible case of Candida. After taking supplements to help rid her body of the Candida, her body became stronger, and she became pregnant. All of these women received the tools necessary to conceive through systemic wellness. It is no wonder that so many women out there have difficulty conceiving, but many simply have toxicity and nutritional imbalances, which is the cause of their difficulty.
Healthfully yours,
Dr. Louis Granirer
Holistic Chiropractic Center
  
|
|
|
|
|
