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Postpartum Back Pain

Postpartum Back Pain

by | Jun 2, 2020 | Advice, Informational, Injury, Pregnancy

Relief for New Moms: What You Need to Know About Postpartum Back Pain & How to Finally Get Some Relief!

Postpartum-related back pain is not uncommon. Up to 75% of women experience some sort of back pain after giving birth.

Are you experiencing back pain after pregnancy? Do you have soreness and nagging stiffness in your back from poor posture due to strained abdominal muscles?

Relieving postpartum back pain might take a back seat to caring for your new baby, but there is help out there. Chiropractic care for postpartum back pain might be just what you need to relieve your postpartum back pain!

If postpartum back pain is the last thing you have time to deal with right now, keep reading to find out what you need to know to get relief!

Postpartum Back Pain

Some women suffer from back pain during pregnancy and some women experience back pain immediately following childbirth.

This is because pregnancy hormones loosen up in your joints and ligaments. Couple that with carrying the extra baby weight, pushing during labor, and picking up your newborn and it wreaks havoc on your back.

How Long Does Postpartum Back Pain Last? 

Postpartum back pain can last for weeks or even months after giving birth. Your body stretched and grew to make room for your baby and now it is slowly trying to go back to normal. This can cause a lot of pain in your hips and lower back.

In addition to all of that, you are lifting and bending to take care of your newborn. You may be too exhausted and too busy to stretch and keep up with regular exercise to keep the pain away.

The longer you neglect your body, the longer the pain may last.

Natural Relief for Postpartum Back Pain

Rather than relying on medications to relieve back pain, there are some natural treatments that will have you feeling better. Let’s take a look at a few.

1. Pelvic Tilts 

Start off your morning with some pelvic tilts to stretch and strengthen your lower back muscles. Lie on the floor and bend your knees. Your feet should be flat on the floor.

Lift your hips and squeeze your buttocks. Start off slowly and work up to ten every morning.

2. Be Mindful of Your Posture

While carrying and breastfeeding the baby, check that you are practicing good posture. Keep your shoulders down and back and keep your back straight.

3. Be Careful When Lifting and Carrying

You’ll do a lot of lifting and carrying after the baby is born…baby, baby carrier, and diaper bag. Remember to lift with your legs and distribute weight evenly.

4. Chiropractic for Postpartum Back Pain

A chiropractor can restore your pelvic balance and adjust your back through chiropractic manipulation.

Get the Relief You Need  

Now that you know how to find relief from postpartum back pain, don’t hesitate to give us a call. We at Amazing Life Chiropractic and Wellness offer natural and reliable pain relief.

Book an appointment today. We’ll have you fixed up and feeling better with our excellent care and outstanding service.

Coccyx Pain Treatment

Coccyx Pain Treatment

by | May 14, 2020 | Advice, Injury, Pregnancy, Weight-Loss, Wellness

Understanding Coccyx and Tailbone Pain, Causes, and Treatment

The spine is made up of 33 individual bones. More specifically, they’re divided into four main regions—the cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacrum spine.

At the bottom of the spine is the coccyx aka tailbone. While it’s considered vestigial (aka no longer necessary), it does have a few important functions.

That is, it serves as the insertion site for tendons, ligaments, and muscles. In addition to that, it supports you while you’re sitting.

Like the rest of the body, however, it can be affected by various conditions.

What causes coccyx and tailbone pain? How can you treat it? Want to know? If so, be sure to read the rest of the post!

Where is the Coccyx/Tailbone?

The tailbone is made up of four small bones that are fused together at the bottom of the spine. Triangular in shape, it is located just below the sacrum.

In fact, it connects with the bony structure through the sacrococcygeal joint. When you move, there is also a slight movement between the sacrum and the coccyx.

What Causes Pain in Your Coccyx?

A number of things can cause coccyx pain. For example, the tailbone can start hurting if you sit on a hard chair or bench for a long period of time.

Injuries such as falls can also cause bruising. In some cases, it can even lead to fractures.

While anyone can experience tailbone problems, those who are overweight are more prone to issues. For one thing, more weight puts extra stress on the coccyx. 

How to Treat Coccyx Pain

Assuming that there’s no fracture, the pain should go away on its own within a couple of weeks. In the meantime, there are over-the-counter medications that you can take to relieve the pain.

Aside from that, you can apply heat or ice, both of which should help with the discomfort. The way you sit matters as well—that is, you want to make sure that your feet are flat on the ground and that your back is pressed against the chair.

There are also donut-shaped pillows that you can get that’ll help relieve pressure from the tailbone area.

Chiropractic Treatment for Tailbone/Coccyx Pain

Depending on the injury, the tailbone can move out of alignment. When this happens, it can irritate the tissues and nerves around the area, which can be quite painful.

That’s where chiropractors come in. They’re able to fix the underlying problem by correcting the misalignment.

In addition to that, they might suggest massage therapy. Not only will that help reduce inflammation but it’ll also promote muscle recovery.

Understanding Coccyx and Tailbone Pain

Now you know all about how to treat coccyx and tailbone pain. Remember, you don’t always have to go for medications—there are many other options!

Are you in the Mill Creek, WA area? Looking for a chiropractic clinic? Feel free to reach out—we’d be happy to help!

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Back Pain During Pregnancy

Back Pain During Pregnancy

by | May 14, 2020 | Advice, Informational, Injury, Pregnancy

Chiropractic Relief for Pregnancy Back Pain

Pregnancy is one of the happiest times for a couple to experience.  There is the excitement of a new baby, the anticipation of the changes he or she will bring, and the hopefulness of a growing family.  As part of the changes a woman’s body will go through, back pain during pregnancy is quite common but chiropractic care can help through out the pregnancy to relief the aches and pains.

What Are the Causes of Pregnancy Back Pain? 

If you think about it, it’s no wonder you are experiencing discomfort…you are gaining weight in an isolated area very quickly, your center of gravity is shifting, and you are undergoing hormonal changes meant to assist in the birthing process.  Usually starting in the second half of pregnancy, many women begin to feel pain in their lower back and pelvis at the sacroiliac joint.

This pain can begin after periods of standing or sitting with no breaks, following a restless night of sleep, or during stressful times and is caused by:

  • Weight gain—a woman usually gains between 25 and 35 pounds during her pregnancy with most of it carried in the belly area putting additional stress on the lower back.
  • Shifting gravity—a woman’s “center of gravity” is in a constant state of flux during pregnancy as each day brings new weight gain, shifting posture, and possibly an altered gait.
  • Hormonal changes—Relaxing, a hormone meant to aid childbirth, causes muscles and ligaments in the pelvic region to loosen and relax so that the baby can be born more easily. This often causes pain in the back and spine as the relaxing muscles aren’t providing adequate support.

How to Relieve Back Pain

Understanding that back pain is common and isn’t an indication of something abnormal is a good first step in relieving unnecessary stress during a pregnancy.  Here are some good techniques to maintain back strength and help make the new Mom comfortable throughout her pregnancy:

  • Practice Using Good Posture
    • Stand straight
    • Keep your shoulders back
    • Use a wide stance for the best support
    • Sit using a chair that supports your back
    • Forget the high heels for now
    • Use good body mechanics when lifting
    • Sleep on your side
  • Gentle, moderate exercise helps by strengthening the back muscles and increasing flexibility—yoga is an excellent choice for pregnancy
  • Wearing a belly belt to support the weight
  • Warm baths and ice packs intermittently
  • Alternative therapies such as chiropractic care and massage

Chiropractic Care and Back Pain During Pregnancy

During pregnancy, chiropractic care can be beneficial in a number of ways, including alleviating back pain, as well as pain in the hips and joints.  Used in conjunction with massage and exercise, chiropractic care during pregnancy seamlessly harmonizes with whatever birthing method and care team you have chosen, i.e., traditional OB-GYN, midwifery.

Regular chiropractic visits can promote and establish pelvic balance and alignment creating a healthier environment for the baby and less pain for the mother during pregnancy.  In fact, there is research that suggests chiropractic care improves a woman’s ability to have a successful natural birth and reduce the time she is in labor.

In Mill Creek, Amazing Life Chiropractic and Wellness has compassionate and experienced providers available to answer your questions and to discuss a pregnancy-supportive care plan, including alleviating back, hip, and pelvic pain brought on by the pregnancy itself.  If you are seeking relief for the discomfort of back pain brought on by pregnancy, consider the benefits of managing that pain through chiropractic care.

All of us at Amazing Life Chiropractic and Wellness wish you a safe and happy pregnancy with terrific health and freedom of movement.  Please contact us at our Mill Creek location to discuss the natural and healthy benefits of chiropractic care during and after your pregnancy.

Babies with Sleeping Issues

Babies with Sleeping Issues

by | May 14, 2020 | Informational, Pregnancy, Sleep

Possible Reasons Why Your Baby Won’t Sleep (Plus, What You Can Do About It)

Does your baby have trouble sleeping? Are you wondering what you can do to help your baby sleep better?

If your baby is having trouble sleeping, this is a definite cause for concern. Sleep has a direct impact on babies‘ mental and physical development. If your baby is missing out on sleep, development in these areas may be stunted.

To help your baby get a better night’s sleep, you first need to know why he/she is struggling. Check out this guide to discover the reasons why your baby won’t sleep and what you can do about it.

Why Sleep is Important for Babies 

Before we talk about the reasons why your baby isn’t sleeping, let’s first talk about why sleep is so important for babies. As we mentioned in the intro, sleep is important for a baby’s physical and mental development.

Additionally, forming good sleep habits as a baby will carry over into the rest of one’s life. Also, we can’t forget that babies who do not get enough sleep tend to be fussy and cranky when they’re awake.

REM Sleep

But, to say that babies need sleep to be healthy isn’t enough. In particular, babies need REM sleep. REM stands for rapid eye movement, and this refers to the period of sleep in which your eyes quickly move in different directions. This is a light period of sleep that is often characterized by vivid dreams.

Babies spend about half of their sleep cycles in REM sleep.

REM sleep is important for humans at every age of life, but it’s especially important for babies. It’s during this sleep cycle that the brain regions used in learning are stimulated. REM sleep is also associated with increased protein production, which is important for helping your baby grow.

Why Your Baby Won’t Sleep 

Now that you know why sleep is so important for babies, let’s take a look at some of the reasons as to why your baby is struggling to fall asleep. Here are some reasons why:

  • Your baby is too hot/cold
  • Your baby is overstimulated
  • Your baby is hungry
  • Your baby is too tired/nap deprived
  • Your baby lacks routine
  • You’re interfering too quickly when your baby doesn’t fall asleep right away
  • Your baby is napping too late
  • Your baby is sleeping in different rooms
  • Your baby is transitioning through sleep cycles
  • Your baby is sleeping in the wrong position
  • Your baby is experiencing teething or growing pains
  • Your baby is sick
  • Your baby is suffering from a sleep disorder

As you can see, there are many reasons why your baby may be struggling to sleep.

How to Promote Better Sleep 

Luckily, there are things you can do to help promote better sleep in your baby. One of the most important things to do is to make sure that your baby is sleeping in the right position.

For a good night’s sleep, we recommend placing your baby on their back. Not only will this promote good sleep, but this will also ensure that your baby sleeps safely.

You may also want to consider gently massaging your baby to help him/her sleep. Or, you may want to consider taking your baby to a chiropractor to get adjusted which will improve parasympathetic nervous system which will ultimately help them sleep better.

Are You Ready to Help Your Baby Sleep? 

Now that you know why your baby won’t sleep, it’s time to take action. If you’ve tried all sorts of things to help your baby fall asleep but are still having difficulties, it may be time to take your baby to a chiropractor.

If you’re looking to schedule an appointment in the Mill Creek, Washington area, contact us today.

Acid Reflux in Infants

Acid Reflux in Infants

by | May 14, 2020 | Advice, Informational, Pregnancy, Sleep

Acid Reflux in Babies: What You Need to Know

Baby spit up is about as common as diaper changes. Whether you’re a new parent or have experience in raising little ones, getting acquainted with bodily fluids is just part of the job.

While it’s common for infants to spit up after a meal here and there, frequent vomiting and discomfort could point to something a little more sinister. Reflux in babies, also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) may require professional treatment by a doctor and a chiropractor.

Learn all about it GERD in this blog and the important steps to take as a parent.

What is Acid Reflux or GERD? 

Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) cause the upward movement of stomach content, which may include stomach acid. This stomach content is moved up through the esophagus and sometimes into the mouth, too. The difference between the two conditions is defined by the severity and frequency of reflux and vomiting in children.

Most infants experience acid reflux or GER in the first year of life and usually outgrow it around the 24-month mark. However, if symptoms persist for longer than this, your child could be suffering from GERD.

The Causes of Acid Reflux in Babies 

The development of this condition is linked to a poorly coordinated gastrointestinal tract. GER and GERD are most often associated with an infant’s immature digestive system which has not quite developed. In rare instances, infants with problems affecting nerves, brain function, and muscles can also develop GERD.

Common Symptoms to Watch For

If your infant struggles with acid reflux past their second birthday, it could point to the more serious condition, GERD. Here are the most common signs to look for:

  • A refusal to eat
  • Difficulty eating or swallowing
  • Wet burps and wet hiccups
  • Failure to maintain or gain weight
  • Abnormal arching of the back
  • Frequent coughing or recurrent bouts of pneumonia
  • Gagging or choking
  • Disturbed sleep

Bear in mind that acid reflux or GER usually peaks at the age of 4-months in infants. It should begin to resolve itself by 12-18 months. Any persistent symptoms after this may require medical diagnosis and care.

Acid Reflux Treatment and Feeding

Most infants may not require any medical treatment for acid reflux. However, there are few things you can do as a parent to manage the condition. Some of these steps include:

  • Smaller, more frequent feedings
  • Burp your baby during feedings to help facilitate the process
  • Make sure to hold your baby upright for 20-30 minutes after each feed, avoid laying them down
  • If not breastfeeding, consider changing the  type of formula for feeding
  • Use a different size nipple on feeding bottles to prevent your baby from swallowing air

It may also be wise for mothers to eliminate dairy products, eggs, and beef from their diets while breastfeeding. This is a good way to rule out whether your baby has an allergy to these foods. You can also add rice cereal to formula or breast milk to thicken it slightly to assist with feeding. However, this should be done in very small amounts.

How Chiropractic Care Can Help with GERD 

No matter how old you are, the body’s system needs to be able to communicate effectively in order to function. Spinal misalignment in infants and children cause nerve interference that affects this communication system. This can cause health problems such as GERD due to spinal misalignments near the stomach and esophagus.

Chiropractic care helps to gently realign the spine, correcting misalignments and restoring the body’s full ability to function. This could lead to a major reduction in GERD symptoms and even full recovery. If your baby is experiencing signs of GERD or acid reflux, please reach out to us.

Find Professional Infant Care with Amazing Life Chiropractic

Reflux in babies can be a harrowing experience as a parent. If you need professional care, Amazing Life Chiropractic is here to help.

We offer a full examination, gentle spinal realignment, as well as massage therapy, expert nutritional advice, and more. We’re conveniently located in Mill Creek, WA. Call us at (425) 737-5343 or fill out the form below to schedule your appointment.

Webster Technique

Webster Technique

by | Apr 3, 2020 | Chiro Modalities, Gut Health, Informational, Pediatric Chiropractic, Pregnancy

How Does the Webster Technique Work in Mill Creek, WA?

Every year, over six million women across the United States get pregnant. If you’re among them and living in Mill Creek, Washington, you may be wondering what your options are if your baby is struggling to get into a good position. There are a variety of ways chiropractors can help a woman throughout her pregnancy. One of them is to use the Webster technique to encourage the baby to get into a good position for birth.

Keep reading to learn more about how the chiropractic Webster technique can help you as a mom-to-be.

What is the Webster Technique?

The Webster technique is a type of chiropractic adjustment that focuses on properly aligning the pelvis and sacrum of the mother. This allows the uterus, as well, to be aligned so that the baby can easily find its way into an optimum position.

Because it doesn’t involve any direct manipulation of the baby, it’s among the safest ways to encourage a baby to turn on its own if the baby is not in an ideal position for birth. The Webster technique is most often used for babies that are breech, horizontal, or back-to-back.

Benefits of Proper Baby Positioning

There are three main benefits of ensuring your baby is in the ideal position for birth. Let’s take a closer look at each of these.

Lower Chance of Emergency C-section

One of the reasons an emergency Cesarian section is performed is that the baby is not in a good position. If this is not noticed until delivery or the baby gets into a bad position shortly before or during labor, a c-section may be needed to prevent the baby from getting stuck in the vaginal canal.

Less Need for Pain Relief

When your baby is in the optimal position, there is often less discomfort during labor because the baby is able to move through the birth canal the way they should. This is especially ideal for women who prefer a natural birth without the use of pain medications.

Faster Labor and Birth

The third advantage to ensuring your baby is in the best possible position is that your labor and birth can move more quickly which can also make it easier for both you and your baby. Once again, this is because the baby can move through the birth canal the way nature intended.

Where to Find a Webster Technique Chiropractor

Not all chiropractors have the training required to perform the Webster technique. For that reason, you need to make sure you ask about a doctor’s experience with pregnancy adjustments before visiting one.

It’s also best to go to a chiropractor throughout your pregnancy as doing the Webster Technique along with others can help prevent a baby from getting into a bad position in the first place. This technique is also more successful when performed earlier rather than after the baby is misaligned.

Looking for a Great Chiropractor for Expecting Mothers?

Now you know what the Webster technique is and can see how it can be extremely beneficial to helping your baby be ready so you can have a safer and more enjoyable birth experience.

If you live in or around Mill Creek, Washington, contact us today. We would love to answer any questions you may have about how our chiropractors can help you and your baby live an amazing life.