The Value of Custom Orthotic Support for Perinatal Women
PREGNANCY
By
Laura T. Brayton
DC, CSP, CSCP, CACCP
As a maternity and pediatric chiropractor, I have the honor of supporting hundreds of families in my community in living healthier, happier lives. It is so rewarding to guide and care for women as they prepare for motherhood—physically, mentally, emotionally, and even spiritually. Since we know that body alignment is foundational for health and wellness, let�s take a moment to explore the massive changes that a woman�s body experiences during her pregnancy journey.
At the time of conception, relaxin hormone levels are increased in a woman�s body, which may begin to contribute to ligament laxity and joint hypermobility. In the first trimester, a woman�s relaxin hormone is at its highest levels to promote embryo implantation in the uterine wall and prevent miscarriage. As the pregnancy progresses, a woman�s weight gain creates an anterior pelvic tilt, which puts more stress on her spinal and pelvic alignment. Even the ligaments in the feet are impacted by the higher levels of relaxin hormone, and it is common for a woman to go up a shoe size during pregnancy because the joints of the feet separate or develop plantar fasciitis. Although the body has an amazing ability to compensate for the increased load, the sacroiliac joints are only held together by ligaments and, therefore, are most susceptible to the increased relaxin levels. During the third trimester of pregnancy, it is common to see women presenting with sacroiliitis and pubis symphysis dysfunction due to pelvic instability.
As a woman�s body adjusts to the normal, physiologic changes of pregnancy, it is imperative that she receives
support in her musculoskeletal alignment. When women in my practice utilize custom orthotics with corrections for all three arches throughout their pregnancies, I consistently observe a more balanced pelvis because the alignment of the feet is supported, which improves posture and decreased common pregnancy symptoms. These women have better gaits with decreased hip sway and �waddling� along with more energy and less pain. Additionally, with regular orthotic use, pregnant patients hold their chiropractic adjustments longer and refer more women to the practice for care because they are pleased with the results.
Too often, pregnant women are told to �live with� their back, pelvic, and hip discomfort by their OBGYN because it is assumed the pain will resolve after birth. The truth is that pregnant women deserve to thrive throughout their pregnancy. As chiropractors, we have a duty to provide education and information to this population who may not receive it from their birth provider so that they can make empowered choices regarding the health of themselves and their babies. Every new pregnant patient in my practice has her feet scanned to observe if there is any collapse in the three arches of the foot and, if so, to provide an awareness of stabilizing orthotic support that can be utilized in her athletic shoes, dress shoes, flipflops, and even slippers. After giving birth, women continue to have high levels of relaxin hormone in their bodies until six months after discontinuing breastfeeding. Therefore, postpartum women need support as their bodies heal from the pregnancy and birth, whether vaginal or surgical. Childcare, especially as the baby grows larger, puts an increased strain on a woman�s spinal alignment while her core and pelvic floor slowly recover from the birth. Since it takes about a year for a woman�s body to fully heal from birth, it is important that she not only receives consistent chiropractic adjustments to accelerate the healing process but also receives support from custom-made, flexible orthotics. Orthotic slippers are a bestseller in my practice because they are cozy for walking around the house as a new mama provides care for her infant and keeping the home clean from outside shoes. They provide much-needed support for the arches of the feet that are straining to stabilize the weight-bearing skeletal alignment in a hypermobile structure with an abdominal core that has been stretched significantly and even possibly cut open.
pregtheir In the first trimester, a woman's relaxin hormone is at its highest levels
In conclusion, women in my practice are given information about how to feel and look their best throughout their pregnancy and beyond through healthy lifestyle decisions—from preconception through postpartum. They become more conscious of what types of foods nourish their growing bellies and how to maintain physical activity and strength while choosing to surround themselves with positivity and support and learning how to maintain pelvic and spinal alignment for optimal nervous system function. Women crave science-based content that is full of hope and excitement during their pregnancy, and as holistic healthcare providers, we have the opportunity to contribute to providing this content and, therefore, create more empowered birth experiences.
Dr. Laura Brayton is a graduate of New York Chiropractic College, where she served her peers as class president, student body president, and president of the Student American Chiropractic Association. Dr. Brayton writes regularly on health-related topics and is a lecturer for various holistic groups in her community. Her passion for inspiring optimal health in the community—especially the birth community —launched The Brayton Birth Method. This is available for all women looking to unlock their innate intelligence for an empowered, natural birth.
