Pregnancy Care

Pregnancy is an extraordinary time in any woman’s life.  It is likely you ‘ve become curious about your baby’s development and learned that each week, every day brings new growth.  Unfortunately, pregnancy also comes with its fair share of struggle and stress, including aches & pains associated by the changes happening in your body and the shift in your hormonal & emotional being.  Pain at any level can steal the joy of pregnancy.  That’s why I am committed to ensuring every pregnant woman has the opportunity to get the care they deserve; so that you can enjoy your pregnancy to the fullest.

Chiropractic care during pregnancy can help you have nine fulfilling and pain-free months without relying on medication and/or other invasive symptom relief options.  As a mom-to-be, chiropractic care can give you the power to take care of yourself and make your experience as enjoyable as possible without compromising your baby’s health.

During pregnancy, your body will change significantly to accommodate your baby. As a result, you may experience:

  • Low Back Pain & Sciatica – from the additional weight & pressure; hello baby bump!
  • Round Ligament Pain – result of your belly rapidly stretching & increasing in size
  • Pubic Bone Pain – maybe accompanied by excessive waddling & a clicking sound when walking
  • Hip Pain – extra pressure from your pelvis shifting & sleeping on your sides
  • Upper Back Pain – brought on by changes in your gait & posture
  • Rib & Sternum Pain – due to expansion making room for your baby
  • Vagina Pain (Lightning Crotch) – extra pressure on your uterus or cervix
  • Headaches – tension from your ever-changing body
  • Carpal Tunnel – inflammation, swelling and fluid retention
  • Morning Sickness – hello hormonal changes!
  • Difficulty Sleeping – finding a comfortable resting position can become difficult
  • Constipation – progesterone & your growing uterus can make it hard to move things along
  • Exhaustion – growing another human is no joke!

While pain during pregnancy is a quite common complaint today, it is important to recognize that just because it is common, does not mean it is normal!  Pain is the body’s way of telling us something is wrong.  Low back, hip and pelvic pain tells us that there are likely imbalances present in the muscles, ligaments &/or joints of the pelvis. A balanced pelvis not only reduces pain in your pregnant body, but more importantly, prepares your body for an easier birth experience.

Prenatal chiropractic adjustments are one of the best things you can do for yourself and your baby during pregnancy.  A balanced spine and pelvis will enhance your comfort, as well as create conditions that favor a positive birth experience.  Pregnant woman under specialized prenatal chiropractic care frequently report shorter, easier births with limited interventions.

I am highly trained and certified in the Webster Technique & Spinning Babies Protocols which specifically address the imbalances in the pregnant body’s sacrum, pelvis, muscles & ligaments. I use both these approaches as a safe and effective way to restore proper pelvic balance and function during pregnancy.

Benefits of Prenatal Chiropractic Care

  • Maintain a Healthier Pregnancy
  • Reduce Time in Labor & Delivery
  • Relieve Low Back, Hip & Pubic Bone Pain
  • Relieve Neck, Back & Joint Pain
  • Relieve Headaches
  • Prevent Fetal Malposition Through Body Balancing
  • Improved Sleep
  • Reduces Likelihood of Interventions During Labor & Delivery

As a pregnant woman, you are more susceptible to sacral and pelvic imbalances because of increased hormones (relaxin, estrogen), weight gain & the associated changes in posture.

The Webster Technique is a specific chiropractic analysis and adjustment that gently corrects pelvis and sacral imbalances.  The aim of the Webster Technique is to decrease the effects of imbalances in the sacrum and pelvis through a specific chiropractic analysis and adjustment, in order to improve neuro-biomechanical functioning to the sacral/pelvic region.  Restoring this nuero-biomechanical function may improve the baby’s positioning and birth outcome, prevent dystocia (difficult labor) & relieve general aches and pains associated with pregnancy.

Whether you are in your first trimester or a few weeks away from welcoming your new baby into the world, I believe that every pregnant woman should receive adequate pregnancy care as it allows you to fully be mentally and physically present during your pregnancy journey.  You should never have to lie awake at night because of low back and hip pain.  Pain during pregnancy not only hinders your enjoyment of this process – it’s also exhausting, and you don’t want to be worn out and depleted when it’s finally time to bring your little one into the world.

A subtle imbalance in the pelvis and associated structures can prevent the baby from having the space to get into an optimal position for birth, which is known as intrauterine constraint.

Breech Baby

You just left your OB/midwife appointment and it has been confirmed that your baby is NOT head down and now you are frantically searching the internet, because surely there has to be something you can do to get this baby head down and ready for labor and delivery!  Because you are concerned of the risks of a C-Section and/or it has not been a part of your plan.

By about 32-33 weeks, babies are expected to be head down.  If a baby has not turned head down by 34-35 weeks, it can indicate there is an issue with its position.

A subtle imbalance in the pelvis and associated structures can prevent the baby from having the space to get into an optimal position for birth, which is known as intrauterine constraint. This condition is directly addressed through the Webster Technique helping breech and transverse babies move into the proper head-down birthing position and is proven to have an 86% success rate.

If you have already scheduled your external version, no worries – I can still help you!  By removing any constraint that is limiting your baby from being head down, the baby just might go head down before your appointment.  I have also had mamas that I have adjusted report back to me after an external version that their doctor noted that the baby was easier to move into the proper head down position because their pelvis was in alignment.

If the baby’s position is something you are seeking care for, it is NEVER too late to receive an adjustment, however it is ideal before 37 weeks – so let’s get started today and allow you the vaginal birth you desire!

Postpartum Care

Congrats mama, you just welcomed your squishy miracle or maybe it has been months and the fog has semi-lifted! Now that you’ve put the long months of pregnancy behind you and you’ve given birth, you’re probably breathing a sigh of relief at the thought of waving goodbye to those frustrating pregnancy symptoms. But just as you get used to seeing your feet again, you’re likely to be hit by some postpartum side effects – some of them as weird as the pregnancy symptoms you just left behind.

Whether you gave birth vaginally or via c-section, I know most women are overwhelmingly unprepared for how their bodies will feel after delivering a baby.  The postpartum period is all about your new focus on your baby and their needs while you are healing from birth.  Unfortunately, what is rarely addressed after your baby is born is that you also have a body that is completely different, is surging with new hormones and is in need of dedicated attention and care for optimal healing.

While 6 weeks after birth is commonly known as the postpartum recovery period, it is NOT uncommon for the first year to feel like a tidal shift. Everyone’s experience is different, and the recovery period can vary wildly. I gently remind mamas in my practice that 1 year is a good guideline for a timeline. Mama give yourself time, support and a whole lotta grace during this time!

You are adapting to how differently you are using your body from hours of breastfeeding/ pumping/or bottle feeding, sleeping differently (or not sleeping much at all), discomfort or tension in the neck and upper back from looking down and falling in love with your new baby, lifting your baby in and out of carriers and cribs, or baby wearing.  As the daily stresses change, your body is in need of balance and support.

Common Concerns in Postpartum that Chiropractic Can Help

  • Lower Back Pain
  • Pelvic Pain
  • Upper Back Pain
  • Neck Pain
  • Headaches
  • Core Dysfunction
  • C-Section Rehab
  • Hormone Imbalances
  • Deep Fatigue
  • Breastfeeding Difficulties

In over a decade of seeing postpartum mamas, I know how essential this transition in life is for you and your changing body. In postpartum care my goal is to assist your body in healing as well as to help you remain comfortable and adaptable to the new stresses of parenthood. Boldly, I will say, I feel that your care is just as important as your baby’s and I am here to help you navigate this postpartum period. You no longer need to feel unsupported, overwhelmed, or exhausted.

Whether you have been a patient of mine during your pregnancy or have never visited a chiropractor before – contact me today and let’s get you the support and care you need!

Infant Care

Congrats mama! It is so exciting to have your new bundle of joy finally arrive in the world. While it can be a total magical time, let’s be honest, it can also be a time of complete exhaustion, frustration and struggle that you weren’t prepared for.  The strain of pregnancy and childbirth not only takes a toll on mama, but on your baby too.

Whether you stumbled upon us on Google while feeding your baby in the middle of the night, are unfamiliar with chiropractic care and have hesitation, or you have been under chiropractic care in our office during your pregnancy, I am here to help you navigate through what may seem like the toughest months ahead of you.

A lot of moms and dads wonder why a baby would need a chiropractor…
This is because you’re thinking of a chiropractor as a back pain doctor when in reality we are actually doctors of the nervous system and the nervous system has 2 modes; 1) fight and flight and 2) rest and digest.
When stress has your baby stuck in fight and flight we will often see symptoms of fussiness, poor digestion and sleeping problems.  These are symptoms that are common in babies these days.

If you have been to your pediatrician and “everything checked out” & there is nothing medically alarming, but you still have the feeling that something isn’t quite right – I hear you!  I like to explain it this way: Your baby is eating, sleeping, pooping, and gaining weight {so the lights are on}, but the feeling you are having is the {lights are flickering quite a bit} in your baby. If that is where you find yourself – safe, gentle, and effective chiropractic care can help take the flicker out of your baby’s nervous system and in return leave you with a happy, healthier baby.

Common Concerns in Your Infant that Chiropractic Care Can Help

  • Breastfeeding / Latching Issues
  • Colic
  • Acid Reflux
  • Constipation
  • Excessive Gas
  • Fussiness
  • Inconsolable Crying
  • Sleep Issues
  • Favoring Turning Head to One Side (Torticollis)
  • Flat Spot on Head (Plagiocephaly)
  • TOTS (Tethered Oral Tissues – Tongue & Lip Ties)
  • Ear Infections
  • Boosting Immune System

One common question we often get from parents is “How old does my baby need to be to see a chiropractor?” It may surprise you, but the answer is just a few minutes old J I have had many parents stop by my office on their way home from the hospital with their newborn to have their spine checked and adjusted.

I am one of the few Doctors of Chiropractic in SD that has earned my certification from the Academy of Chiropractic Family Practice and the Council of Chiropractic Pediatrics (C.A.C.C.P.) I believe that my pediatric certification and over a decade of experience really sets me apart in my ability to treat highly challenging and difficult pediatric cases – and to be honest, there is nothing better than checking the spine of your squishy baby.

If you are overwhelmed and tired of trying to navigate your concerns for you baby alone, I am here to help you and your baby start thriving. Contact me today and let’s get started!

Pediatric Care

Once your bundle of joy graduates from newborn / infant care they will become more mobile & more vocal.  As your infant grows and beings to reach certain ‘milestones’ such as learning to hold up their head, sitting crawling and learning to walk, we know that all of these activities affect alignment and future development of the spine and nervous system function. With this new level of independence comes more bumps and bruises (no matter how careful a parent you are).  Your child is also experiencing growth spurts which creates new challenges of development & coordination.

Did you know that in the first two years of life, your child’s spine doubles in size?! Any negative interference to this vital system can adversely affect the body’s ability to function at its best. This is why it is so important for their spine to be in alignment during this critical phase.

Bumps & Bruises

As your child develops their mobility, accidents are certain to happen.  Mostly just the occasional butt drops, but sometimes more severe.  Even though these may not trigger an emotional response of pain from your child these are abrupt vibrations to a very fragile frame that can easily cause the body and spine to become out of alignment.  If your child is not aligned properly, not only will that effect their mood, ability to sleep, and digestion, but it can also diminish future development in several areas at a very critical stage in life.  Having seen thousands of children over the last 10 years, I have a keen insight to determine any areas that need adjusting and I am able to gently adjust them safely and effectively into their proper positions.

Growth Spurts

During the ages of 2-12 there are a large number of development milestones the body achieves before reaching full maturity over the next several years.  This is the most important decade of your physical life as it develops the foundation that you will have for the rest of your life.  Sorry to sound so dramatic!  But seriously, there are many studies about long term health, mobility, and overall wellness that are affected by what we do during these years.  Chiropractic care teamed up with proper nutrition and physical activity will not only help your child immediately but will set the stage for the rest of your child’s life.

Common Concerns in Your Child that Chiropractic Care Can Help:

  • Acid Reflux
  • Constipation
  • Ear Infections
  • Congestion
  • Sleep Regressions/Issues
  • Poor Digestive System
  • Bedwetting
  • Growing Pains
  • Headaches
  • Neck Pain
  • Back Pain
  • Restless Legs
  • Sensory Processing Disorders
  • Focus/Concentration Concerns
  • Asthma
  • Allergies
  • Strengthen Immune System
  • Decrease the Risk of Injury in Athletics & Performance Arts

I am one of the few Doctors of Chiropractic in SD that has earned my certification from the Academy of Chiropractic Family Practice and the Council of Chiropractic Pediatrics (C.A.C.C.P.) I believe that my pediatric certification and over a decade of experience really sets me apart in my ability to treat highly challenging and difficult pediatric cases. Through gentle, safe, and effective chiropractic care, let’s address the concerns you are having with your child.

My job is not to judge, over promise, demand a commitment or drive any agenda. I am a resource that talks to my patients & gathers their questions, concerns & experience and offers solutions based on my experience of over 10 years in practice and working with thousands of other mothers and children.  If you are tired of dealing with your child’s health concerns on your own, allow me to support you on your journey.

Contact me today and let’s get started!

I was so happy to find Dr. Ashley when I moved to the area before my first baby was born. She worked on both me while I was pregnant and my son as a newborn.
Lucy Hewitt
Ashley is very good at listening and remember what and where your pain is. I have been in twice so far and feel ten times better than I did before I went in. I would recommend Pfaff Chiropractic to anyone! 
Sondrae Spade
We love Dr. Ashley! I have been coming to her for pregnancy adjustments and for adjustments for my toddler for some time now. She’s the best!
amanda Gentry
We love Dr. Ashley! We take our daughter to see Dr. Ashley for adjustments a few times a year. She’s so good with her. My daughter will ask me, “When do I get to go back to see Dr. Ashley?”
Margus baker