This paper utilized a case narrative of a 28-year-old woman with a BMI of 36 and 33 weeks pregnant with her first child whose complaints were tingling and numbness in the second through fourth fingers, low back pain, and concurrent swelling in her right leg.
She had a history of endometriosis (heavy periods, lower abdomen pain) and ovarian cysts as well as two prior miscarriages. She had her first miscarriage at 8 weeks; the fetus had stopped growing at 6 weeks. The patient’s second miscarriage was at 6 weeks due to a severe viral infection. The patient successfully managed her menstrual cycle and pain from endometriosis through homeopathic remedies and changing her diet. Scar tissue was removed with an endoscopy to successfully implant a month after the procedure.
The two ovarian cysts were being monitored throughout her pregnancy because her obstetrician said that pregnancy and breastfeeding usually helps them shrink.
The doctor of chiropractic’s examination found misalignment at the atlas vertebral body and restrictions in bending her entire body to the left and right. The sacral analysis using the Webster technique showed resistance in the patient’s right leg which normalized after utilizing a drop adjusting technique.
The doctor of chiropractic adjusted her neck, middle back, and extremities (right wrist, elbow, and ankle) by using high velocity, low amplitude techniques. The patient’s care plan was twice a week for a total of nine visits.
At the fourth visit, the patient said the swelling in her ankle had improved. However, the swelling returned a week later and was still present at the delivery of her baby. At this visit, utilizing the Webster Technique, the doctor found a restricted right leg and adjusted the sacrum accordingly. The sacral misalignment appeared on subsequent visits and was adjusted accordingly. Additionally, she reported round ligament pain, middle back pain, and nausea at various times during each visit, but reported all had improved on subsequent visits.
A week after the patient’s 9th visit, she said her water broke the night before and she experienced Braxton-Hicks contractions. The patient’s vital signs were normal and the fetus was not in distress.
When the midwife confirmed that the fluid was amniotic fluid, the patient was given two doses of antibiotics to decrease the risk of fetal infection and recommended herbal tinctures (liquid herb extract) and nipple stimulation to help coordinate her reproductive system.
She said after 13 hours her contractions became regulated. She was in labor for 8 ½ when she delivered a 5 lb. 10 oz. boy with the help of her midwife and hypnobirthing techniques. Five days after birth, the patient continued weekly chiropractic care. After seven more visits, she reported improvements in her neck and back pain.
MLA Citation: Edwards, John, & Alcantara, Joel. “Resolution of Peripheral Neuropathy, Lower Extremity Edema, and Low Back Pain in a Pregnant Female Undergoing Chiropractic Care.” Journal of Pediatric, Maternal, & Family Health. 2015.3 (2015): 86-91.
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