Chiropractic ???

Body: 

I started seeing a Chiropractor 4 days post-partum because I was having constant headaches (totally natural homebirth) He took some x-rays and said that my lumbar curve is TOO much of a curve - which he said is a common thing after pregnancy. Everything I'm reading on here seems to say that lack of lumbar curve is the problem, what about having too much curve? Or is my chiropractor just wrong? Can chiropractic help with proper spinal allignment, posture, etc?

Thanks for any help,

Monica

Monica,

My information comes from the science of orthopedics, which has studied this area and found, much to their surprise, too, that the female spine actually pulls back in advanced pregnancy to balance the large weight out in front. This has been identified as the primary cause of lower back (SI) and pubic bone pain in pregnant women. I cannot comment further about your personal condition or the information you got from your chiropractor. I will say that there is a natural curvature to your spine that you can locate yourself. It may be more or less curved than the "average." Try this:

In the standing position bend over so that your torso is at right angles to your legs (don't lock your knees.) Feel the end of your tailbone with your fingertips. Now slowly stand up while still feeling your tailbone. It should be in the exact same position as when you were bent over and your lower back should not feel like it is curved too far one way or the other. Now...draw your head up and slightly forward while keeping your shoulders down (not back!). What you are doing is stretching into the natural curvatures of your spine, which should feel very good.

Now try to imagine pulling your vagina and rectum up and back toward your sacrum while at the same time pushing your bladder over your pubic bone. This is the posture that will help the most in realigning the organs. The ten minute exercise program plus a daily walking program using the posture will help even more.

That's it!

:-)Christine

THANK YOU Christine!

A question about walking. I live in a very non-walking friendly environment unfortunately. As my living situation isn't going to change any time soon - sadly - I have been looking at walking machines that claim to give you a no impact experience. Do you have any thoughts on these types of exercise machines?

Thanks!!!

Monica

Hi Monica,

This seems like such a simple question, but really has very deep implications! The simple answer to your question is no, I don't know about these machines but assume they would give your muscles a good workout.

The deeper answer is that scientists are discovering that the human body is a "tensegrity" type organism (have you heard of Buckminster Fuller and his geodesic domes?...he coined that term) where tension is dispersed evenly throughout our entire structure, like a wire-spoked bicycle wheel.

Our body "grew up" to be this way from walking over irregular geographic terrain barefoot or in soft-soled shoes. This forces all of the body's resources...muscles, tendons, bones, fascia, and even the structure of our inner ear to act like a gyroscope to constantly keep our balance. This in turn allows gravitational pressures to be constantly distributed to all proper anatomical points on the many sets of joints in our body. When we walk on hard, flat surfaces (EVERYWHERE in our towns and cities) pressures are often forced onto the joints over and over and over, eventurally causing uneven wear and tear.

It sounds like the "low impact" nature of the machines you are considering might help in this regard...but as often as you can, go to a hilly park or beach, take off your shoes, and give your feet - and therefore the rest of your body - a good workout.

;-)Christine