 | Dr. Jennifer Peterson graduated Summa Cum Laude from Cleveland Chiropractic College in Kansas City. She was awarded the prestigious Clinic Service Award in recognition of dedicated commitment and service to patients at the Cleveland Chiropractic Health Clinic. Dr. Peterson has done post-graduate work and been certified in Meridian Therapy (Acupuncture) and Cox Flexion-Distraction technique. Dr. Peterson is originally from Winfield, KS. She graduated from Winfield High School and then attended the University of Kansas. After graduating with a degree in Spanish from KU, she moved to Kansas City to attend Cleveland Chiropractic College. Dr. Peterson worked as an associate doctor for a year in Jackson, Mississippi before returning to Kansas to be closer to family and open her own clinic. Dr. Peterson enjoys walking, rollerblading and spending time with her infant niece, Alivia. You may e-mail her petersonchiropractic@birch.net, or call her at Peterson Chiropractic at (316) 448-0398. |
Chiropractic Care
2004-12-01 10:02:00
Is chiropractic safe during pregnancy?
ANSWER:Chiropractic care is very safe for pregnant women. It is no doubt a frustrating situation when an expectant mother is dealing with a health condition but is unable to use medication or other traditional medical treatments to resolve the problem. Chiropractic treatments can help mobilize the low back area, which is under increasingly more stress as the mother's abdomen gradually grows larger throughout the pregnancy. Women under chiropractic care have been shown to have 24% shorter labor times, while mothers who have previously given birth have been shown to have a 39% reduction in their average labor time. In the case of breech babies, there are often "intra-uterine constraints" or space limitations of the uterus due to tight ligaments or improper positioning of the pelvic bones that inhibit the baby from turning in the womb. To correct this, some chiropractors have been trained in the Webster technique, which utilizes manipulation of the pelvic bones as well as loosening of the ligaments using manual pressure. In this way, the area is more relaxed and the baby is able to position itself for a safe delivery. Additionally, acupuncture can be used in conjunction with this technique for the same result. The most common reason that the baby would not turn following one or both of these procedures is that the cord is tangled or wrapped around the baby's neck. To ensure a safe delivery in this case, the baby would most likely be delivered by Caesarean. In order to achieve the maximum benefit from chiropractic care, I encourage women to receive care and to prepare their bodies for pregnancy even before they have conceived.
