Let’s face it. Motherhood can wreak havoc on your body. From lifting and carrying little ones throughout the day to lugging around all their gear when you leave the house, even super mom can suffer from muscle aches, headaches, and lower back pain. But, by taking time to care for yourself, you can once again feel super.
Chiropractic Care Helps with ‘New Mommy Syndrome’
Whether you are a first time mom or a first time grandma, your body can pay a major price if you don’t show it the same love and care as your baby’s. The following familiar list of typical mommy “activities” can make any mommy experience pain, injury, or discomfort:
- Breast or bottle feeding with poor posture
- Carrying infant car seats
- Lugging extra weight with ever-growing babies
- Utilizing infant carriers
- Lifting older children out of the car seat, bath, stroller, etc.
Additionally, there may be some things you’re not doing that can further tax your well-being:
- Not sleeping enough
- Not consistently exercising, especially strength training
- Neglecting to prepare healthy meals due to lack of time
If any of the above sounds familiar to you, it may be time to visit a chiropractor.
Carrying Kids: The Right Way
In other countries, it is not uncommon to see a woman balancing a basket of food on her head while carrying a child on her back. In these cultures, lower back pain is almost unheard of. What are they doing differently?
Holding your child in a way that benefits both of you is the key. Position your child as close to your spine or midline as possible and engage your largest muscles to take on the additional weight. For most women, this means holding the child on your side with their legs wrapped around you and using your bicep to support them. In addition to keeping your shoulders open, this position helps you avoid strain on your neck, and allows you to breathe better which moves more oxygen through your body and prevents muscles from tiring faster. If you also keep the palm of your hand facing up, you will increase circulation throughout your arm. Not only does this carrying position reduce the load on your body, but it also improves your child’s posture.
Mom’s Need TLC Too
According to a study published in Orthopedic Clinics of North America, 85% of Americans will suffer from chronic lower back pain at some point in their lives. Instead of turning to pain relievers and muscle relaxants, a chiropractor’s approach is to focus on the underlying causes of the pain. Visiting a chiropractor on a regular basis will help your back remain properly aligned, and help you stay in better shape overall. If you are ready to feel more like super mom, call Dr. Knight today!