I'm so excited to introduce you all to Dr Meggie Smith of Chiropractic First in Evanston, Il. If you've chatted with me in any capacity about a pregnancy- or birth-related ailment you've experienced, chances are I've mentioned Dr. Meggie to you. I (and my kids) have been seeing Dr. Meggie and her team for almost four years. When my youngest saw her within a couple days of his birth, it immediately helped correct his latch on the side we were struggling with. For those of you who are hesitant about chiropractic care, this is a totally different approach from the forceful cracking you might be familiar with. And, think you can never make time for chiro with your kids swarming around you? Chiropractic First has an amazing kids room that keeps children occupied while you (or they!) get adjusted. Thanks, Dr. Meggie, for sharing with us!
1. First things first - let's get to know you a little bit! What world destination have you never been to but hope to get to one day?
I've always wanted to go to Morocco. I love the architecture and art of that region.
2. And, what's a favorite quote / book / song of yours?
Live a life that is driven more strongly by curiosity than by fear. -Elizabeth Gilbert
3. Tell us a little bit about your practice.
Chiropractic First is a light touch chiropractic and energy medicine practice that focuses on helping people heal physically, mentally and emotionally. Our specialties are bodymind concerns like anxiety, depression and stress relief. We also help a lot of pregnant women and babies to heal and have more ease and less pain.
We have been helping pregnant women in Evanston for over 25 years.
4. What makes your practice special?
Chiropractic First is a wonderful community. We have many generations of families who come in for care together. We help not just mothers and children, but grandparents and even great grandparents.
People refer their parents and children because we help them heal their physical pain and their emotional pain. People who come to Chiropractic First report being more calm, more patient with their children, better able to communicate with their spouse. What makes Chiropractic First special is that it is a place where families come to heal.
5. When a pregnant woman finds her way into Chiropractic First, what are some issues that she's likely encountering?
Women come into Chiropractic First often either because they have back or hip pain or because they want a more natural birth. Chiropractic has been shown to help decrease labor time by 24% in first time pregnancy and 33% for women who have given birth previously. Chiropractic care relaxes the pelvic floor muscles in pregnant women. This makes birth a much easier process.
I've always wanted to go to Morocco. I love the architecture and art of that region.
2. And, what's a favorite quote / book / song of yours?
Live a life that is driven more strongly by curiosity than by fear. -Elizabeth Gilbert
3. Tell us a little bit about your practice.
Chiropractic First is a light touch chiropractic and energy medicine practice that focuses on helping people heal physically, mentally and emotionally. Our specialties are bodymind concerns like anxiety, depression and stress relief. We also help a lot of pregnant women and babies to heal and have more ease and less pain.
We have been helping pregnant women in Evanston for over 25 years.
4. What makes your practice special?
Chiropractic First is a wonderful community. We have many generations of families who come in for care together. We help not just mothers and children, but grandparents and even great grandparents.
People refer their parents and children because we help them heal their physical pain and their emotional pain. People who come to Chiropractic First report being more calm, more patient with their children, better able to communicate with their spouse. What makes Chiropractic First special is that it is a place where families come to heal.
5. When a pregnant woman finds her way into Chiropractic First, what are some issues that she's likely encountering?
Women come into Chiropractic First often either because they have back or hip pain or because they want a more natural birth. Chiropractic has been shown to help decrease labor time by 24% in first time pregnancy and 33% for women who have given birth previously. Chiropractic care relaxes the pelvic floor muscles in pregnant women. This makes birth a much easier process.
6. What kind of help do you offer that is unique to pregnant and/or postpartum women?
Patients at Chiropractic First receive a light touch form of chiropractic that is incredibly gentle. For pregnant women this is especially appreciated. Because their bodies are changing so dramatically, they do not need a lot of force. We can be gentle and still facilitate major improvement.
7. What kind of responses do you see when you work with a newborn?
Newborns sleep better. They are less fussy. They nurse better, have stronger latches and digest more easily. Newborns also heal very quickly. And so we can often make big changes in very short periods of time.
8. How do you see your practice serving pregnant and postpartum women five years from now?
Chiropractic First has been helping women and babies for over 25 years. Some of the first babies we helped are now in their 20s and still coming to Chiropractic First. In 5 years I hope we will be helping the women give birth who's mothers came to Chiropractic First 25 years ago when they were pregnant. We have women in our practice who have been coming to us since they were newborns, and I am really excited for the time to come when we help those women start their own families.
And so, in 5 years I hope we will be doing exactly what we are doing today. We will be helping pregnant women, postpartum women and babies to more fully embrace the major physically, mental and emotional changes they are experiencing. I look forward to strengthening relationships with the doulas, midwives and OBGYNs who refer to us, and also the relationships we with the families we have int he practice today.
9. What's something that you wish you could tell every woman on the brink of experiencing pregnancy and childbirth?
I'd tell them how transformative chiropractic care can be if they start early. So often women come in midway through their pregnancy for pain. Then they realize how much easier it makes the entire process. On their next pregnancy they start chiropractic care early in their first trimester, because they have experienced how significant the benefits are. Pregnancy doesn't have to be painful, it may not always be easy, but it can probably be far easier than you expect.
10. Anything else you want to say that isn't covered here?
Here are some links to the research I mention in the above responses:
1. http://chiropractic.ac.nz/index.php/about-us/college-news/101-new-zealand-research-shows-benefit-of-chiropractic-care-during-pregnancy
2. https://spinalresearch.com.au/wp-content/uploads/Haavik-Pelvic-Floor.pdf
Chiropractic First: 1609 A, Chicago Ave, Evanston, IL
Phone: 847-869-1313
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Chiropractic1st
Patients at Chiropractic First receive a light touch form of chiropractic that is incredibly gentle. For pregnant women this is especially appreciated. Because their bodies are changing so dramatically, they do not need a lot of force. We can be gentle and still facilitate major improvement.
7. What kind of responses do you see when you work with a newborn?
Newborns sleep better. They are less fussy. They nurse better, have stronger latches and digest more easily. Newborns also heal very quickly. And so we can often make big changes in very short periods of time.
8. How do you see your practice serving pregnant and postpartum women five years from now?
Chiropractic First has been helping women and babies for over 25 years. Some of the first babies we helped are now in their 20s and still coming to Chiropractic First. In 5 years I hope we will be helping the women give birth who's mothers came to Chiropractic First 25 years ago when they were pregnant. We have women in our practice who have been coming to us since they were newborns, and I am really excited for the time to come when we help those women start their own families.
And so, in 5 years I hope we will be doing exactly what we are doing today. We will be helping pregnant women, postpartum women and babies to more fully embrace the major physically, mental and emotional changes they are experiencing. I look forward to strengthening relationships with the doulas, midwives and OBGYNs who refer to us, and also the relationships we with the families we have int he practice today.
9. What's something that you wish you could tell every woman on the brink of experiencing pregnancy and childbirth?
I'd tell them how transformative chiropractic care can be if they start early. So often women come in midway through their pregnancy for pain. Then they realize how much easier it makes the entire process. On their next pregnancy they start chiropractic care early in their first trimester, because they have experienced how significant the benefits are. Pregnancy doesn't have to be painful, it may not always be easy, but it can probably be far easier than you expect.
10. Anything else you want to say that isn't covered here?
Here are some links to the research I mention in the above responses:
1. http://chiropractic.ac.nz/index.php/about-us/college-news/101-new-zealand-research-shows-benefit-of-chiropractic-care-during-pregnancy
2. https://spinalresearch.com.au/wp-content/uploads/Haavik-Pelvic-Floor.pdf
Chiropractic First: 1609 A, Chicago Ave, Evanston, IL
Phone: 847-869-1313
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Chiropractic1st
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