Toronto Chiropractor - North York - Don Mills
  • HOME
  • ABOUT US
    • FIND / CONTACT US
    • HOURS >
      • Dr. Missaghi's Hours
      • RMT Maria Lisiecka's Hours
      • Monica Missaghi's Hours
    • OFFICE TOUR
    • Dr. B. Missaghi B.Sc., D.C., F.C.C.P.O.R. (c)
    • Monica Missaghi, B.A., M.A., Acc.FM (OAFM), Solution Focus Counseler
  • SERVICES
    • Chiropractic
    • Orthotics
    • Rehabilitative Exercise
    • Massage Therapy
    • Mediation
    • Counseling
  • CONDITIONS
    • Automobile Accident
    • Back Pain
    • Headaches
    • Knee Pain
    • Neck Pain
    • Sciatica
    • Shoulder Pain
    • Tennis Elbow
    • Foot Pain
    • TMJ (Jaw Pain)

Chiropractic Care and Postpartum Depression

3/17/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
Many research studies have confirmed the benefits of chiropractic care during pregnancy. The postural and hormonal changes a woman goes through during pregnancy are potentially debilitating, and chiropractic adjustments have been shown to alleviate many of the most common problems. Studies have indicated that regular chiropractic care during pregnancy helps to prevent breech deliveries, permits more unobstructed fetal development, and reduces birth trauma in the infant. For the mother, chiropractic adjustments often relieve back pain during pregnancy, reduce labor time and make delivery easier. 


But several of the important benefits of chiropractic care only become apparent after the birth. The hormonal and postural changes of pregnancy, combined with the stress of delivery itself, often cause severe symptoms of postpartum depression after the baby is born. Chiropractic adjustments during this recovery period can help to reduce the likelihood of postpartum depression, quicken recovery time, and help new mothers to re-normalize their pelvic and spinal structures.

At least one 1975 study published in the Journal of the American Osteopathic Association indicates that "post-partum depression is a rarity in patients receiving…manipulative [adjustment] therapy." And the first-hand reports from the new mothers seem to reflect this same finding—many cite regular post-delivery chiropractic care as being as important to their overall mental health as it was to their physical health during the pregnancy itself. Intuitively, you can easily understand why this would be the case. Not only is the new mother's body trying to return to some semblance of "normalcy" after nine months of pregnancy and the stress of delivery, it's doing so during a period when they are "new mothers." They aren't getting enough sleep, they are so busy taking care of their new babies that they often don't have the time to eat properly themselves or get enough exercise, and their hormones are still going crazy.

Doctors of chiropractic can offer a great deal of support during this critical period, ranging from "hands on" adjustments, relaxation therapies, and massage treatments to nutritional, exercise, and lifestyle advice that help new mothers' bodies grow stronger. And, of course, chiropractic does this the same way it addresses other problems – in a holistic manner, without drugs and without surgery, aiming at helping the body heal itself.

From a biomechanical point of view, your "post-partum" period lasts for a full year after giving birth. It takes that long for the hormone relaxin– so essential in facilitating the bone and connective tissue changes necessary to give birth – to leave the body. During this time, the hormone continues to affect your ligaments, spine, and pelvis. It can produce pain and feelings of instability that make it difficult to stand and walk normally. These physical changes are magnified emotionally, as your hormone levels change and you deal with the pressures of being a new parent.

So even if you didn't take advantage of chiropractic care during your pregnancy, consider using it during this period after the baby has been born. It can help in many ways, and anything that helps to re-establish your normal sense of health and well-being is good for your baby, too.

0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Posted by Dr. Babak Missaghi

    View my profile on LinkedIn

    Archives

    August 2017
    July 2017
    March 2017
    June 2016
    May 2016
    February 2016
    December 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    January 2011
    November 2010
    September 2010
    July 2010
    June 2010
    May 2010

    Categories

    All
    Back Strain
    Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
    Chiropractic
    Cts
    Exercise
    Extremity
    Gardening
    Golf
    Health
    How To Boost Your Immune System
    How To Protect Your Back
    Prevention
    Proper Lifting
    Six Reasons To See A Chiropractor
    Snow Shoveling
    Top Ten Foot Care Tips
    Top Ten Tips For Preventing Back Pain
    Treating Strain & Sprains

    RSS Feed

  • HOME
  • ABOUT US
    • FIND / CONTACT US
    • HOURS >
      • Dr. Missaghi's Hours
      • RMT Maria Lisiecka's Hours
      • Monica Missaghi's Hours
    • OFFICE TOUR
    • Dr. B. Missaghi B.Sc., D.C., F.C.C.P.O.R. (c)
    • Monica Missaghi, B.A., M.A., Acc.FM (OAFM), Solution Focus Counseler
  • SERVICES
    • Chiropractic
    • Orthotics
    • Rehabilitative Exercise
    • Massage Therapy
    • Mediation
    • Counseling
  • CONDITIONS
    • Automobile Accident
    • Back Pain
    • Headaches
    • Knee Pain
    • Neck Pain
    • Sciatica
    • Shoulder Pain
    • Tennis Elbow
    • Foot Pain
    • TMJ (Jaw Pain)