Dr Lindon Garske
BSc MChiro DIANM
Drawing by Deb Garske
Infertility and Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic care is health maintenance of the spinal column, discs, related nerves and bone geometry without drugs or surgery. It involves the art and science of adjusting misaligned joints of the body, especially of the spine, thus reducing spinal nerve stress and therefore promoting health.
Is Chiropractic Care Safe for Women with Infertility Issues?
Chiropractic care is a safe and natural approach to enhancing the body’s ability to function properly. This is accomplished by enhancing the function of the Master Control System of the body, the nervous system.
There are no known contraindications to chiropractic care throughout pregnancy. All chiropractors are licensed to work with women who are pregnant. Investing in the fertility and pregnancy wellness of women who are pregnant or trying to conceive is a routine matter for most chiropractors. How does Chiropractic Care benefit women with fertility issues? Your body is an amazing creation that can accomplish numerous miraculous tasks including creating new life. These miraculous tasks are accomplished under the direction of the nervous system. The nervous system is the master communication system of the entire body. In many cases, fertility issues may be associated with improper nervous system function, poor nutrition, high stress, and poor lifestyle habits. Chiropractors are nervous system specialists and reducing interference in the nervous system is their primary goal. Keeping the spine properly aligned, clearing the nervous system of excessive interference, and counseling patients on nutrition, exercise, and changes to lifestyle make the chiropractor one of your best options to help your body function in harmony with the way it was designed. Also, note that chiropractic care can be used in conjunction with other accepted approaches to resolving infertility concerns and can greatly improve the chances of successful medical procedures such as In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). Is Chiropractic Care Expensive? Chiropractic care is a cost-effective approach to improving health and well-being. With the cost of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) ranging from $10,000 to $20,000 per attempt, chiropractic care has the potential of saving patients a large amount of money by helping them avoid the need for IVF entirely, or by reducing the number of IVF attempts needed to achieve conception. Why should I have chiropractic care during pregnancy? During pregnancy, there are several physiological and endocrinological changes that occur in preparation for creating the environment for the developing baby. The following changes can result in a misaligned spine or joints:
- Protruding abdomen and increased back curve- Pelvic changes- Postural adaptations- Establishing pelvic balance and alignment is another reason to obtain chiropractic care during pregnancy. When the pelvis is misaligned it may reduce the amount of room available for the developing baby. This restriction is called intrauterine constraint. A misaligned pelvis may also make it difficult for the baby to get into the best possible position for delivery. This can affect the mother’s ability to have a natural, non-invasive birth. Breech and posterior positions can interfere with the natural ease of labor and lead to interventions such as c-sections. The nervous system is the master communication system to all the body systems including the reproductive system. Keeping the spine aligned helps the entire body work more effectively. What are the benefits of chiropractic care during pregnancy? Chiropractic care during pregnancy can provide benefits for women who are pregnant.Potential benefits of chiropractic care during pregnancy include:
- Maintaining a healthier pregnancy- Controlling symptoms of nausea- Reducing the time of labor and delivery- Relieving back, neck or joint pain- Preventing a potential cesarean delivery What about chiropractic care and breech deliveries? The late Larry Webster, D.C., Founder of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association(ICPA), developed a specific chiropractic analysis and adjustment which enables chiropractors to establish balance in the pregnant woman’s pelvis and reduce undue stress to her uterus and supporting ligaments. This balanced state in the pelvis has been clinically shown to allow for optimal fetal positioning. The technique is known as the Webster Technique. It is considered normal by some for a baby to present breech until the third trimester. Most birth practitioners are not concerned with breech presentations until a patient is 37 weeks along. Approximately 4% of all pregnancies result in a breech presentation. The Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics reported in the July/August 2002 issue an 82% success rate of babies turning vertex when doctors of chiropractic used the Webster Technique. Further, the results from the study suggest it may be beneficial to perform the Webster Technique, as soon as the 8th month of pregnancy, when a woman has a breech presentation. Currently, the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA) recommends women receive chiropractic care throughout pregnancy to establish pelvic balance and optimize the room a baby has for development throughout pregnancy. With a balanced pelvis, babies have a greater chance of moving into the correct position for birth, and the crisis and worry associated with breech and posterior presentations may be avoided altogether. Optimal baby positioning at the time of birth also eliminates the potential for dystocia (difficult labor) and, therefore, results in easier and safer deliveries for both the mother and baby. (Please visit the American Pregnancy Association for further information)
There are no known contraindications to chiropractic care throughout pregnancy. All chiropractors are licensed to work with women who are pregnant. Investing in the fertility and pregnancy wellness of women who are pregnant or trying to conceive is a routine matter for most chiropractors. How does Chiropractic Care benefit women with fertility issues? Your body is an amazing creation that can accomplish numerous miraculous tasks including creating new life. These miraculous tasks are accomplished under the direction of the nervous system. The nervous system is the master communication system of the entire body. In many cases, fertility issues may be associated with improper nervous system function, poor nutrition, high stress, and poor lifestyle habits. Chiropractors are nervous system specialists and reducing interference in the nervous system is their primary goal. Keeping the spine properly aligned, clearing the nervous system of excessive interference, and counseling patients on nutrition, exercise, and changes to lifestyle make the chiropractor one of your best options to help your body function in harmony with the way it was designed. Also, note that chiropractic care can be used in conjunction with other accepted approaches to resolving infertility concerns and can greatly improve the chances of successful medical procedures such as In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). Is Chiropractic Care Expensive? Chiropractic care is a cost-effective approach to improving health and well-being. With the cost of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) ranging from $10,000 to $20,000 per attempt, chiropractic care has the potential of saving patients a large amount of money by helping them avoid the need for IVF entirely, or by reducing the number of IVF attempts needed to achieve conception. Why should I have chiropractic care during pregnancy? During pregnancy, there are several physiological and endocrinological changes that occur in preparation for creating the environment for the developing baby. The following changes can result in a misaligned spine or joints:
- Protruding abdomen and increased back curve- Pelvic changes- Postural adaptations- Establishing pelvic balance and alignment is another reason to obtain chiropractic care during pregnancy. When the pelvis is misaligned it may reduce the amount of room available for the developing baby. This restriction is called intrauterine constraint. A misaligned pelvis may also make it difficult for the baby to get into the best possible position for delivery. This can affect the mother’s ability to have a natural, non-invasive birth. Breech and posterior positions can interfere with the natural ease of labor and lead to interventions such as c-sections. The nervous system is the master communication system to all the body systems including the reproductive system. Keeping the spine aligned helps the entire body work more effectively. What are the benefits of chiropractic care during pregnancy? Chiropractic care during pregnancy can provide benefits for women who are pregnant.Potential benefits of chiropractic care during pregnancy include:
- Maintaining a healthier pregnancy- Controlling symptoms of nausea- Reducing the time of labor and delivery- Relieving back, neck or joint pain- Preventing a potential cesarean delivery What about chiropractic care and breech deliveries? The late Larry Webster, D.C., Founder of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association(ICPA), developed a specific chiropractic analysis and adjustment which enables chiropractors to establish balance in the pregnant woman’s pelvis and reduce undue stress to her uterus and supporting ligaments. This balanced state in the pelvis has been clinically shown to allow for optimal fetal positioning. The technique is known as the Webster Technique. It is considered normal by some for a baby to present breech until the third trimester. Most birth practitioners are not concerned with breech presentations until a patient is 37 weeks along. Approximately 4% of all pregnancies result in a breech presentation. The Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics reported in the July/August 2002 issue an 82% success rate of babies turning vertex when doctors of chiropractic used the Webster Technique. Further, the results from the study suggest it may be beneficial to perform the Webster Technique, as soon as the 8th month of pregnancy, when a woman has a breech presentation. Currently, the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA) recommends women receive chiropractic care throughout pregnancy to establish pelvic balance and optimize the room a baby has for development throughout pregnancy. With a balanced pelvis, babies have a greater chance of moving into the correct position for birth, and the crisis and worry associated with breech and posterior presentations may be avoided altogether. Optimal baby positioning at the time of birth also eliminates the potential for dystocia (difficult labor) and, therefore, results in easier and safer deliveries for both the mother and baby. (Please visit the American Pregnancy Association for further information)
Our Mission
Our initial aim is to give you a clear diagnosis and understanding of your problem. If we think we can help, we will begin treatment, measuring improvements each step along the way.