Pregnancy Changes Your Body in Ways You Cannot Always Prepare For
Growing a baby is one of the most physically demanding things your body will ever do. Over the course of nine months, your center of gravity shifts forward, your ligaments loosen due to hormonal changes, and your lower back bears an increasing load that it was not designed to carry.
It is no surprise that back pain is one of the most common complaints during pregnancy. Studies suggest that between 50 and 70 percent of pregnant women experience significant back pain at some point during their pregnancy. For many, the discomfort starts in the second trimester and intensifies as the baby grows.
Chiropractic care offers a safe, drug-free way to manage these changes and help you feel better throughout your pregnancy.
Is Chiropractic Care Safe During Pregnancy?
Yes. Chiropractic care is widely recognized as safe during pregnancy when performed by a trained provider. The American Pregnancy Association considers chiropractic treatment to be a safe and effective approach for managing pregnancy-related discomfort.
At Advanced Wellness Chiropractic, Dr. JC uses gentle techniques and modified positioning to ensure comfort and safety for expecting mothers. Treatment tables can be adjusted to accommodate a growing belly, and the adjustment techniques are adapted to the unique needs of pregnant patients.
There are no known contraindications to chiropractic care during a normal, healthy pregnancy. However, Dr. JC will review your complete health history and pregnancy status before beginning any treatment. If you have a high-risk pregnancy or specific complications, he will coordinate with your OB-GYN to make sure chiropractic care is appropriate for your situation.
Common Pregnancy Complaints That Chiropractic Helps
Lower Back Pain
As your baby grows, your center of gravity shifts forward. Your lumbar spine curves more to compensate, placing extra stress on the joints, discs, and muscles of your lower back. This postural shift is the primary driver of pregnancy-related low back pain.
Chiropractic adjustments restore proper alignment to the lumbar spine, reducing the strain on joints and muscles. Most patients feel noticeably better after just a few visits.
Pelvic Pain
The hormone relaxin loosens your ligaments in preparation for delivery. While this is necessary, it can also make your pelvic joints less stable, leading to pain in the sacroiliac joints (the joints where your spine connects to your pelvis). This pain often shows up as a deep ache in the buttocks or lower back that worsens with walking, climbing stairs, or rolling over in bed.
Gentle pelvic adjustments help maintain proper alignment in the sacroiliac joints, reducing pain and improving stability.
Round Ligament Pain
Sharp, stabbing pain on the sides of your lower abdomen is often caused by the round ligaments that support the uterus. As the uterus expands, these ligaments stretch and can become irritated. While chiropractic adjustments do not directly treat the round ligaments, maintaining proper pelvic alignment reduces the asymmetric tension that can make this pain worse.
Sciatica
Pregnancy-related sciatica occurs when the growing uterus or postural changes place pressure on the sciatic nerve. The result is pain, numbness, or tingling that runs from the lower back down the leg. Chiropractic adjustments combined with gentle soft tissue work can relieve this compression and restore comfort.
Neck and Upper Back Pain
The changes in your lower body affect everything above it too. As your low back curve increases, your upper back and neck compensate by shifting forward. This can lead to neck pain, tension headaches, and stiffness between the shoulder blades.
Benefits Beyond Pain Relief
Chiropractic care during pregnancy is not just about managing discomfort. Regular adjustments offer several additional benefits:
Maintaining Pelvic Alignment
A balanced pelvis gives your baby the most room to move into the optimal position for delivery. When the pelvis is misaligned, it can restrict the space available to the baby and potentially contribute to a breech or posterior presentation.
Keeping the pelvis properly aligned throughout pregnancy supports the baby's ability to find the best position for birth.
Supporting a Smoother Delivery
When your pelvis is balanced and your lower back is functioning well, your body is better prepared for the physical demands of labor. Some studies have shown that women who receive regular chiropractic care during pregnancy report shorter labor times and less need for pain medication during delivery.
Reducing the Need for Medication
Many pain medications are restricted during pregnancy, leaving expecting mothers with few options for managing discomfort. Chiropractic care provides effective pain relief without any medication, making it an ideal choice for pregnant women who want to minimize their exposure to drugs.
What the Research Says
Safety during pregnancy: A retrospective study published in BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth (Sadr et al., 2012) examined pregnant women receiving chiropractic care and found no serious adverse events. The most common side effect was mild, temporary soreness — consistent with the safety profile seen in the general population.
Back pain reduction: A randomized controlled trial published in the Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health (George et al., 2013) found that pregnant women who received chiropractic care reported significantly less pain and better daily function compared to those who received standard obstetric care alone.
Shorter labor times: A retrospective analysis published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics (Fallon, 1991) found that first-time mothers who received chiropractic care throughout pregnancy had average labor times 25% shorter than the national average, and experienced mothers had labor times 31% shorter. While this is an older study and more research is needed, it aligns with the clinical rationale that a properly aligned pelvis facilitates the labor process.
Pelvic alignment and fetal position: Research published in the Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health has documented cases where chiropractic adjustments focused on pelvic balance helped facilitate optimal fetal positioning in late pregnancy, potentially reducing the need for medical intervention during delivery.
When Should You Start?
You can begin chiropractic care at any point during your pregnancy. Some women start before they become pregnant to optimize their spinal health in preparation. Others begin when symptoms appear, typically during the second or third trimester.
There is no wrong time to start. However, the earlier you begin, the more effectively we can manage the postural changes that occur as your pregnancy progresses. Many of our patients visit every two to four weeks throughout their pregnancy, adjusting the frequency as needed.
What a Visit Looks Like
When you come to Advanced Wellness Chiropractic for prenatal care, Dr. JC will perform a gentle examination to assess your spinal alignment and identify areas of tension or restriction. Treatment is modified for pregnancy:
- Positioning is adjusted so you are always comfortable. You will never be asked to lie flat on your stomach.
- Techniques are gentler. The adjustments used during pregnancy are low-force and specifically adapted for the changes happening in your body.
- Complementary therapies such as massage therapy may be recommended to help with muscle tension and relaxation.
Each visit is tailored to where you are in your pregnancy and how your body is responding.
Take Care of Yourself While You Take Care of Your Baby
Pregnancy is a time to prioritize your health. The better you feel physically, the more you can enjoy this experience and prepare for what comes next. Chiropractic care is one of the safest, most effective ways to support your body through the demands of pregnancy.
If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant in the Bridgeton, MO, area, Advanced Wellness Chiropractic is here to help you feel your best.
Schedule your prenatal consultation today or call (636) 393-8390.