Exercise During Pregnancy, part 1
With the entire world watching the 2024 Olympic Games play out in real time, one major talking point has become women competing in the Games during their pregnancies. In fact, Egyptian fencer Nada Hafez and Azerbaijani archer Yaylagul Ramazanova both competed while seven and six-and-a-half months pregnant, respectively. In addition, marathon runner Maegen Krifchin competed at the 2024 US Olympic Trials at 7 months pregnant and heptathlete Lindsay Flach competed in the 2021 US Olympic trials at 18 weeks pregnant. While novel in the second and third trimester, women have been competing in the first trimester for many years. For example, US volleyball player Kerri Walsh Jennings competed in the 2012 Olympic Games while 5 weeks pregnant and tennis superstar Serena Williams won the 2017 Australian Open while 8 weeks pregnant with her first daughter.
So, how can chiropractic care help? Chiropractic care during pregnancy has been shown to demonstrate decreased low back and pelvic girdle pain (in an average of 4.5 days), reducing neck and shoulder pain associated with postural changes from pregnancy, and decreasing overall musculoskeletal pain.4-6 Chiropractors are uniquely capable of helping pregnant patients move better overall and with less pain. Discomfort during pregnancy is one of the main reasons women cite for not completing an exercise regimen,7-8so in summary, chiropractic care keeps you moving throughout your pregnancy!
References:
4. Stuber KJ, Smith DL. Chiropractic Treatment of Pregnancy-Related Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review of the Evidence. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics. 2008;31(6):447-454. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmpt.2008.06.009
5. CONNER SN, TRUDELL AS, CONNER CA. Chiropractic Care for the Pregnant Body. Clinical Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2021;64(3). doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/grf.0000000000000621
6. Weis CA, Pohlman K, Draper C, daSilva-Oolup S, Stuber K, Hawk C. Chiropractic Care for Adults With Pregnancy-Related Low Back, Pelvic Girdle Pain, or Combination Pain: A Systematic Review. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics. 2020;43(7). doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmpt.2020.05.005
7. Skjold I, Benvenuti MB, Haakstad LA. Why do so many pregnant women give up exercise? An Italian cross-sectional study. Women’s Health. 2022;18:174550572211179. doi:https://doi.org/10.1177/17455057221117967
8. Coll CVN, Domingues MR, Gonçalves H, Bertoldi AD. Perceived barriers to leisure-time physical activity during pregnancy: A literature review of quantitative and qualitative evidence. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport. 2017;20(1):17-25. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2016.06.007
