Can Chiropractic Reduce Time in Labor?

by Caroline von Fluegge-Chen

Can Chiropractic Reduce Time in Labor?

According to a study, patients who received chiropractic care from at least the tenth week of pregnancy through labor and delivery experienced significantly reduced mean labor times compared to women who were not receiving chiropractic care.

Out of the two groups of women who were studied during their first pregnancy, those receiving chiropractic care averaged 24 percent shorter labor times than those not receiving chiropractic care. Of those women who were experiencing their second or third pregnancy, those under chiropractic care averaged 39% shorter labor times compared to those who were not receiving chiropractic care.

These findings suggest that chiropractic methods would play an important expanded role in prenatal care. Chiropractic care throughout pregnancy could result in shorter labor times, decreased use of pain medications and increased quality health care for patients.

SOURCE: Excerpt from the book For the Love of Children, by Dr. Louis R. Briegel, II & Stacey A. Stefanski. Research: Fallon, J., “The Effects of Chiropractic Treatment on Pregnancy and Labor: A Comprehensive Study,” Proceedings of the World Federation of Chiropractic, 1991, pp. 24-25