pregnancy and paediatrics
Pregnancy can be a challenging time for prospective parents, however, it can also be one of the most wonderful and rewarding periods in a couple’s life. Pregnancy and childbirth are completely natural processes that a women’s body is specifically designed to experience with ease. Chiropractic can help the mother’s body to adapt to the changes that occur during pregnancy by releasing tension from the whole body.
At Light Chiropractic and Wellness we believe that the body has amazing innate intelligence and that during the birthing process the body knows what to do (especially when this process is allowed to progress with minimal interference). We seek to inform pregnant women about their physiology throughout pregnancy and about the birthing process and to inform them about all the choices available to them. This allows them to listen to their bodies, to feel empowered and in control and to be an active participant in the process. Chiropractic can help women to enjoy being pregnant by supporting them physically and emotionally.
Throughout pregnancy the mother’s body experiences many changes due to the innate hormonal and physical changes that occur in the body. In addition, the growth of the baby leads to the mother carrying extra weight on the front of her body. These changes cause body ligament laxity and an altered centre of gravity. This leads to extra stress on the body. Chiropractic care has been shown to be effective in helping pregnant women to experience wellbeing as their bodies change throughout pregnancy. It can also help to provide the mother and baby with the best possible environment for growth and development.
Research has also shown that regular chiropractic care helps to reduce the symptoms that are often associated with pregnancy (such as back pain) and can lead to a reduction in labour time by up to five hours. Helping the pelvis to be more relaxed and stable during pregnancy also allows the joints to expand more easily during labour. This improves the ease of delivery, leading to less stress and pressure being experienced by the mother and the baby. Most importantly, chiropractic helps to increase the mother’s capacity to cope with emotional stress and improves her ability to make positive lifestyle decisions.
Our chiropractor, Shalom Drimer, specialises in The Webster Technique, which was developed by Dr. Larry Webster. It is a specific chiropractic adjustment for pregnant mothers. It works by correcting sacral misalignments. The Webster technique balances pelvic muscles and ligaments in the woman’s pelvis, removes intra-uterine constraint and allows the baby to get into the best possible position for birth.
We are happy to provide information and to answer questions. Please make a time to talk to Shalom if you have any questions that you would like answered. We work closely with other health practitioners and we recommend that women seek support from care providers such as midwives, doulas, nutritionists and hypnotherapists.
post natal care
After giving birth, chiropractic adjustments can help the mother’s body to recover more quickly and can help to keep her spine healthy and strong as she carries a growing baby. It can also assist women to cope with the stress experienced in the post-natal period due to hormonal changes and interruptions to normal sleep patterns.
chiropractic for children
‘You should go and see Shalom! He is really cool and he has a really nice wife who plays games with you and she even entertains you while Shalom works’. Anthony 6 years old chatting to his older sister Natasha.
10 reasons why parents take their children to see a CHIROPRACTOR
- To improve their child’s ability to concentrate
- To assist with behavioural disorders and offer greater emotional wellbeing.
- To strengthen immunity and reduce the incidence of colds, earaches and general illness.
- To enhance the child’s overall wellbeing.
- To help alleviate bed wetting and digestive problems.
- To improve spinal posture.
- To maximize and increase their child’s plasticity (brain and nerve development).
- To help with asthma, breathing difficulties and allergies.
- To assist with sleep issues.
- To help with colic/irritable baby syndrome.
Childhood can be both wonderful and challenging for parents and children. From birth and until adulthood children are exposed to many minor impacts and stresses. These can create tension and disturbances that can impact the function of the spine and the nervous system. This tension can affect the child’s whole body and can impact on their mood, concentration, immune system, digestion, sleep patterns and appetite. It is important to note that 65% of the development of the brain and nervous system occurs in the first year of life.
Chiropractic is especially important from birth to the age of five because any spinal misalignments can be corrected as the child’s spine is developing from cartilage to bone. Therefore chiropractic can help to prevent conditions such as scoliosis from developing.
Many childhood conditions are self limiting and are important in establishing a strong immune system that will serve the child throughout life. The body knows how to deal with these conditions and may only require rest and patience to recover from them fully. However, chiropractic care can help to strengthen immunity and to reduce the incidence of colds, earaches and general illnesses.
Chiropractic has been shown to be beneficial for children and can help with a range of common childhood conditions such as colic, asthma and recurrent ear infections. It can also reduce the occurrence of colds and flu and can stimulate brain activity and development. It has also been shown to improve coordination and flexibility.
Chiropractic supports the body’s innate wisdom and allows a child’s body to function optimally. Having your child checked by a chiropractor as soon as possible after birth and throughout childhood can help them to reach their full potential.
Reasons that parents take their children to see a Chiropractor:
1. To enhance the child’s overall wellbeing
2. It has been shown that intensive chiropractic care (more then 7 visits per year for more then one year) increases resistance to common childhood diseases
3. Early detection and prevention of scoliosis
Shalom uses a very gentle method of chiropractic, which suits children of all ages. Our practice is a safe and fun environment for children and we love having them here. We are very passionate about pregnancy, children and about the health and wellbeing of women at this important time in their lives.
We are very happy to answer any questions that you may have on a variety of childhood health issues. We aim to inform our practice members about potential choices, so that they can make informed decisions. Issues of interest to us include childhood diseases, vaccination and children’s nutrition.
Recommended Reading
Well adjusted babies by Dr. Jennifer Barham-Floreani
Gentle birth, gentle mothering by Sarah J Buckley MD
The aware baby by Aletha J Solter PhD
Raising our children, raising ourselves by Naomi Aldort