Interview with chiropractor Dr Emily Mason - Founder of The Spinal Answer

Emily Mason is a Doctor of Chiropractic who focuses on the care of pregnant women before, during and after birth. She has a balanced and holistic approach to general health care and wellbeing, which is particularly suitable for pregnant mothers.

Emily supports the philosophy of promoting a body and mind that is as ‘free from stress’ as possible, to enable a healthier, happier and more balanced life.  She practices this philosophy through treatment, education and general lifestyle advice, focusing on reducing any physical, chemical and emotional stresses, which have been placed on the body.

Chiropractic care is an extremely popular choice for pregnant women, as it is a safe, natural and gentle health care option, which helps alleviate some of the pains associated with pregnancy, without the use of chemicals and medication.
Emily runs her chiropractic clinic, The Spinal Answer in Fulham, which offers a range of services for all members of the family including: chiropractic pregnancy care, sacro-occipital technique (SOT), reflexology, hypnotherapy, hypno-birthing Emotional Freedom technique (EFT), Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) and exercise rehabilitation.

Emily has written articles for magazines on pregnancy, birth trauma and chiropractic care of children and babies. She is also qualified in nutrition, fitness and exercise rehabilitation. Emily holds lectures to the public on chiropractic care during pregnancy, birth and beyond for mother and baby. Globally she teaches pregnancy and paediatric seminars to chiropractors, with highly respected and world-renowned chiropractor Dr Steve Williams FCC FICS DC.

Information & Tips for Pregnant Women and Mothers

I have helped many women throughout their pregnancies and found that the most common reason for these women seeking chiropractic care is for pain relief from low back ache, general back ache, pelvic pain, pubic symphysis dysfunction and general musculo-skeletal aches and pains. During the course of pregnancy, a woman's body undergoes innumerable structural changes, which can create postural strain, neck and back pain. Pelvic stability and natural spinal alignment during this time is critical for pregnant women and chiropractic care during pregnancy may help to:

• Correct vertebral misalignment and relieve joint pressure with gentle manipulation.
• Align the pelvic bones, which may allow for a more comfortable pregnancy.
•  Re-establish the natural position and mobility of the joints.
•  Educate expectant mothers on postural, exercise and nutritional advice.
•  Provide support and healthcare advice for the duration of pregnancy and beyond.

Clinical experience has taught me that it is also very important for expectant mothers to be aware of the amount of ‘stress’ in their lives, stress can take the form of physical stress, chemical stress and emotional stress.

• Physical stresses are muscle or joint injuries, aches and pains and postural issues.
• Chemical stresses take the form of foods and chemicals taken into the body through the mouth, the skin and environmentally and include intolerances.
• Emotional stresses include unhappy, negative thoughts and beliefs.

I believe it is vital to reduce these stresses not only for the mother, but also for her baby in as many positive ways as possible.

Posture
Advice on posture and joint alignment is very important, as women commonly experience muscle and joint pain throughout pregnancy. Weakness of the pelvic floor muscles from both normal and caesarean deliveries may also lead to back pain post delivery.

• Attending Pilates or specific exercise rehabilitation classes prior to, during and after birth will help strengthen the muscles to support your joints, pelvic floor and help with your posture. It is important that pregnant women choose strengthening activities rather than stretching activities, as the ligaments are already stretching to cope with pregnancy and do not need any extra stress, as this can in some cases cause injury.

• Breastfeeding postures especially when tired or at night are often not ideal, and can cause tightness and pain in the upper body. A breast-feeding pillow can help support your lower back and make sure you sit upright. This will help relieve the strain on shoulders, the spine, neck and tummy, which is particularly important following a caesarean section delivery.

• Unaccustomed lifting of your newborn and bending over cots, changing nappies and carrying car seats may also cause extra strain on the body. Carrying a baby on your body in a papoose or wearing a hipseat belt (for toddlers) is a better alternative to holding your child, or carrying her on your hip, or in a car seat.

• Supportive footwear is critical throughout your pregnancy. The soles of your feet need support!  Pregnancy hormones also relax the ligaments of your feet and as your body weight increases your feet take on more stresses and will spread as a result. Plantar fasciitis and flattening of the arch of your feet can occur leading to discomfort and misalignment of the legs, hips and ultimately your pelvis. Although UGG boots and satin slippers may look great, they are not supportive enough during pregnancy.  You should opt for shoes which have a built in arch support. There is now a wide range of the more ‘fashionable’ supportive and comfortable footwear available such as Fit Flops and Birkenstocks. 

• Get a adjusted! Visit a chiropractor who treats pregnant women. Chiropractic care during pregnancy focuses on releasing the mother’s ligaments, fascia, muscle and joints surrounding your beautiful bump and pelvis, spine, hips, legs, feet – everywhere!  Chiropractors re-align the pelvis and joints of the spine to enable you and your baby to achieve the most natural position possible. Chiropractic techniques are absolutely safe, gentle and natural for mother and baby.

Emotional Stresses – fear, worry and anxiety

• Meditation and relaxation practices such as yoga are perfect for relaxation and breathing; however, strenuous yoga is not advised due to the level of stretching involved and joint strain that can occur. A relaxed mind is a relaxed body – the perfect environment to grow a baby!

• Continuous negative thoughts or negative self talk creates stress for the mind, leads to chemical changes which ultimately manifest in your body – your body and mind work in unison and therefore increased stress on either causes increased overall ‘Stress’.

• Fearful thoughts stimulate adrenaline (a fight or flight hormone), which affects your physical body to ‘run’ from the fear.  During pregnancy anxious feelings that accompany a life changing experience and accepting the physical changes that occur can create stress.  I believe that some unresolved emotional issues and fears about birth, delivery and becoming a mum may play a part in delaying the onset of your labour. I am a great believer in seeking emotional support with Emotional Freedom technique (EFT), Neurolinguistic programming (NLP) and Hypnotherapy or Hypno-birthing. These wonderful techniques can help you achieve a more balanced emotional state and a happier, healthier mindset during your pregnancy making the transition to motherhood a positive and delightful experience.  And are available at The Spinal Answer.

Things you can do to help yourself in pregnancy...
 

1. Get Fit!

Being pregnant, giving birth and childcare is physically demanding. Labour can take many hours of constant physical stress and effort. One of the factors that can create a difficult labour may be poor physical fitness and a lack of core stability. So shape up your exercise and body routine now!

2. Physical Activity

Take care doing general physical activities such as cleaning and decorating and only lift or carry low loads.  Re-adjust your exercise and activities - seek advice from a professional who can plan an appropriate and fulfilling exercise regime especially for you.
Avoid sitting or standing for long periods - hormone changes mean you stretch supportive ligaments more easily with prolonged positional stress.

3. Get a Spine and posture check

Visit a chiropractor or qualified healthcare professional who understands the structural changes your body is undergoing.

4. Work

If you are a working girl, get a professional work station assessment both during and after your pregnancy – your body has changed and is more vulnerable to physical stress now!

5. Sleep

To help support your bump and your spine whilst sleeping, the wonderful ‘dreamgenii’ pillow is available. This is also great to use whilst breastfeeding as it supports your low back and encourages an upright breastfeeding position. It can also be used to aid babies in learning to sit upright and eventually hold their own weight in an upright position.

6. Diet

Most importantly you must keep your blood sugar level STABLE. One of the common factors aggravating morning sickness is often LOW blood sugar. Try to eat every 3-4 hours, avoid eating too many carbohydrates, your meals should be balanced with protein, fats and carbohydrates, generally aim for a low GI diet. Eat lots of naturally oily foods such as fish, nuts, seeds, olives and avocados. Supplement your diet with a good quality multi vitamin and mineral supplement specifically for pregnancy and Omega 3 oil. If you are eating plenty of nuts and seeds you are getting enough Omega 6 and 9, so take extra Omega 3.  Take a probiotic supplement to promote the good bacteria in your gut; not only will this help your digestion, regulate your bowel activity but also 90% of your immune system comes from your intestines. A healthy gut is a healthy body!

7. Chemical Stressors – food, products, toxins, intolerances and the environment.

Avoid as many chemicals going into your body as possible.  Opt for organic, caffeine and alcohol free foods, it is best to stay as organic and chemical-free as possible. Abel & Cole and Riverford Organics deliver organic boxes of fruit and vegetables to your home and are often far cheaper than buying organic products at the supermarkets.

Your skin is a living organ so all products and chemicals that the skin absorbs affects you and your baby. Try to use beauty and body products free from chemicals, additives and artificial fragrances. Check the labels on all the things you buy. Excellent product ranges include REN, Jason and Avalon.

In the home use natural and chemical free cleaning products, all supermarkets now stock a wide range of chemical free cleaners such as Ecover and Non Toxic. Try to avoid fumes from car exhausts too – aim to do your outdoor exercise in a green open space.

Best Buys for pregnant women - making life more comfortable and pain free

1. A Complete Sleeprrr Adjustable Pillow – this memory foam pillow ensures that the head and neck are evenly supported for optimum comfort and natural spine alignment and can be purchased at www.spinalanswer.co.uk or a registered chiropractic clinic.

2. dreamgenii Breast Feeding Pillow & Baby Nest – this pillow is shaped to support your lower back and encourages an upright feeding position for breastfeeding, without having to bend forward.
http://www.dreamgenii.com/?section=shop&product_category=breastfeeding_pillow_and_baby_nest

3. Hippy Chick Hipseat Belt – ideal for carrying babies and toddlers naturally on your hip without causing strains on the spine. Available in different colours and fully tested by the British Standards Institute.
http://www.hippychick.com/index.cfm/children/Products.Details/product_id/15/subject/hippychick_hipseat

4. Baby Carriers – one of the better ways to carry your baby is on your body as it causes less stress on your spine and posture. The ‘Baby Bjorn’ is a great choice as it is supportive for your baby’s spine and head and comfortable for mum too!
http://www.babybjorn.com/

5. Supportive Footwear – Fit Flops and Birkenstocks provide a great range of supportive summer and winter shoes and boots for expectant mothers. Alternatively, get a custom made orthotic from a registered health care professional.
http://www.fitflop.com
http://www.birkenstock.co.uk/