24 Seven July 2018

It takes confidence to seek out a new
doctor, especially in a specialty that is
unfamiliar like prenatal chiropractic.
Many pregnant mothers are referred
for a chiropractic examination by their
obstetrician or midwife and have had
no prior experience in a chiropractic
office. They usually show up in the late
stages of pregnancy because of back
pain, or a breech presentation. They
soon find out that there are many more
benefits to expect from chiropractic
care. In a mother, chiropractic supports
pregnancy and birth as a natural
process.
The benefits chiropractic provides are:
• It reduces interference (disease) to
the vital nervous system, which controls
all other systems and function.
• It prepares the pelvis by enhancing the
bony structures, muscles and ligaments.
• It removes tension to ligaments to
reduce intrauterine constraint.
• It allows for a safer, easier birth and
decreases the potential for intervention.
The list below outlines a typical
prenatal chiropractic exam. While many
of these tests may be unfamiliar, there
can be no mistaking the thorough and
sensitive nature of the process. It can
typically be completed in 30 minutes.
Along with a medical history, family
history, and a description of the chief
complaints, a chiropractic examination
should include a list of current and past
physical traumas, emotional stressors,
and chemical exposures, that may lead
to indicators or a diagnosis of disease
or vertebral subluxation, which
chiropractors specifically work with.
Detailed palpation analysis
• Scanning up and down the full spine
• Tissue tone (superficial or just under
the skin)
• Intersegmental (between the joint
segments, or motor units)
• Motion (the joint play with light
pressure)
Congestive tissue tone - palpation for
puffiness or crepitus
Functional leg length inequality -
incorporating an achilles reflex
Cervical syndrome test - multiple
indicators for how head turning affects
functional leg length in the prone
position
Derifield test - indicators for how knee
flexion affects functional leg length
Abductor tendency/adductor resistance
- hip flare in the prone position (one or
both sides)
Inversion/eversion - foot flare (one or
both sides)
Foot pronation/supination
Heel tension - at the achilles tendon
(with or without symmetry)
Abnormal breathing patterns - including
chest breathing and rapid breathing
Postural faults - including gravitational
center and plumb line
Neurological assessment
• Motor/sensory/reflex testing and
other neurosensory tests
• Cranial nerve tests
• Hermography: Scan of the spine using
infrared technology to identify areas
of imbalanced energy radiation from
the body, which may identify areas of
inflammation, stress, and autonomic
regulation.
• Heart rate variability: Measures
adaptability and balance of the
autonomic nervous system.
Additional tests may be indicated
in a complete prenatal chiropractic
examination including:
• Ranges of motion
• Orthopedic testing
• Gait analysis
• Hormone and neurotransmitter testing
Respiratory stress testing
Many of these examination procedures
are unique to chiropractic related
conditions, but not all of them.
Chiropractors are also responsible for
assessing all systems of the body and
referring patients to their medical
specialists when appropriate. For future
moms, or for those who are planning
to become pregnant, reaching out
to a specialist in chiropractic is part
of a new trend in health care that
emphasizes health and wellness in the
“preconception” stage.
Michael Magwood, DC, is the owner of Pure Balance Centers in Clifton, NJ, and New York City. He is known for his passion for
educating and adjusting the lifestyles of children and their families towards optimal health through natural chiropractic care. Dr.
Magwood earned his Doctorate at the New York Chiropractic College in 2000 and is certified by the International Chiropractic
Pediatric Association (ICPA).
www.PureBalanceCenter.com