HSA and FSA: Using Pre-Tax Dollars for Chiropractic Care in Montgomery
Your lower back has been tight for weeks, and the ache in your neck shows up every time you drive across town or sit at your desk. You have put off care.
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Sarah was 28 weeks pregnant with her second child when she literally crawled into Chiropractic Care Clinic. This Montgomery mom, who normally managed a busy marketing team downtown, couldn't stand for more than five minutes without excruciating lower back pain. "My OB at Baptist Medical Center said it was just part of pregnancy," she told Dr. Elaine McNally through tears. "But I have a toddler to chase and a job to do. I can't spend the next three months like this." Six visits later, Sarah was not only pain-free but felt better than she had during her first pregnancy. Her story echoes throughout Montgomery, where pregnant women are discovering that chiropractic care isn't just safe during pregnancy—it's essential for a comfortable, healthy pregnancy and delivery.
Walk into any prenatal class at Baptist Medical Center South or Jackson Hospital, and you'll hear the same complaints: back pain, hip pain, sciatica, headaches, and difficulty sleeping. Most Montgomery moms accept this discomfort as inevitable, but it doesn't have to be. Dr. McNally has spent over 30 years helping expectant mothers throughout the River Region experience comfortable, pain-free pregnancies.
The statistics are staggering:
But here's what most Montgomery moms don't know: specific, gentle chiropractic adjustments during pregnancy are not only safe but recommended by the American Pregnancy Association.
Pregnancy transforms your body in ways that go far beyond the obvious. As your baby grows, your center of gravity shifts forward, forcing compensatory changes throughout your spine and pelvis. Add Alabama's humidity (which affects joint laxity) to pregnancy hormones, and you have a perfect storm for musculoskeletal discomfort.
Weight Gain and Distribution: The average 25-35 pound pregnancy weight gain isn't distributed evenly. Most concentrates in the abdominal area, pulling the lower back into excessive lordosis (swayback).
Hormonal Changes: Relaxin, aptly named for its relaxing effect on ligaments, prepares your pelvis for delivery but also destabilizes your entire skeletal system. This hormone surge is why pregnant women in Montgomery often experience pain in unexpected places—feet, ribs, even fingers.
Postural Adaptations: To maintain balance, pregnant women unconsciously adjust their posture, often leading to:
Our local environment adds unique challenges for pregnant women:
The Heat Factor: Montgomery's hot, humid summers exacerbate pregnancy swelling, affecting joint mechanics and increasing discomfort.
Car Commutes: Long drives from suburbs like Pike Road or Prattville mean extended sitting, which worsens pregnancy-related back pain.
Professional Demands: Many Montgomery women work at standing jobs (nurses at Baptist Health) or desk jobs (state government offices), both challenging during pregnancy.
Dr. McNally is certified in the Webster Technique, a specific chiropractic analysis and adjustment designed for pregnancy. This gentle technique focuses on aligning the pelvis and reducing tension in surrounding ligaments, creating an optimal environment for baby and mom.
The technique addresses three key areas:
A Montgomery teacher carrying twins experienced severe round ligament pain starting at 20 weeks. After Webster Technique adjustments, she reported: \"It's like someone turned off a switch. The sharp, stabbing pains just disappeared.\
While pain relief brings pregnant women to our clinic, they often discover additional benefits:
Early pregnancy brings unique challenges: morning sickness, fatigue, and the beginning of postural changes. Gentle adjustments during this period can:
We use specially designed pregnancy pillows, allowing comfortable face-down positioning even in late pregnancy—something many Montgomery moms haven't experienced in months.
Often called the \"honeymoon period,\" but for many Montgomery moms, this is when back pain intensifies. Our approach includes:
A Hyundai engineer working modified duty during pregnancy found second-trimester adjustments eliminated her need for constant position changes at work.
The home stretch brings maximum stress on your body. Our third-trimester focus:
Different from regular sciatica, pregnancy sciatica often results from baby's position pressing on nerves. A Montgomery attorney experienced shooting pain down her leg starting at 32 weeks. Traditional medical advice was bed rest. Instead, gentle adjustments and positioning techniques had her back at work within days.
This painful condition affects the joint at the front of your pelvis. Walking becomes excruciating, and many women resort to crutches or wheelchairs. Our specific techniques for SPD have helped hundreds of Montgomery moms avoid mobility aids entirely.
Pregnancy swelling often triggers carpal tunnel symptoms. While most doctors recommend wrist braces or post-pregnancy surgery, we address the nerve compression through gentle adjustments of the wrist, elbow, and cervical spine.
Can't take your usual migraine medication? Chiropractic offers drug-free relief. A Maxwell Air Force Base spouse suffered debilitating migraines throughout her first pregnancy. With regular adjustments during her second pregnancy, she experienced only two mild headaches in nine months.
\"After a C-section with my first, I desperately wanted a vaginal birth. My baby was breech at 34 weeks. Dr. McNally's Webster Technique adjustments helped create space for my baby to turn. I had my VBAC at Baptist Medical Center South!\" - Jennifer, Cloverdale resident
\"Carrying twins, I could barely walk by 25 weeks. The pregnancy chiropractor at Chiropractic Care Clinic literally saved my sanity. I worked until 37 weeks and delivered healthy twins vaginally.\" - Maria, Pike Road
\"I wish I'd known about pregnancy chiropractic with my first three. This fourth pregnancy at 38 was my easiest, thanks to regular adjustments.\" - Ashley, Old Cloverdale
We collaborate with Montgomery's obstetric community, including providers at:
Many local OBs now refer patients directly to us. As one prominent Montgomery obstetrician stated: \"I've seen the difference chiropractic makes in my patients' pregnancies. Less pain medication, fewer complications, happier moms.\
Chiropractic during pregnancy is safer than most alternatives:
Pregnancy is actually an ideal time to start chiropractic care. Your body is naturally more flexible, making adjustments easier and more comfortable.
We never apply pressure to the abdomen. All techniques work with your body's natural mechanics to improve comfort and function.
Care shouldn't stop at delivery. The \"fourth trimester\" brings new challenges:
Our postpartum program helps Montgomery moms:
Start adjustments before pregnancy to:
Begin regular adjustments immediately to:
Cat-Cow Stretch: Excellent for lower back relief, safe throughout pregnancy
Pelvic Tilts: Strengthen core while reducing back strain
Wall Squats: Build strength for delivery while maintaining alignment
Swimming: Montgomery's YMCA pools provide perfect low-impact exercise
Sleeping: Left side-lying with pillow between knees and under belly
Sitting: Use lumbar support, especially during commutes on I-85
Standing: Shift weight frequently, wear supportive shoes
Lifting: Squat, don't bend, especially with other children
Most insurance plans cover chiropractic during pregnancy. We work with:
Even without insurance, pregnancy chiropractic is an investment in:
Pregnancy doesn't have to hurt. Montgomery moms have access to safe, effective chiropractic care that can transform their pregnancy experience. Whether you're struggling with back pain, preparing for optimal delivery, or simply want the healthiest pregnancy possible, specialized chiropractic care offers solutions your OB might not mention.
Dr. McNally and the team at Chiropractic Care Clinic have helped thousands of Montgomery moms experience comfortable pregnancies and better births. Using gentle, pregnancy-specific techniques, we address your unique needs at every stage.
Don't accept pain as "just part of pregnancy." You deserve to enjoy this special time, play with your other children, continue working comfortably, and prepare for delivery feeling strong and aligned.
This article provides general information about chiropractic care during pregnancy. Every pregnancy is unique. Always consult with your healthcare providers about incorporating chiropractic into your prenatal care plan.
