Chiropractors Offer Relief For Moms-To-Be

CLEVELAND -- As joyous as pregnancy is, it can also be strenuous on a mom-to-be as her body changes.

You've probably heard of chiropractic care for sore backs, necks and other delicate parts.

But a chiropractor can also come in handy during a pregnancy.

A chiropractor checked to see if Tricia Stroman's pelvis was balanced -- it wasn't four weeks ago.

Stroman's lower back pain started around the seventh week of pregnancy, and it got so bad that she couldn't even bend or do much of anything.

"Laying down was very difficult," she said. "Changing positions was extremely, extremely painful. I was at the point where I really wasn't functioning very well."

After a series of tests, it was determined that Stroman was carrying a healthy baby, so she decided to get chiropractic care.

"I was here three days in a row (with) a weekend off and (there was a) drastic difference," she said.

There are common reasons why expectant mothers have pain.

As the baby grows and mom gains even the smallest amount of weight, the pelvis needs to grow, too.

If that doesn't happen, pain is the result.

Chiropractic care can realign the pelvis, but that's not the only benefit.

"The actual time of labor, the length of it, is shortened," said Dr. Michelle Yan, a chiropractic physician. "The delivery was very easy. The baby just literally, kind of, came out slowly and smoothly. Complications are very rare."

Mothers can even do one of the moves at home to help things along.

Find your belly button, go diagonal about 2 inches and you'll feel the muscle that is connected to the uterus. A simple 30-second massage there can help.

Chiropractic care during pregnancy is not covered by insurance, but most chiropractors will work out a payment plan and even some discounts for expectant moms.