Pregnancy Care Specialist

Dr. Zimmerman has been in private practice for over 30 years. His main focus over the course of that time has been the care of pregnant women. Dr. Zimmerman has received extra training in chiropractic obstetrics and is extremely well versed in meeting the health care needs that 9 months of pregnancy requires. Dr. Zimmerman not only cares for pregnancy issues related to the spine and pelvis, but also offers advise on prenatal nutrition, exercise and home care. Over the past few years, Dr. Zimmerman has cared for more and more pregnant women, recently setting an office record with 21 pregnant women under care during the same period. Many of these women required 1-2 visits a week during their pregnancy and that equates to over 40 office visits a week of pregnant patients. Many of Dr. Zimmerman’s pregnant patients become family patients and bring their newborn into the office for their first spinal check-up to ensure all is well after delivery.

How does chiropractic care help during pregnancy?

Chiropractic care can help a pregnant woman get relief as her body changes and adapts to a growing fetus. Up to 50% of women experience back pain during pregnancy. As pregnancy progresses, misalignments can develop in your spine, due to changes in your pelvis, postural adaptations to your new center of gravity, and the exaggeration of your lower back curve paired with a bulging belly.

Low back pain during pregnancy can be alleviated with chiropractic manipulation. Muscle spasms, tight muscles, anterior pelvic tilt, and stress to the sacroiliac joints are other pregnancy-related problems that cause back pain and can be treated, too.

Women who receive chiropractic care during pregnancy report easier and faster deliveries. A correlation between back pain during pregnancy and longer, more painful labor exists; research suggests chiropractic care reduces this correlation. Getting adjusted regularly while you’re pregnant can help ease or eliminate pain and make the process of having a baby much easier. And, if you’re a woman who regularly visited a chiropractor before you were expecting, you can continue to reap the benefits of care during pregnancy.

Is it safe for an expectant mother?

Chiropractic care is absolutely safe throughout your pregnancy. Dr. Zimmerman, like all chiropractors, has training that’s specific to treating pregnant women. He’ll use techniques that avoid putting too much pressure on your belly and can offer guidance about how to stretch and exercise during pregnancy to alleviate pain and support delivery.

What techniques are used?

Dr. Zimmerman is certified in the Webster pregnancy technique, which reduces excessive stress on the uterus. It’s a hands-on way to help reduce uterine torsion and relax the round ligament, while at the same time aligning the pelvic bones for a safe, less painful delivery. The technique is often performed during the 8th month of pregnancy when the baby is presenting in the breech position. A balanced pelvis encourages a baby to get into an optimal birth position.

Another treatment Dr. Zimmerman uses for pregnant women is the KST technique, also known as the Koren Specific Technique. It’s a gentle, effective technique involving very specific corrections to the spine as well as other structures, and is known to have long-lasting results.