"Nursing Neck" is Real: How Postpartum Chiropractic Care Helps Moms Breastfeed Comfortably
In the whirlwind of life with a newborn, a mother’s focus is almost entirely directed toward her baby. Is the latch okay? Is the baby getting enough milk? Are they comfortable? These are the questions that fill a new mom's mind. But in the quiet moments of a 3 a.m. feeding, another question often arises: Why does my body ache so much?
So much attention is given to your baby's comfort and positioning during breastfeeding. This means the physical toll it takes on you is being overlooked and dismissed as a normal part of postpartum life. The persistent ache in your neck, the burning between your shoulder blades, and the strain in your lower back are very real. This collection of discomforts, often called "nursing neck" or "mom posture," doesn't have to be your new normal.
At Maximized Chiropractic, we believe that supporting a new mother is just as important as caring for her new baby. Our postpartum care is designed to help your body heal and adapt, allowing you to enjoy the precious moments of motherhood with comfort and ease.
The Biomechanics of a New Mother: A Perfect Storm for Pain
The postpartum period places a unique and intense set of physical demands on your body, which is already in a vulnerable state of recovery. The hormone relaxin, which loosened your joints and ligaments to prepare for birth, can linger in your system, making you more susceptible to strain and instability. When you combine this with the repetitive postures of new motherhood, it creates a perfect storm for discomfort.
The "Nursing Neck" and Shoulder Strain: For hours every day, you are looking down at your beautiful baby, your head bent forward as you make sure they are latched well. This sustained posture puts immense strain on the muscles of your neck and upper back. Every inch your head moves forward causes more strain on your neck, leading to muscle fatigue, nerve irritation, and the deep, persistent ache that so many nursing moms experience.
Mid-Back Pain: Hunching over to feed, whether in a chair, on the couch, or in bed, causes the muscles between your shoulder blades to become overstretched and weak, while the muscles in your chest become tight. This imbalance is a primary cause of the burning pain many moms feel in their mid-back.
Lower Back and Pelvic Stress: The physical demands of motherhood don't stop with feeding. You are constantly lifting, carrying, and bending—lifting a baby from the crib, hauling a heavy car seat, and folding a stroller. These new movements put significant stress on a lower back and pelvis that are still recovering from the biomechanical changes of pregnancy and birth.
How Pain Affects More Than Just Your Comfort
This isn't just about aches and pains. Chronic pain can have a ripple effect on your entire postpartum experience.
Pain is a form of stress, and high levels of stress can interfere with the release of oxytocin—the hormone responsible for your milk let-down reflex. When you are tense and in pain, it can be harder for your milk to flow readily for your baby. Furthermore, if you are uncomfortable, you may unconsciously shorten feeding sessions, which can impact both your baby's nutrition and your milk supply. Feeling supported and comfortable is our main goal when we help you through this stage of your parenting journey.
The Chiropractic Solution: Restoring Balance and Bringing Relief
Postpartum chiropractic care is a safe, gentle, and highly effective way to address the underlying causes of your pain. Our care is not a "one-size-fits-all" approach; it is fully personalized to your body's specific needs during this unique time.
Specific Adjustments: Our chiropractors, certified in perinatal and pediatric care, use gentle and precise adjustments to restore proper alignment to your spine and pelvis. This helps to alleviate pressure on irritated nerves, reduce muscle tension, and improve your overall mobility. Many mothers feel immediate relief and a sense of ease after an adjustment.
Supporting Your Nervous System: The core of our postpartum care is ensuring your nervous system is clear and working at maximum efficiency. By reducing the physical stress on your body, we help your nervous system shift out of a constant "fight-or-flight" state and into a "rest, relax, and heal" state. This not only helps with pain but can also lead to better sleep, an improved mindset, and a faster overall recovery.
A Partner in Your Recovery: We understand that you need more than just a doctor. You need a support system. We are here to listen to your concerns, offer guidance on better nursing postures and gentle exercises, and provide a safe space where you feel heard and understood. As one of our patients shared, we are here to be "a shoulder to cry on, a friend to vent to, and a fellow parent that knows what you’re going through."
You cannot pour from an empty cup. Taking care of your own body is one of the most important things you can do for your new baby. By addressing the physical strains of motherhood, you can enjoy a more comfortable, joyful, and empowered postpartum experience!
If you are ready to take care of yourself too, reach out to us and we will be here for you!
