By Dr. Jossana Ghobryal, DC
Chiropractor at SportsMed Physical Therapy Union City
During pregnancy, many changes occur that affect the body tremendously – not only physically, but hormonally as well. During pregnancy, as the belly expands, the woman’s lumbar (lower back) curve begins to increase as the baby gets bigger. The pelvis also begins to change and shift in order to prepare for labor, which causes major changes in posture. The hormone relaxin is released to allow joints to become more relaxed in preparation for labor; however, this can also cause ligament laxity which eventually causes unstable joints.
While all of these changes happen with good reason, they can often cause pain and discomfort, especially in the lower back area. Chiropractic adjustments can help not only align the spine for proper posture, but also assist in relieving back pain.
Research has shown that chiropractic care during pregnancy may help relieve nausea, back pain, neck pain, and joint pain. Easing pain will help women sleep better, be able to sit for longer periods of time, and stimulate the parasympathetic system, which in return reduces stress.
Pelvic adjustments are made in order to realign the region so that the baby has the proper amount of space to grow and move around in. The baby having the proper space to move in helps a woman decrease her chances in having a complicated or invasive birth, as well as increase her chances of having a quicker and less painful time delivering.
Due to a woman’s growing belly, starting in the second trimester, certain body positions are contraindicated – including laying prone, a commonly used position for manual chiropractic adjustments. Therefore, chiropractors utilize a tool known as an Activator to adjust pregnant women safely and effectively.
The Activator is a small, hand-held device that releases a gentle impulse to a specific joint in order to produce a high-velocity, low-amplitude thrust. This is a gentle and effective way to treat pregnant women without using the traditional, manual way of adjusting. It is a precise and painless method that targets to restore mobility to specific areas.
In addition to manual adjustments, chiropractors can help pregnant women through targeted stretching and strengthening exercise to help mitigate changes in posture and increase instability.
A pregnant woman seeking chiropractic treatment should confirm her chiropractor has training and experience treating pregnant women before proceeding.
Dr. Jossana Ghobryal, DC received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ. She continued her education at Life University in Marietta, GA earning a Doctor of Chiropractic degree. Dr. Ghobryal completed her clinical internship at the Life University Outreach Chiropractic Clinic, in which she provided care for the under-served community of Cobb County and its surrounding areas. She is board certified by the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners, as well as board-certified in Physiotherapy.
Dr. Ghobryal’s primary focus is treating neuromuscular disorders by correcting the structural
alignment of the spine in order to improve and restore proper function to the human body. She has experience with treating patients of all age groups, including children, teens, pregnant women, and adults. As a chiropractor, Dr. Ghobryal loves to educate patients about their spinal health; she is especially fulfilled when a patient expresses excitement and gratitude that someone has taken the time to help them. Dr. Ghobryal is currently a chiropractor at SportsMed Physical Therapy in Union City.