Pregnancy is a unique time of life when women seek to modify their lifestyle and adopt healthy practices. These changes are motivated by a desire to meet the physical, emotional and social demands of motherhood. They may also be motivated by a desire to improve the health of their baby. Achieving these goals can be aided by messages that encourage women to visit their healthcare professionals, such as chiropractic care, and acupuncture.
Many women find that undergoing chiropractic treatment during pregnancy is highly beneficial to their overall well-being, including the health of their unborn babies. This article describes how a massage program in Swedish community-based primary healthcare centres (CHCs) can serve as an effective delivery mechanism for this purpose, leveraging the existing services of professional prenatal massage practitioners and using the ‘presence of touch’ to convey important health information to women and their partners.
The word ‘chiropractor’ comes from the Greek words cheir (meaning ‘hand’) and praktikos (meaning ‘practiced by hand’). Chiropractors are regulated health care professionals who use their hands to examine, diagnose and treat health conditions related to the bones, muscles and joints (musculoskeletal problems). They are trained to recommend exercises and dietary and lifestyle advice. They are also able to advise patients on how to manage their conditions with home care and exercise. Chiropractors are active members of the broader health care community and are often involved in projects led by institutions, such as hospitals and government bodies, or international organizations, such as WHO.
In a recent study, researchers from NWHSU used a mixed methods approach to evaluate the effect of a massage programme on maternal and infant health outcomes. They observed and interviewed nurses, physiotherapists, midwives and massage practitioners at two CHCs in Sweden, as well as mothers, fathers and their babies. The researchers used a qualitative methodology to collect data from a total of 84 women, and a quantitative methodology to assess mothers’ perceptions of their experiences with the Salut programme.
Massage is a type of manual medicine that involves manipulating the soft tissues of the body, such as the muscles, ligaments and tendons. It is a common part of complementary and alternative medicine, which is practiced alongside traditional Western medicine. In addition to being a soothing and relaxing experience, it can help ease pain and reduce stress and tension. It can also boost circulation and increase flexibility.
A number of studies have shown that massage can reduce nausea in pregnant women. It can also be useful in reducing pain caused by low back and neck problems, such as sciatica, sprains and headaches. In addition, it can be beneficial in promoting a healthy pregnancy by helping to alleviate the symptoms of pre-eclampsia, such as high blood pressure and possible changes in the liver, kidney or blood-clotting systems.
A massage can be very relaxing for a pregnant woman, but it is important to avoid certain positions during a treatment. It is also a good idea to tell your massage therapist and chiropractor about any medical conditions or medications you are taking. For more information on how you can benefit from prenatal massage and chiropractic care visit https://www.atlantachiropractor.net/.