The Five Common Neurological Complaints of Pregnancy
by Karen Bagnell, DC
For many years, I have helped literally hundreds of pregnant women with everything from breech presentations to carpal tunnel syndrome. I have encountered basically five common neurological complaints that frequent this part of our population. In my experience, chiropractic care is the best choice for each and every one of these conditions.
The five complaints defined are:
- Meralgia Paresthetica: Compression of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve as it passes beneath the inguinal ligament. Pain and numbness are seen in the lateral aspect of the upper thigh.
During pregnancy: Meralgia Paresthetica is most likely due to abdominal weight gain in pregnancy. (Compresses the inguinal ligament) - Sciatica neuralgia: Three mechanisms can cause inflammation of the sciatic nerve.
- Vertebrogenic: Compression of the nerves coming out of the lumbar spine by spinal misalignment.
- Spasm of the piriformis muscle.
- Discogenic: Bulging disc
- Headaches: As chiropractors, we know that the cause of many headaches, incliuding tension, sinus, and some types of migraines, can be traced to subluxations in the cervical or neck vertebrae.
During pregnancy: Headaches are very common, especially in the first trimester, and are usually due to hormonal changes. High surges of estrogen cause migraine type headaches. If a woman has never experienced headaches on a regular basis before pregnancy, expect them to be related to hormones. A loss of cervical curve (as a result of increasing curve in lower back) can be a component as well.
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Often caused by lower neck subluxations. Also repetitive strain and overuse can cause problems with the flexor retinaculum.
During pregnancy: Symptoms appear as the pregnancy progresses. It is not uncommon for the extra retention of water to cause these symptoms. - Bell's Palsy is defined in Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary, 16th edition, as an unknown cause of one sided facial paralysis with sudden onset.
During pregnancy: The following are presumed mechanisms that may cause Bell's Palsy.
- Swelling of the facial nerve due to hormonal changes and increased fluid retention during pregnancy.
- Subluxation of the TMJ. Note Personally, I believe these instances can cause compression of the facial nerve as it passes through the temporal bone. This is most commonly seen in the third trimester or post partum and responds very favorably to chiropractic adjustments.
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