Many women are under the incorrect assumption that the only medical treatments they can and should receive during pregnancy are through their Ob/Gyn. However, this is not necessarily the case. There are many alternative medicine options that you can utilize throughout your pregnancy in addition to your standard medical care to help alleviate pregnancy symptoms and keep you healthy and happy during this important time in your life.

Chiropractic Care

It is a common misconception that pregnant women should not go to the chiropractor. Nothing could be further from the truth. Chiropractic care during pregnancy is not only safe but can be highly beneficial. Chiropractors are all trained on appropriate techniques and treatments for expectant mothers. Some even receive addition certifications and training to work specifically with pregnant women.

Lower back pain, for example, is a common pregnancy symptom. This can be due to spinal misalignment due to your pregnancy or a pinched or displaced nerve. These conditions can result from the changes your body goes through as your baby grows. Luckily spinal manipulations and stretches used in chiropractic care can help alleviate your pain and discomfort, providing you with some much needed relief.

Additionally, chiropractic care can help relieve symptoms such as leg pain and swelling, pelvic misalignment, morning sickness and headaches that can accompany pregnancy. It has also been said that if your baby is breech, visiting a chiropractor can help to get your baby in the correct position for delivery, helping you avoid the necessity of a complicated delivery or c-section.

Prenatal Yoga

Yoga is another ancient practice that has been around for thousands of years. While yoga is an exercise program in a manner, it is also so much more. Yoga focuses on the connection between the mind and body, getting the two in sync to create an inner calm and peace. At no time in your life will you need inner calm and peace more than when you are pregnant. Stress is the enemy of a healthy pregnancy, after all.

Yoga’s focus on the mind/body connection will help you to be in tune with your body and its needs, while helping you to stay calm and relaxed. The exercises performed in your yoga practice will also keep your body flexible and pliable which will help alleviate many of the aches and pains pregnancy can bring. Make sure you work with a certified yoga instructor and do no perform any exercises that put undue strain or pressure on your abdominal region, and yoga will be nothing but beneficial to your pregnancy.

Just because you are pregnant does not mean you cannot utilize various alternative medicine options. In fact, alternative medicine options such as chiropractic care and yoga can effectively alleviate many of the symptoms associated with pregnancy.