Understanding the Safety, Benefits, and What to Expect From Chiropractic Care During Pregnancy
Many women ask the same question after becoming pregnant: Can I go to a chiropractor while pregnant?
In most cases, the answer is yes. In my Chicago office, pregnancy-related back pain, pelvic discomfort, and posture changes are some of the most common concerns I evaluate.
Chiropractic care can be modified specifically for pregnancy and may help address common concerns such as lower back pain, pelvic discomfort, sciatica, posture changes, and muscle tension. However, every pregnancy is unique, which is why a proper evaluation is important.
Pregnancy creates significant changes throughout the body. As your baby grows, your center of gravity shifts forward. Consequently, your posture changes, your joints loosen, and your muscles work harder to support additional weight.
As a result, many women experience lower back pain, pelvic discomfort, hip pain, sciatica, neck pain, mid-back tension, and difficulty sleeping comfortably.
Fortunately, chiropractic care during pregnancy may help improve comfort and mobility while supporting normal movement throughout pregnancy.
Is Chiropractic Care Safe During Pregnancy?
One of the biggest concerns expectant mothers have is safety.
The good news is that chiropractors can modify techniques specifically for pregnancy. In addition, specialized pregnancy tables and positioning methods allow women to remain comfortable throughout an evaluation and treatment.
Most pregnancy chiropractors avoid unnecessary pressure on the abdomen and instead focus on:
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Pelvic alignment
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Lower back mobility
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Posture
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Muscle balance
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Joint movement
Every pregnancy is unique. Therefore, it is always important to discuss any concerns with both your chiropractor and obstetric provider.
For more information about pregnancy health and wellness, visit the American Pregnancy Association.
Why Pregnancy Causes Back Pain
As pregnancy progresses, your body undergoes major structural changes.
First, hormones increase ligament flexibility to prepare for childbirth.
Next, your growing baby changes the way weight is distributed through your pelvis and spine.
Because of these changes, many women develop:
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Lower back pain
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Pelvic instability
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Sacroiliac joint irritation
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Muscle fatigue
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Hip discomfort
In fact, lower back pain is one of the most common complaints during pregnancy.
Many of these symptoms are similar to the conditions discussed in our article about lower back pain.
Can Pregnancy Cause Sciatica?
Yes.
Many women develop symptoms that resemble sciatica during pregnancy.
These symptoms may include:
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Pain in the buttock
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Leg pain
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Tingling
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Burning sensations
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Numbness
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Pain that worsens when standing
Sometimes the growing uterus places pressure on nearby tissues. Other times, altered posture and pelvic mechanics contribute to nerve irritation.
Learn more in our article about why sciatica isn’t going away.
How Posture Changes During Pregnancy
Posture changes dramatically throughout pregnancy.
As the abdomen expands, many women begin to:
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Lean backward
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Round their shoulders
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Push their head forward
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Increase the arch in their lower back
Consequently, tension often develops in the neck, upper back, shoulders, and hips.
These changes may contribute to:
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Headaches
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Neck stiffness
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Mid-back discomfort
If posture-related discomfort sounds familiar, read our article on Tech Neck and Forward Head Posture.
As pregnancy progresses, many women also notice tension in the shoulders and upper back.
Learn more about shoulder pain and when it may actually be coming from the neck.
Potential Benefits of Chiropractic Care During Pregnancy
While every patient responds differently, many women seek chiropractic care to help manage:
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Lower back pain
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Pelvic discomfort
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Hip pain
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Sciatica
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Neck tension
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Headaches
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Postural stress
Additionally, improving movement and reducing tension may help women stay more active throughout pregnancy.
The goal is not simply to reduce pain. Rather, the goal is to help the body move as comfortably and efficiently as possible during a period of rapid physical change.
What I Look For During a Pregnancy Evaluation
When a pregnant patient visits my office, I focus on understanding how her body is adapting to pregnancy.
During an evaluation, I typically assess:
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Posture
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Pelvic alignment
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Hip movement
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Walking patterns
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Spinal mobility
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Areas of muscle tension
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Daily activities that may aggravate symptoms
From there, I create recommendations based on the patient’s stage of pregnancy, symptoms, and goals.
What to Expect During Your First Visit
Many women are nervous before their first appointment.
However, most are surprised by how comfortable and straightforward the process feels.
A typical visit includes:
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Health history review
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Consultation
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Movement evaluation
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Posture assessment
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Explanation of findings
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Personalized recommendations
My goal is to answer questions and help patients understand what may be contributing to their symptoms.
Learn more about what to expect during your first chiropractic visit.
How to Choose a Pregnancy Chiropractor
Not all chiropractors work regularly with pregnant patients.
Therefore, it helps to look for a chiropractor who:
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Has experience working with pregnant women
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Understands pregnancy-related biomechanical changes
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Uses pregnancy-friendly positioning
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Explains treatment clearly
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Creates individualized recommendations
Feeling comfortable and informed should always be part of the process.
Read our guide on choosing the right chiropractor.
When Should You Schedule an Evaluation?
Consider scheduling an evaluation if you experience:
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Persistent lower back pain
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Pelvic discomfort
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Hip pain
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Sciatica symptoms
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Difficulty walking comfortably
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Increasing postural strain
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Headaches or neck pain during pregnancy
The earlier you identify movement and posture issues, the easier it often becomes to address them.
Frequently Asked Questions About Chiropractic Care During Pregnancy
Can I go to a chiropractor while pregnant?
In most cases, yes. Chiropractors can modify techniques specifically for pregnancy and avoid unnecessary pressure on the abdomen.
Is chiropractic care safe during pregnancy?
Many pregnant women receive chiropractic care throughout pregnancy. However, every pregnancy is different, so it is important to discuss your specific situation with your healthcare providers.
When should I see a chiropractor during pregnancy?
Many women seek care when they experience lower back pain, pelvic discomfort, sciatica, hip pain, or posture-related tension.
Can chiropractic care help pregnancy-related back pain?
Many pregnant women seek chiropractic care to help improve mobility, reduce tension, and manage discomfort associated with pregnancy-related postural changes.
Do chiropractors use special tables for pregnant patients?
Many offices use pregnancy-friendly positioning and specialized equipment designed to improve comfort during evaluations and treatment.
Pregnancy Symptoms Can Change By Trimester
During the first trimester, some women experience fatigue and postural changes.
During the second trimester, shifting weight distribution often increases stress on the lower back and pelvis.
During the third trimester, many women notice increased pelvic pressure, hip discomfort, and difficulty finding comfortable sleeping positions.
$29 New Patient Evaluation
If you are pregnant and experiencing discomfort, I invite you to schedule a new patient evaluation.
Your visit includes:
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Consultation
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Movement evaluation
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Posture assessment
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Doctor recommendations
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Time to ask questions
The goal is simple: help you understand what may be causing your symptoms and determine whether chiropractic care may be appropriate for you.
Final Thought
Pregnancy places extraordinary demands on the body. Although some discomfort is common, that does not mean you should ignore persistent pain.
If you have been wondering, “Can I go to a chiropractor while pregnant?”, the answer for many women is yes.
A thorough evaluation can help identify posture changes, movement restrictions, and other factors that may be contributing to discomfort. Most importantly, it can help you make informed decisions about your health during pregnancy.
Many pregnant women are surprised to learn how much posture, movement patterns, and pelvic mechanics change throughout pregnancy. Therefore, addressing these issues early may help improve comfort and confidence as your body adapts to each stage of pregnancy.
Dr. Jason Godo, Chiropractor in Chicago
