From the day they are conceived until they leave for college children put an enormous strain on your body, especially your back. Although you would do anything in the world for your children, if you don’t look after yourself you may find yourself physically unable to keep up with them and provide them with everything that they need. As the primary caretaker, the health of your family starts with you, so you have to look after yourself. The following are five of the major stressors that caring for your children put on your back and ways to counteract or prevent problems from occurring.
1) Pregnancy – How can carrying a bowling ball around your belly for 9 months not be a strain on your back? Pregnant women generally experience lower back pain and sciatica (pain down the leg) as the load on your spine increases throughout the pregnancy. The increased weight can cause shifts in your spine. Taking pain killers during pregnancy is not only dangerous for the baby but also will not remove the stress. Stretching is very important for the health of everyone’s spine but particularly when you are pregnant. Pre-natal yoga is a very safe and effective way to help you stay limber. Chiropractic care is also a fantastic, gentle way to realign the spine and remove the source of the pain. Chiropractic care has also been shown to help with labor.
