Disclaimer: Some of my blogs contain affiliate links to products that I recommend and receive a small commission when that item is purchased using my link. 

When my patients experience pain caused by strain, I can help them by doing adjustments and by providing exercises and tips to ease the stress on their muscles and joints. The same is true for my pregnant patients whose changing bodies are causing them various forms of discomfort. 

I highly recommend regular chiropractic care for my pregnant patients and suggest using a belly band to make the pregnancy more comfortable as it progresses.

How Belly Bands help

Belly bands are designed to help support the lower back and abdomen during pregnancy. As the baby grows, so does the belly and this can cause stress on the lower back and pelvis. Belly bands are often recommended for certain conditions during pregnancy such as lower back pain, round ligament pain, sciatica, and symphysis pubis dysfunction. If you are experiencing some of these symptoms, a belly band is a low-cost tool that may help relieve some of your pain.

Tips for Using a Belly Band

Belly bands can be very helpful in certain circumstances, but they should be used very carefully.
 

First, you need to make sure you choose the right one. My recommendation is Jill & Joey Maternity Belt. I love that this one is very lightweight. Some of the brands are very thick and firm, but this one is flexible and the mesh makes it breathable, which helps during the hot summer. I also like the velcro option so you have complete control over the amount of compression based on your comfort and belly size. And you can throw it in the washer when it gets stinky! I also love that it's a small family-owned company out of Colorado that makes them.

Next, make sure that you wear it correctly and in the right situations. Wear the belly band during activity that you know causes discomfort, this can be cleaning the house, running errands, or exercising.