The postpartum return of the mother to prepartum health is also expedited by manipulation. Manipulation has a part in the prevention and cure of toxemia's. It can be demonstrated that chiropractic care significantly reduces the mean labor time. There was significantly less likelihood of back labor when spinal manipulative therapy was administered during pregnancy. Regular adjustments can make pregnancy less stressful and delivery less uncomfortable.
Chiropractic treatment can continue safely until the day of delivery.
The most common reason for severe low back pain was dysfunction of the sacroiliac joints. Physically strenuous work and previous low back pain were factors associated with an increased risk of developing low back pain and sacroiliac dysfunction during pregnancy. One of the most interesting findings of the study was the association of back pain during labor and fetal presentation. Application of pressure to the lumbar area to inhibit lumbar pain reduced the need for major narcotic pain medication and minor tranquilizing medication. These pathologies may possibly be avoided by decreasing distortion of fetal skulls, from pelvic misalignment, at delivery.