Literature review
Pregnancy and chiropractic: a narrative review of the literature

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Abstract

Objective

The purpose of this article is to review the literature on the topic of chiropractic care during pregnancy.

Methods

A PubMed search was performed using the terms pregnancy and chiropractic. Sources were cross-referenced to obtain further articles and research information after reviewing the articles obtained through the search.

Results

Thirty-three references were used for this review. The current literature reports favorable results on the use of chiropractic care throughout pregnancy.

Conclusions

Chiropractic evaluation and treatment during pregnancy may be considered a safe and effective means of treating common musculoskeletal symptoms that affect pregnant patients. The scarcity of published literature warrants further research.

Introduction

Chiropractic care has typically included the care of pregnant patients to assure the patient a comfortable pregnancy and to help facilitate an uncomplicated labor and delivery. The literature describing the rationale for characteristics of care for this group of patients is sparse but growing. A few conducted studies support the care of pregnant patients, but the paucity of definitive literature has resulted in a lack of consensus in approaches to chiropractic care within the profession. This article provides a narrative review of the use of chiropractic care for women during pregnancy and labor in an attempt to summarize the chiropractor's role in the comanagement of the pregnant patient.

Section snippets

Methods

A search of relevant articles published in the English language was conducted using a PubMed (1987-2006) search. Medical subject headings used were the terms pregnancy and chiropractic. Key phrases searched were low back pain in pregnancy and Webster Technique. Bibliographies of all pertinent articles, after reviewing the current research articles obtained through this search, were then searched for additional references in older or non-indexed literature, and to obtain further articles and

Discussion

It has been reported that approximately 50% of all pregnant women experience back pain during their pregnancy and 50% to 75% of women experience back pain during labor.1., 2., 3. However, only 21% of pregnant women with back pain seek consultation with their medical physicians.2., 4. According to the 2005 Job Analysis of Chiropractic, surveyed chiropractors reported that they rarely treat pregnant women.5 However, of the pregnant population that the respondents did encounter in their practices,

Conclusion

Although chiropractic care typically includes the care of pregnant patients, the research literature is sparse. Biomechanical changes and stress to the neuromusculoskeletal system are present during and immediately after pregnancy. Chiropractic evaluation and treatment during this period may be warranted and considered a safe and effective means of treating common musculoskeletal symptoms that many pregnant patients encounter. The published evidence even suggests that regular chiropractic care

Acknowledgment

The author would like to express gratitude to Michael Wiles, DC, for his guidance, support, inspiration, and critical review throughout the process of publication of this review; and to Jim Hulbert, PhD, for his assistance in editorial counsel.

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