Health & Chiro Articles

A case study appeared on July 22, 2009 in the scientific periodical, The Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health, documenting the correction of a breech pregnancy and therefore saving a woman from having an unnecessary C-section delivery.

This case involved a 41 year old woman who was 33 weeks pregnant and had confirmation by ultrasound that the baby was in a breech presentation. She came into the chiropractor’s office looking for an alternative to prevent the cesarean procedure which was planned for her 39th week of pregnancy.

The woman did have a history of back pain during her pregnancy. The chiropractic examination showed muscle spasms and tenderness over multiple areas of her spine including her lower back. Her spinal range of motion was also significantly reduced. Numerous other orthopedic tests were positive, and trigger points were detected around her abdomen. It was determined that she had a subluxation of the sacrum and was a good candidate for a technique known as the “Webster In-Utero Constraint Technique”.

According to WikiParenting, “The Webster In-Utero Constraint Technique is a chiropractic procedure used to correct subluxations in the pregnant mothers sacrum and pelvis. The technique was developed the late Dr. Larry Webster, Founder of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA), in 1978. This technique is considered a safe means to restore proper pelvic structure and function for pregnant mothers.” The ICPA defines the procedure by saying, “The Webster Technique is defined as a specific chiropractic analysis and adjustment that reduces interference to the nerve system and facilitates biomechanical balance in pelvic structures, muscles and ligaments. This has been shown to reduce the effects of intrauterine constraint, allowing the baby to get into the best possible position for birth.”

The results of this case study documented that after 5 Webster In-Utero Constraint Technique adjustments were given to the patient over a 1 month period, an ultrasound was performed by the woman’s medical physician. The ultrasound confirmed that the baby had moved into the vertex position resulting in the planned cesarean section being cancelled. The patient had a vaginal delivery of a baby boy weighing 7lbs 8 oz without complications.

“Pregnancy Today” magazine describes themselves as “the journal for parents to be”. On June 13, 2004 they ran a story written by Patti Larson a mother and author, about her experiences while being pregnant and the help she received with Chiropractic care. She began the story by explaining the emotions she and her husband experienced when she found out for sure she was pregnant.

As a woman in her mid-30s having her first baby, she described her concerns and questions by asking, “When will morning sickness start? How long will I be able to work? Will I make it through delivery with little pain and swearing?” She also noted that her diet and sleep habits were good, but although she had great intentions, her exercise regime was less than desirable.

She did however, mention the one thing she saw as a big factor in helping her. “What ultimately saved me from suffering undue tiredness, aches and stress from my ballooning body shape and shifting hormones was chiropractic care.” She continued, “I already made regular visits to my chiropractor prior to pregnancy, so it seemed natural to continue. My chiropractor recommended I continue with weekly visits, adding that I should come in more often if I felt I needed it.”

Dr. Jeff Ptak, her chiropractor in Santa Monica, Calif., explained why chiropractic care made such a positive difference, during her pregnancy. “Chiropractic care addresses the functioning nervous system,” he said. “When the nervous system is not unduly stressed from environmental factors physical, emotional or chemical stress the body will work according to its unique genetic plan. A stressful birth will stress all parties involved and remain until the nervous system stress is cleared. Chiropractic, by allowing the body to handle stress, helps expecting mothers, new mothers and their newborn children handle life with greater ease.”

Leslie Stewart, a certified nurse-midwife also agrees. “Chiropractic care can actually help with labor. Some women who run past their due date have used treatment to help start labor, rather than having a hospital induce them.”

The article author, Patti Larson, noted that she not only continued care through her pregnancy, but also after the birth of her daughter Madeline. She concluded the article by saying, “Madeline received regular adjustments her second week after entering the world. She never had colic, ear infections, colds or any symptoms of sickness throughout her first 12 months of life when children are often most susceptible. Some people cringe when I tell them she sees a chiropractor, yet everyone agrees that she is one of the most alert, active babies they have ever seen. Some say I’m lucky, but I tell them it’s really very simple just stay well adjusted!”

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are medications that treat inflammation, pain, and fever. There are several different types of NSAIDs. Some are available over-the-counter (aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen sodium, and ketoprofen) and others can only be obtained by prescription. A new study published in the August 16, 2003 British Medical Journal finds that prenatal use of NSAIDs and aspirin increased the risk of miscarriage.

The study, based on a sample size of 1,055 pregnant women, points to a five times more likely risk of a miscarriage in women who took NSAIDs at the beginning of their pregnancies compared to women who took them later in their pregnancies. According to the study, there is an 80 per cent increase in the chance of a miscarriage in women who took these NSAIDs at any point in their pregnancy. The researchers also found that the risk increased when the drugs were used for longer than one week but these risks were not affected by other factors such as drinking alcohol or coffee.

Researcher De-Kun Li from the Kaiser Foundation Research Institute in Oakland, California where the study was conducted says that there was a “striking contrast” between the effects of acetaminophen and that of NSAIDs in the results of this study.

This new study follows up on a study at the University of Aarhus in Denmark in 2001 in which researchers examined patients’ medical records and the national birth registry. The team found an association between miscarriages after 28 weeks and NSAID usage in the weeks immediately before the miscarriage.

Pharmacologist Andy Gray of Natal University’s Nelson Mandela School of Medicine in South Africa suggests, “Women should avoid non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs during pregnancy and not take anything without consulting their doctor.”

On April 2, 2004 the TV station WOAI from San Antonio Texas ran a special during their news program with Chiropractic advice for pregnant women. The feature started by noting, “Studies have found that about half of all expectant mothers will develop low-back pain at some point during their pregnancies.” The article explained this by saying that during pregnancy, a woman’s center of gravity almost immediately begins to shift forward to the front of her pelvis.

Additionally as the baby continues to grow, the pregnant woman’s weight is projected even farther forward, and the curvature of her lower back is therefore increased. This places extra stress on the spinal disks. As a result, the normal curvature of the upper spine increases, as well.

The article notes a series of tips from the American Chiropractic Association, these include:

Try exercising at least three times a week, gently stretching before and after exercise.

Wear flat, sensible shoes.

When picking up children, bend from the knees, not the waist.

Get plenty of rest.

Sleep on your side with a pillow between your knees to take pressure off your lower back.

If you have to sit at a computer for long hours, make your workstation ergonomically correct.

Eat small meals or snacks every four to five hours-rather than the usual three large meals-to help keep nausea or extreme hunger at bay.

The feature also recommends chiropractic care for pregnancy. They conclude, “Before you become pregnant, your doctor of chiropractic can detect any imbalances in the pelvis or elsewhere in your body that could contribute to pregnancy discomfort or possible neuromusculoskeletal problems after childbirth.”

A research article published on February 2, 2010 in the scientific periodical, the Journal of Pediatric, Maternal and Family Health, documented the case study of a pregnant woman whose breech pregnancy was corrected with chiropractic care. This case study involved a 35 year old woman who was pregnant with her third child. She had recently been to her OBGYN for an ultrasound, which showed the male fetus to be in a breech position.

The woman, now in her 31st week of pregnancy, had also been experiencing pain in her pelvis just 2 weeks earlier. Because of this pain she was forced to discontinue her daily exercise regimen which included running three miles per day. She described the pain as more of a pressure in her pelvis as opposed to a pain. In addition, the woman reported that she had gained more weight with this pregnancy than with either of her two previous pregnancies and she was experiencing heartburn and acid reflux.

The woman went for a chiropractic examination after having done some research on the Internet where she found some information about breech pregnancies being helped with specific forms of chiropractic care. Her examination showed some postural irregularities indicating some spinal involvement. In addition, bilateral surface temperature measurements and surface EMG tests also showed asymmetry indicating spinal involvement.

Based upon the chiropractic examination findings care was initiated using the “Webster Technique”, a specific chiropractic technique used in breech pregnancy when certain examination findings are present. The case study noted that the Webster Technique has been shown to have high rates of success, based on a previous survey of 112 chiropractic practitioners who utilized the Webster Technique in their offices. In that survey study 92% of the cases had resolution of breech presentation, and of this 88% resulted in unassisted vaginal births.

In this case, the woman received seven Webster Technique adjustments over the course of a three week period. An ultrasound was performed by the patient’s obstetrician after the patient’s fifth adjustment, showing that the fetus had successfully moved into a normal vertex position. The patient gave birth to the 7 pound 12 ounce boy vaginally after an uncomplicated 12 hour labor five days earlier than the baby’s projected due date and approximately one month after the mother had started chiropractic care.

In the October 8, 2002 issue of the online magazine “The Beacon Journal” at Ohio.com, appears a story with the simple headline, “Adjusting baby”. The story talks about pregnant women’s success in going to chiropractors as part of their care. The article states that many women who go to chiropractors during pregnancy do so for back pain related issues. The misconception is that we treat pain,’ says Dr. Joseph Medina, an Ohio chiropractor. “My job in health care is to find pressure that’s in the spinal column and take it off. When I do that, back pain tends to clear up.”

Additionally, the article highlights that more women are going to chiropractors for a procedure known as the Webster technique. This technique is specifically intended to help women who have a breech pregnancy when the baby should be positioned with the head downward. Dr. Jeanne Ohm, a chiropractor from Philadelphia and executive coordinator and instructor for the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association, described the Webster technique this way: “It’s a specific chiropractic adjustment that removes interferences of the nervous system, balances out pelvic muscles and ligaments, which in turn removes constraint to the woman’s uterus and allows the baby to get into the best possible position for birth.”

The article ended with a response from the patient who originally went to the chiropractor for the pain she was experiencing. Her comments about her results were, “In the morning, my back would hurt so bad it would be hard to walk,” she stated. “Now it’s not bad at all. I really think it’s helping.”

From the January 16, 2012, issue of the Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health is a case study that documents the successful outcome of a case of breech pregnancy with chiropractic care. Breech presentation is when the fetus in positioned for delivery feet-first, instead of the correct “vertex” head-first position.

In this case study, a 33-year-old woman was 8 months pregnant with her second child. Her first birth was normal with no problems reported. The woman had been seeing a midwife during the pregnancy who determined that the child was breech late in the woman’s pregnancy. The woman was directed to see a chiropractor who works with pregnant women.

A chiropractic examination was performed with thermal scans and surface EMG scans showing asymmetry in the lower spine. It was determined that muscle spasm and subluxations were present. Chiropractic care was initiated using a specific technique known as Webster technique, along with specific adjustments to correct the subluxations present.

The results of this case documented that after the ninth adjustment the baby was in the normal vertex position. Shortly after this, the mother was able to deliver her baby normally without any complications.

This case study also reported on seven previously published cases in which there was a documented resolution of breech pregnancy using chiropractic care. Additionally, the report noted a retrospective study of 104 pregnant women all being helped under chiropractic care.

In their conclusion, the study authors summed up this case with advice by saying, “When a pregnant mother with a breeched infant is faced with a course of action that could impact her and her childs life forever, all options must be explored. The traditional medical routes are effective, yet come along with some very serious risks that must be considered. Although more research needs to be done on the Webster Technique and chiropractic care during pregnancy, they are both extremely safe and effective ways to alter fetal position to allow for the best delivery possible.”

Two news stories chronicled chiropractic helping pregnant women during their times of physical change. One of the stories appeared on the website of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch on July 2, 2007 and followed a second time mother who was suffering from lower back pain caused by her pregnancy. The second story was from the May 22, 2007 Asheville Citizen-Times and reported on a four time mother who had been under chiropractic care regularly to help prevent problems and make the experience healthier.

The St. Louis story followed the plight of Tykita Bethley who was suffering from what she referred to as usual aches and pains during her first pregnancy four years ago. She stated, “My back hurt, and then once I had my daughter, it hurt even more, especially on the right side.” Then during her second pregnancy she added, “My back hurt like crazy then, too, but I had accepted my back pain for the longest time.”

Tykita went to the Pregnancy Clinic at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, a facility that is set up to help study the effect of chiropractic care and exercise on pregnant women. She started care at week 27 and continued throughout the remainder of her pregnancy. She received stretching exercises and chiropractic adjustments. The result was that she became nearly pain free. I can’t tell you,” Tykita stated, “I feel so much better.

In the second story out of Asheville, NC, Wendi Lonabaugh is an ongoing chiropractic patient who was under care to prevent the problems she had with previous pregnancies. She noted that chiropractic made a difference and unlike her previous pregnancies, she did not have any sciatic pain this time, she commented, “It makes sense when you think about it.

The Asheville Citizen-Times also reported that according to the N.C. Chiropractic Association, more than 25 million people visited chiropractors last year. They noted that the number of people receiving chiropractic services has doubled in the past 20 years, and they estimate that the number will double again by 2010.

The article also reported on cyclist Patricia Pinner, who uses chiropractic to help improve her performance. The article reports that Pinner estimates that 90 percent of the women on the Asheville Women’s Cycling team see a chiropractor. “The whole keeping your spine in alignment is necessary for total health,” she said. “When you are trying to compete, total health needs to be as good as it can be.”

From the June 2009 issue of the scientific periodical the Journal of Clinical Chiropractic Pediatrics comes a case study that documents the improvement of pelvic pain in a pregnant woman with chiropractic care. In this case a 28-year-old female, 32 weeks pregnant, came into a chiropractic office with the chief complaint of sharp, stabbing pain starting at the left sacroiliac joint and radiating into her left thigh.

In this case the woman was in her third pregnancy and did not have pain problems with her previous two pregnancies. However, in this pregnancy her pain was so severe that it was affecting her daily life. A chiropractic examination was performed and due to her pregnancy, no x-rays were taken. A diagnosis of pelvic subluxation was made and a plan of correction was determined.

The initial chiropractic care consisted of two visits a week for 4 weeks, one visit a week for 4 weeks and one visit every two weeks for a month. The results documented in this case study showed that the woman felt little or no change during the first week of care. However, during the second week of care she experienced a 50% reduction in her pain.

Unfortunately during the fourth week of care, the woman reported that she had fallen backwards over a chair and felt the pelvic and leg pain return almost immediately with the same intensity as before. However, with an increase in frequency of her adjustments she was feeling 90% improvement by the 6th week. After the 8th week of care, she delivered a health baby boy.

There was no return of her pelvic pain after her delivery. She occasionally experienced some dull lower back pain as her body returned to a normal state, but these episodes were mild and helped with chiropractic. The study noted that 4 months after delivery, the woman remains pain free.

A study published in the January 26, 2012, issue of the Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health reported that 70 percent of woman with abnormal fetal position pregnancies reported a correction of the fetal position. This study comprised 81 pregnant women with breech pregnancies late in their pregnancy.

The study authors begin by noting that between 25 and 30 percent of all pregnancies are breech (feet first) presentation by the end of the 28th week of pregnancy. However, that number drops dramatically by the 34th week with only about 3-4 percent reaching term with the breech presentation. The risk to the mother and baby is between three to four times higher for a breech birth than for a normal vertex birth delivery.

This study reviewed the results of 24 independent Doctors of Chiropractic who had seen 81 pregnant women who presented for care with a breech presentation. The determination of a breech presentation was made on average at 31.8 weeks of pregnancy. The women’s average age was 32.4 years.

The results of the study showed that by the 36th week, 70 percent of the women in the study had their pregnancy turn to a normal vertex position. A number of the women had used other forms of natural care in conjunction with the chiropractic. These other forms of care included slant board, crawling exercises, hip and pelvic movements and acupuncture. The only consistent care present in this study was the chiropractic care which all the women were receiving.

In their discussion, the authors discussed the overall growing evidence that chiropractic care is helpful for women with breech pregnancies, and noted, “With the continued popularity of chiropractic to address NMS (neuro-musculo-skeletal) complaints in the general population and for pregnancy related complaints in particular, there is now a growing body of literature documenting that pregnant patients may also derive benefits from chiropractic care beyond these NMS complaints.”