Back and hip pain during pregnancy affects up to 70% of expectant mothers, making simple daily activities like walking, sleeping, and even sitting uncomfortable. As your body changes to accommodate your growing baby, the additional weight and shifting center of gravity place extra stress on your spine and pelvis. While some discomfort is expected, severe or persistent pain doesn’t have to be part of your pregnancy journey.
Chiropractic care offers a safe, non-invasive approach to managing pregnancy-related pain without medication. Many pregnant women are turning to qualified chiropractors for relief, but you may wonder if these treatments are truly effective and safe for both you and your baby. In this article, we take a closer look.
How Pregnancy Changes Your Body’s Alignment
During pregnancy, your body undergoes remarkable transformations that can affect your musculoskeletal system in several ways, including:
Hormonal Changes and Joint Mobility
Your body releases a hormone called relaxin during pregnancy, which loosens ligaments and joints to prepare for childbirth. While necessary for delivery, this increased mobility can lead to instability in your pelvis and spine, contributing to pain and discomfort.
Weight Distribution and Posture
As your baby grows, your center of gravity shifts forward. Your lower back naturally curves more to compensate for this change, placing additional pressure on your lumbar spine. Many women develop an exaggerated lordosis (swayback) posture that can strain back muscles and spinal joints.
Your expanding uterus also puts pressure on surrounding organs and tissues, potentially affecting nerve function and causing radiating pain in your back, hips, and legs.
Between these physical changes, your spine and pelvis can become misaligned, leading to discomfort that affects your quality of life throughout pregnancy.
How Chiropractic Care Helps During Pregnancy
Chiropractic treatment during pregnancy focuses on maintaining proper alignment and function of your spine and pelvis without the use of medications. Here’s what you can expect!
Safe Spinal Adjustments
Prenatal chiropractic care uses gentle techniques specifically designed for pregnant women. These adjustments help restore proper alignment in your spine and pelvis, potentially reducing pressure on nerves and alleviating pain. Chiropractors trained in prenatal care use specialized tables and positioning to ensure your comfort and safety.
Pelvic Balance
Many pregnancy-related pains stem from pelvic imbalance. When your pelvis is misaligned, it can increase tension on the uterine ligaments and potentially restrict space for your developing baby. Chiropractic care aims to restore balance to your pelvis, which may help reduce pain and create an optimal environment for fetal development and positioning.
Additional Benefits
Beyond pain relief, regular chiropractic care during pregnancy may offer several other benefits, such as:
- Reduced nausea symptoms
- Shorter labor and delivery times
- Lower likelihood of breech presentation
- Improved overall function and mobility
A properly aligned spine and pelvis support optimal nervous system function, which coordinates all bodily processes—including those related to pregnancy and childbirth.
Is Prenatal Chiropractic Care Safe?
Safety is understandably a primary concern for expectant mothers considering any form of treatment. The good news is that chiropractic care during pregnancy is generally considered safe when provided by chiropractors with specific training in prenatal care.
Many chiropractors have additional certification in techniques designed specifically for pregnant women, such as the Webster Technique—a method focused on establishing pelvic balance to reduce stress on the uterus and supporting ligaments.
Before beginning treatment, a qualified chiropractor will thoroughly review your medical history and may consult with your obstetrician or midwife to ensure the most appropriate care plan for your specific situation.
While chiropractic care is safe for most pregnant women, certain high-risk pregnancy conditions may require modification or postponement of treatment. Always discuss any complementary care with your prenatal healthcare provider.
Pregnancy should be a time of joy and anticipation, not constant discomfort. If back or hip pain is affecting your daily life, prenatal chiropractic care might offer the relief you’re seeking without the potential side effects of medication.
At Keystone Chiropractic, your Plano chiropractor is trained in prenatal chiropractic techniques. Ready to discover how chiropractic care can help you throughout your pregnancy? Book your appointment today.
