by Dr. Andrea Sylvester
Providing chiropractic care for mothers requires insight and understanding as well as expertise. During pregnancy, a woman may experience lower back pain, but discomfort can shift to the upper body after the baby arrives. Why? Think of a mother holding and breastfeeding a baby, offering a bottle or pacifier, or carrying a growing child in one arm. She may lift and set down her child many times throughout the day (and night). These activities can place extra stress on the neck and upper back, sometimes causing a condition called upper cross syndrome.
What Is Upper Cross Syndrome?
Upper cross syndrome is a postural disorder involving tightness and imbalances in the neck, shoulder, and chest muscles. Symptoms may include pain in these areas along with headaches; some women even experience tingling or numbness in their arms.
What to watch for? When feeding an infant, a mom may lean forward to cradle her child, resulting in a forward-head, rounded-shoulder posture. This position causes tightness in the front of the neck and chest, while the upper back muscles gradually weaken. At the same time, as a mother leans over to lift a growing child, the repetitive action results in muscle strain and imbalance – especially if she usually lifts from the same side.
Over time, a mother of young children may experience chronic pain and dysfunction – including less mobility – in the neck, shoulders, and mid-back. She may find herself adopting a forward-head posture along with rounded shoulders instead of sitting or standing up straight with her head and neck in line with her body and shoulders squared. This forward tendency also weakens core muscles, which again contributes to back pain.
Chiropractic Care for Mothers
If you are a mom experiencing these kinds of pain and mobility issues, chiropractic care can offer a safe, natural, nondrug solution. Our first step is to understand your symptoms and the repetitive motions that may be causing the problem. Then, we may recommend a spinal adjustment or manipulation to realign your vertebrae, ensuring proper function and communication along the nerves. Soft tissue work is another type of therapy that can help loosen your muscles to offer relief. Finally, we may recommend at-home stretches to ease tight muscles, strengthen weak muscles, and return range of motion. Our team can also offer tips on proper posture and lifting techniques as you care for your child.
Mothers are very busy people! It may be hard to juggle daily responsibilities and care for yourself. Remember that it’s essential to prioritize your own health so that you have the energy to care for your family. We’re here to support you.
Dr. Andrea Sylvester at our Bronston Onalaska Clinic understands the unique needs of women and moms, offering expert care and empathy. Her patients appreciate her ability to listen, and her personalized, results-oriented treatments help them get back in motion quickly. Dr. Andrea specializes in chiropractic care along with soft tissue and other techniques. Contact us today or call 608.781.2225 to schedule an appointment. Same- or next-day time slots are usually available.
