Tag Archives: birth

Pregnant Woman with Surgical Spinal Rods Helped with Chiropractic

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Do Chiropractors Treat Pregnancy Related Pain? Is Chiropractic Safe with Surgical Rods?

The Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health published an unusual study on March 23, 2017, documenting the case of a pregnant woman with lower back pain being helped by chiropractic. What makes this case unusual is that the woman had previous spinal surgery and had Harrington rods inserted into her spine.

Pregnant Woman with Surgical Spinal Rods Helped with Chiropractic-Austin-TX-Chiropracor-Labor-Delivery-Pregnancy-Low-Back-Pain-Sciatica-Restless-LegsAccording to Wikipedia, the Harrington rod is a stainless steel surgical device that was implanted along the spinal column to treat curvatures of the spine, or scoliosis. Up to one million people had Harrington rods implanted for scoliosis between the early 1960s and the late 1990s.

The study begins by noting that chiropractic care for pregnant women has been a popular occurrence for much of the chiropractic profession’s history. Commonly, women seek chiropractic care to address physical complaints such as pregnancy-related musculoskeletal complaints. However, many pregnant women seek chiropractic for wellness care and to improve the birth experience.

In this case, a 28-year-old woman who was in her 21st week of pregnancy, sought chiropractic care with a chief complaint of shoulder and neck pain, which she attributed to her scoliosis. She had surgery seven years prior for a moderate scoliosis. Harrington rods were inserted into her spine from her second thoracic to her second lumbar vertebrae.

She rated her constant pain as 6 out of 10, with 10 being the worst. She recalled that this episode started when she was lying on her left side and she felt a muscle tightened so tightly that it was pulling on the rods from her scoliosis surgery. Her pain was worse at night and was too painful for her to get a massage. Her left shoulder was restricted and she claimed that she could not lift anything with her left arm. Additionally, she reported that she occasionally suffered with headaches and sinus congestion.

A chiropractic examination was performed, and it was determined that subluxations were present. A series of specific chiropractic adjustments were begun to address the woman’s subluxations. After each adjustment the patient reported a decrease in her pain.

After 13 weeks of chiropractic care, it was reported that the woman’s pain had significantly decreased and was now only a 2 out of 10. Additionally, her posture had improved as had her spinal range of motion. A week later, the patient suffered a fall which caused a minimal increase in her symptoms. Care was continued and she continued to improve in most areas. She delivered a seven pound girl vaginally with minimal assistance.

The complexity of this case, due to the patient’s spinal surgery history, contributed to variations in her symptoms as care was given. Overall, the quality of her life was improved and she was able to deliver a healthy baby. In their conclusion, the study authors summed up this unusual case by stating, “This case report provides supporting evidence on the effectiveness of chiropractic care throughout pregnancy and in particular, pregnant women with surgical rods to address scoliosis.”

If you or anyone you know could benefit from a better functioning nervous system, please call us at 512-452-2525 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Swanson. Austin chiropractor located in north central Austin, TX.

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Reduction of Labor and Delivery Time Due to Chiropractic Care

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Do Chiropractor’s Help Pregnant Patients? Can Chiropractic Help Delivery?

The Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health published a case study on April 3, 2017, documenting the case of a woman who experienced a shorter and easier birth due to chiropractic care. This improvement was compared to her first pregnancy and delivery where she did not receive any chiropractic care.

Reduction of Labor and Delivery Time Due to Chiropractic Care - Austin-TX-Pregnancy-Chiropractor-Prenatal-Postnatal-Care-Childbirth-ATXThe study begins by noting that chiropractic care has been involved in the care of pregnant women since the early days of the profession over a century ago. The authors note that over 76% of practicing chiropractors report that the care of pregnant women is a part of their practices. This care is rendered for both musculoskeletal issues related to pregnancy as well as care for overall wellness during pregnancy.

In this study, a 28-year-old woman went to the chiropractor for evaluation and possible care. She sought chiropractic for a pain in her tailbone area as well as for wellness care. The woman believed that her pelvis had shifted due to her first pregnancy. She reported that after the delivery of her firstborn, she experienced pain and discomfort at her tailbone any time she sat on a hard surface. The woman reported that her first pregnancy went well, but that her delivery was very long and difficult. This was one of the factors in her desire to receive chiropractic care in anticipation of her second pregnancy.

Her history revealed that between the ages of eight and sixteen, she was a competitive gymnast and was receiving chiropractic intermittently during that time. She also noted that she did not receive any chiropractic care during her first pregnancy. Prior to her first pregnancy, she did not have tailbone pain. She later attributed her long and difficult labor and delivery as being the cause of the tailbone pain.

A chiropractic examination was performed and it was determined that multiple vertebral subluxations were present. Care was started to address the subluxations through a series of adjustments to the areas involved. After a number of adjustments, the woman reported a 50% reduction in the tail bone pain. She then became pregnant for the second time. The chiropractic care was continued to, hopefully, facilitate an easier delivery process.

As with her first birth, the woman decided to have her second child at home. She was supervised by the same Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) that attended her first home birth. According to the midwife, the woman’s first labor and delivery time combined was 32 hours and 25 minutes. After chiropractic care, the midwife reported that the woman’s labor and delivery times for her second child was only two hours and 45 minutes combined.

In their conclusion, the study authors note that chiropractic care during pregnancy is far more valuable than just symptomatic relief of musculoskeletal pains, and should be considered for the overall wellness and process of pregnancy. They stated, “This case report provides supporting evidence that subluxation centered chiropractic care on pregnant patients can have beneficial effects on the birthing process.”

If you or anyone you know could benefit from a better functioning nervous system, please call us at 512-452-2525 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Swanson. Austin chiropractor located in north central Austin, TX.

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New Guidelines Recommend Hands-Off Approach for Low-Risk Pregnancies

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The January 25, 2017, issue of the MedPage Today published an article on new guidelines suggesting that less intervention in low-risk births is better. A similar articles based upon the same guidelines also appeared in a number of publications including the Huffington Post.

New Guidelines Recommend Hands-Off Approach for Low-Risk Pregnancies - Chiropractor Austin TX Pregnancy Low Back Pain Sciatic Buttocks Leg PainThe American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), which represents over 58,000 members, put out a release titled, “Approaches for Ob-gyns and Maternity Care Providers to Limit Intervention During Labor and Birth in Low-Risk Pregnancies.” This release brings new guidelines that emphasis less medical interference with the birth process.

There has been much written over the past few years suggesting that the birth process has moved from a natural and normal process to a medical procedure. The discussion of how much intervention is really needed for a safe and normal birth has left many expectant mothers confused.

The ACOG has attempted to decrease the intervention at childbirth by issuing new guidelines for low-risk births. The new recommendations have also been endorsed by American College of Nurse-Midwives and the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses.

The new guidelines include the following:

  • Consider allowing low-risk women to labor at home on their own for longer.
  • Avoid rupturing the amniotic sac if a woman is progressing normally.
  • Avoid constant fetal heart rate monitoring when appropriate to allow women to move around.
  • Allow women to switch positions and push in whatever manner works best for them during labor.
  • Offer women non-pharmacologic pain relief techniques.

In prefacing the guidelines committee opinion author, Jeffrey L. Ecker, M.D., chief of the Obstetrics & Gynecology department at Massachusetts General Hospital stated, “Practitioners always put the best interests of moms and babies at the forefront of all their medical decision-making, but in many cases those interests will be served with only limited intervention or use of technology. Dr. Ecker continued, “These new recommendations offer providers an opportunity to reexamine the necessity of obstetric practices that may have uncertain benefit among low-risk women. When appropriate, providers are encouraged to consider using low-intervention approaches that have been associated with healthy outcomes and may increase a woman’s satisfaction with her birth experience.”

The conclusion of the ACOG sums up the new guidelines, “Many common obstetric practices are of limited or uncertain benefit for low-risk women in spontaneous labor. In addition, some women may seek to reduce medical interventions during labor and delivery. Satisfaction with one’s birth experience also is related to personal expectations, support from caregivers, quality of the patient–caregiver relationship, and the patient’s involvement in decision making. Therefore, obstetrician–gynecologists and other obstetric care providers should be familiar with and consider using low-interventional approaches, when appropriate, for the intrapartum management of low-risk women in spontaneous labor.”

If you or anyone you know could benefit from a better functioning nervous system, please call us at 512-452-2525 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Swanson. Austin chiropractor located in north central Austin, TX.

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Resolution of Infertility Following Chiropractic Care

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What Causes Infertility? Does Chiropractic Help Fertility?

A case study and review of literature on the results of chiropractic care on patients with infertility was published on January 19, 2017, in the Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health. The study defines this condition by stating, “Infertility is a reproductive issue defined as the inability to accomplish a pregnancy within one year or more of regular sexual intercourse without the use of contraceptives.”

Resolution of Infertility Following Chiropractic Care - Pregnancy Chiropractor Austin Texas Fertility Sciatic Sciatica Pain in ButtAccording to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, the number of married women between the ages of 15 and 44 who are suffering with infertility is 1 million, or 6.1% of that age population. In that age group, 6.9 million, about 11.3%, have used fertility services.

The study reports that infertility can also have psychological effects on the woman affected by this and can lead to depression, low self-esteem, anxiety, and guilt, as well as self-loathing. Medical treatment for infertility can vary but usually carries a price tag in the thousands of dollars.

In this case, a 24-year-old woman presented herself for chiropractic care with a chief complaint of back pain. Her history also showed that she was under medical care for infertility for the past three and a half years. Additionally, it was reported that all of her menstrual cycles had to be progesterone induced and would occur infrequently every 3-5 months on average.

A chiropractic examination was performed that showed postural irregularities, tender areas along her spine, and muscle spasms. Motion muscle tests, reflexes and sensation were all within normal limits with only one orthopedic test showing a positive finding. X-rays revealed a reversal of the normal neck curve as well as malpositioning of several vertebrae in the lower back.

Based on the determination of the presence of subluxations, care was started on the woman in the form of specific chiropractic adjustments. By the third visit, the woman reported that she started menstruating. However, her cycle was not of normal duration or flow. By the ninth visit, she reported that she had finished her first normal menstrual cycle. On her tenth chiropractic visit, she stated that she had began ovulating. Two visits later, she reported that she had become pregnant. The woman went on to have a successful vaginal birth. She continued to receive chiropractic care and, as of the writing of this study, she was pregnant with her second child.

In their conclusion, the study authors explained how the woman was able to overcome infertility and conceive by saying, “Chiropractic care has the ability to restore biomechanical function and neurological integrity by working with the nervous system through the reduction of subluxations. This restoration of the nervous system can improve the function of the body in many aspects, including whole organ systems. The altered function of a female reproductive system has the potential to be improved through the enhancement of neurological function due to the effects of reducing subluxations.”

If you or anyone you know could benefit from a better functioning nervous system, please call us at 512-452-2525 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Swanson. Austin chiropractor located in north central Austin, TX.

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Health Issues Caused by Birth Trauma Helped by Chiropractic

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Do Chiropractors Care for Infants? How Does Chiropractic Care Help Birth Trauma?

On March 21, 2016, the Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health published a case study showing chiropractic helping an infant with multiple health issues resulting from a traumatic birth.

Health Issues Caused by Birth Trauma Helped by Chiropractic - Chiropractor Austin Texas help for pain from car accidentThe study begins by noting that about 5% of all births in the U.S. are either by forceps or by vacuum extraction.  They report that forceps delivery is associated with an increased death rate during birth, and that vacuum extractions are associated with increased head injuries, facial paralysis, and other head and nerve problems. Chiropractors are interested in this problem from a standpoint of the effect these types of births have on the upper portion of the neck.

In this study, a 6-week-old baby boy was brought to the chiropractor for consultation and possible care with problems of infantile colic, acid reflux, restlessness, inability to relax and/or lay on his back, difficulty sleeping and general irritability. The baby’s mother described her son as being fussy, restless, always tense and frustrated. She reported that in the first six weeks of life he was screaming and could not be comforted during all his waking hours. While sleeping, the infant would moan and whimper.

The baby had been given a medical diagnosis of acid reflux and infantile colic and he was given the label of a “high needs baby.” With this diagnosis, the infant was prescribed and given a generic form of the medication Zantac for his colic and reflux.

A history of the birth process revealed that infant’s mother did not experience any contractions prior to the beginning of labor. After only 17 minutes, it was reported that the baby’s heart rate had decreased. Because of this, an episiotomy was performed and the baby was pulled out with the aid of vacuum extraction. This resulted in a large bruise on the infant’s skull from the vacuum extraction.

A chiropractic examination of the infant revealed the presence of multiple vertebral subluxations, including several in the upper neck region.  Chiropractic adjustments were performed  specific to the subluxations, and the age and size of the infant.

After the first adjustment, the mother reported that her son had the longest nap he had experienced since birth. The parents also reported that within the first week, the infant had six large bowel movements within 36 hours of being adjusted, was less fussy, less gassy, sleeping more soundly and peacefully, showed improved postural alignment of the neck and entire body, and appeared to be much happier, more comfortable, and demonstrated an overall improved demeanor. After several more visits, the child no longer had any of the digestive issues or other health concerns seen on the initial evaluation.

If you or anyone you know could benefit from a better functioning nervous system, please call us at 512-452-2525 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Swanson.

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Breech Pregnancy Corrected Under Chiropractic Care

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Can Chiropractic Help Turn A Breech Baby? How Does Chiropractic Help Pregnancy?

The March 31, 2016, issue of the Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health documented the case of a woman who was 35 weeks into her pregnancy with a breech presentation who was helped and gave birth normally due to chiropractic care.

Breech Pregnancy Corrected Under Chiropractic Care - Chiropractor in Austin TX for car accident injuriesThe usage of chiropractic care by women who are pregnant has been increasing. The most common reason that woman seek chiropractic is for musculoskeletal pain, specifically back pain. However, more women are turning to chiropractic with breech pregnancies after reading information about a chiropractic procedure known as the “Webster Technique.”

In this case, a 37-year-old woman went for a chiropractic consultation and possible care at 35 weeks of her second pregnancy. She was suffering from right hip and pelvic pain. Additionally, an ultrasound examination performed the week prior showed that her baby was in the frank breech position.

The history revealed that the woman gave birth to her first child after being induced at 37 weeks into her pregnancy. The baby was born vaginally in the posterior position but showed significant bruises on his head.

A chiropractic examination was performed using structural analysis and palpation of the spine and pelvis. Subluxations were noted and adjustments along with the Webster Technique was utilized. Pillows and a specialized adjusting table were used to accommodate her pregnancy. Care was rendered three times over a five day period prior to her delivery.

The patient reported that after the first visit she felt the baby had changed position. She stated that her “baby was sitting in the pelvis and was moving differently.” As a result of the chiropractic care, the woman’s baby was delivered normally, in the head-down vertex position, with no complications.

In their discussion, the authors explain the results by stating, “The use of the Webster Technique during pregnancy has been well documented in the peer-reviewed and non peer-reviewed literature.” They describe the Webster Technique as “a specific chiropractic analysis and adjustment to establish neuro-biomechanical balance and function in the pelvis via the correction of sacral subluxation.”

The authors’ conclusion stated, “This case report provides supporting evidence on the effectiveness of chiropractic care via Webster Technique during pregnancy with positive outcomes.”

If you or anyone you know could benefit from a better functioning nervous system, please call us at 512-452-2525 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Swanson.

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Vaginal Birth After Cesarean Credited to Chiropractic Care

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Can Chiropractic Help Make Childbirth Easier? Do Chiropractors Help Pregnancy Issues?

The February 18, 2016, issue of the Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health published a documented case study of a pregnant woman who was suffering from migraines, neck pain and back pain being helped with chiropractic.

Vaginal Birth After Cesarean Credited to Chiropractic Care - Austin TX Chiropractor for Pediatric Infants Babies Kids Children TeensThe study begins by reporting that, “The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for women and particularly for women of childbearing years and during pregnancy is substantial.” Chiropractic is one of the most widely utilized forms of CAM. The authors note that about a third of all pregnant woman use some form of CAM, but only half of them disclose this information to their medical practitioner.

In this case, a 28-year-old woman presented herself for chiropractic evaluation and possible care. At that time, she was 29 weeks pregnant with her second pregnancy. She was suffering from chronic migraines associated with neck and back pain.

She reported that her first pregnancy resulted in an emergency C-section and she was hoping to be able to have a vaginal birth for this current pregnancy. However, complicating this pregnancy was that a recent ultrasound showed that the baby’s placenta was partially blocking the mother’s cervix. This condition is known placenta previa.

A chiropractic examination was performed which included postural analysis, spinal palpation, spinal motion, surface electromyogram, and paraspinal thermography. With consent, chiropractic care began for correction of subluxations that were determined from the examination.

By the third visit, the patient reported that her migraines were gone. By the fourth visit her placenta previa was resolved as confirmed on imaging. The patient was successfully able to have a vaginal birth even after her first pregnancy resulted in a c-section. She reported no complications to her birth, and her labor was fast and without the need for any medications.

In their conclusions the authors wrote, “We described the successful care of a pregnant patient presenting with a chief complaint of chronic migraines and pregnancy-related neck and back pain. This case report highlights benefits of chiropractic care beyond symptom care with resolution of placenta previa and successful VBAC, (vaginal birth after cesarean).”

If you or anyone you know could benefit from a better functioning nervous system, please call us at 512-452-2525 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Swanson.

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