Chiropractic After a C-Section
By Sara Butler
Cesarean section (C-section) births have become very common. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over one million babies are born via C-section every year. A C-section is major abdominal surgery, right on the heels of a period of time where your body has undergone a vast change in a relatively short period of time. Here are just a few of the ways that your chiropractor can help you through your recovery process after a C-section.
Back Pain
Most women experience back pain associated with pregnancy, but if you have a C-section you may have an increased risk due to the anesthesia used during the procedure that is administered directly into the spine. With the help of spinal manipulation, your chiropractor can help your body to recover and also treat the inflammation and muscle tension that may be at the root of your pain. Plus, they can help your post-pregnancy ligaments and tendons to settle back to where they belong, helping to keep your joints healthy.
Self-Care
Seeing your doctor, and your doctor of chiropractic, after a C-section is really important, but as a new mom you should also make sure to practice self-care in order to be at your best for you and the new member of your family. To care for yourself the right way, you should heed your chiropractor’s advice to:
- Rest – Recovery is not a race, and you’ve just been through something pretty major, so make sure you listen to what your body is trying to tell you and rest when you need to.
- Eat fiber – After surgery, your bowel movements might be a little wonky, which means you need to make sure you’re drinking plenty of water and eating a diet full of fiber in an effort to keep things moving along!
- Exercise – Regular exercise is important to your physical and mental health, but don’t do too much too fast. Make sure you get released by your doctor to exercise and then speak with your chiropractor about how to build up your exercise routine to where you’d like to be. Taking your new baby for walks is a great place to start.
One of the best things about chiropractic care after surgery is it’s natural, so you don’t have to worry about how chiropractic treatments may impact the health of your new baby.
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic.