How to Soothe Pre-Natal Joint Pains
Pregnancy can take a toll on your joints and muscles. It’s very common for swelling to occur, particularly in the feet and ankles, due to the pressure your growing baby bump is putting on major blood vessels. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to help alleviate inflammation:
Low Impact Exercises
Being active may not always sound appealing, but it’ll help both your body and your mind as you move through your pregnancy journey. When you keep your circulation flowing, you prevent blood from accumulating in your feet which causes added pressure. For light exercise, try a simple walk around your neighborhood or find a prenatal swim class. Need something with slightly higher intensity? A group dance/aerobics class, indoor cycling, or pilates could be the perfect fit for you.
Supportive Footwear
Your feet deserve a little extra TLC during your pregnancy. The right shoes can have a huge impact on how your feet feel by the end of the day. You’ll need to swap out any heels for flats or tennis shoes that provide enough arch and ankle support. If you absolutely need to wear heels for a certain occasion, opt for a comfortable low heel. This will help prevent any falls or strains on your ligaments; which are looser during pregnancy.
Active Release Technique
Feeling muscle soreness or stiffness? ART may be for you. Your body is going through a lot of changes and may need help moving freely. Active Release Technique is a treatment specifically designed to locate and treat adhesions that accumulate in the muscles and restrict normal movement, flexibility, and stability in your joints. You’ll come out feeling refreshed, soothed and moving easier.
Hot and Cold Treatment
A classic treatment for sore aches and pains is alternating between hot and cold packs. The heat relaxes the muscles, stimulates blood flow, and helps reduce stiffness. The cold simply reduces inflammation and can help ease any pain you may be experiencing. Make sure that neither temperature is uncomfortably hot or cold. To protect your skin, place a light towel between the hot/cold pack and your skin.
Our Irvine chiropractic team of wellness doctors, Vasili Gatsinaris, James Kim, and Adam Abulghualya specialize in chiropractic and wellness care. Our Irvine chiropractic office is located near John Wayne Airport, convenient for people living in Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, Tustin, Santa Ana and other surrounding Orange County communities.
Let our Orange County chiropractic team make a plan and treat your pregnancy early on. To learn more about our variety of services or to schedule an appointment, take advantage of our Facebook new patient special and contact us or call 949-263-9003 today.