Dr. Jason Godo, DC, RN
Chiropractor and Registered Nurse Serving Chicago
Safe and Gentle Chiropractic Treatment
Pregnancy brings about various changes in the body.
As your baby grows, so do your posture, balance, and center of gravity. Many women start suffering from lower back pain, sciatica, pelvic pain, hip pain, and difficulties sleeping properly as pregnancy advances.
You might have common pregnancy symptoms like:
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Low back pain
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Sciatica
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Pain in the pelvic region
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Painful Hips
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Mid back tightness
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Neck ache
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Sleeping well is not easy
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Changes in posture
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Muscle tension
At Godo Chiropractic, we offer gentle chiropractic care for expecting mothers throughout Chicago who wish to remain active, comfortable, and mobile throughout their pregnancy.
Many of our patients come from Lakeview, Lincoln Park, Wrigleyville, Uptown, River North, and surrounding Chicago neighborhoods for answers to pregnancy-related discomfort.
Many women start looking for answers when pregnancy discomfort begins to impact their daily lives. Some have concerns about back pain or sciatica while others are experiencing pelvic pain, sleep problems or postural changes. One of the most common questions we get is if chiropractic care is safe during pregnancy.
Pregnancy Chiropractic at a Glance
- Chiropractic care is commonly used during pregnancy.
- Many women seek care for back pain, sciatica, and pelvic discomfort.
- Posture changes throughout pregnancy can increase stress on the spine and pelvis.
- Treatment approaches are modified for pregnancy.
- Every pregnancy is different, and recommendations should be individualized.
Is Chiropractic Care Safe During Pregnancy?
One of the most frequently asked questions by pregnant women is:
“Is chiropractic care safe during pregnancy?”
In general, chiropractic care during pregnancy is safe when performed correctly by a licensed health care professional who is knowledgeable of the physical changes that occur during pregnancy.
Pregnancy can be a very stressful time for women, and many look to chiropractic care for the following:
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Low back pain
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Sciatica pain
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Pelvic pain
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Sore Hips
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Muscle stiffness
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Changes in posture
Treatment approaches are modified during pregnancy to suit the changing needs of mother and baby.
If you want to know more, you may also want to read our article: Can You Go to a Chiropractor While Pregnant?
Why Pregnancy Often Causes Back Pain
Many women get back pain during pregnancy.
This is due to a number of reasons:
Changes in Center of Gravity
As the baby grows, the body’s center of gravity moves forward. This puts greater strain on the lower back and pelvis.
Weight Gain
Extra weight puts additional demand on the spine, hips, muscles, and supporting structures.
Hormonal Changes
The hormones of pregnancy help to prepare the body for delivery by loosening the ligaments. But these changes, necessary as they are, may also affect stability and movement patterns.
Changes in Posture
Many women unconsciously change the way they stand, walk, and move around during pregnancy, which can put more strain on certain areas of the body.
Can Pregnancy Cause Sciatica?
Yes.
Pregnancy sometimes plays a role in symptoms associated with sciatica.
Sciatica is an irritation of the sciatic nerve and can cause the following:
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Pain radiating down the leg
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Tingling
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Numbness
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Burning sensations
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Hip pain
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Leg pain while sitting or walking
There is some suggestion that changes in posture, muscle tension, and pelvic mechanics with the progression of pregnancy may contribute to sciatica-type symptoms.
If you are experiencing these symptoms, you may also find our article on Why Your Sciatica Isn’t Going Away
How Pregnancy Changes Your Posture
Posture changes a lot during pregnancy.
As the belly grows, many women get:
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More arch in the lower back
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Posture shifting forward
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Pelvic changes
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Tight hip muscles
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Mid back tightness
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Neck strain
These changes are normal, but they may eventually cause discomfort.
Many expectant mothers notice that symptoms get worse after:
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Standing for long periods
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Walking long distances
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Sitting at work
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Sleeping in certain positions
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Caring for other children
Understanding how posture changes throughout pregnancy is often an important step in managing discomfort.
Common Pregnancy Symptoms We Evaluate
No two pregnancies are the same.
Common symptoms women talk about during their evaluation are:
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Low back pain
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Sciatica pain
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Sore Hips
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Pelvic pain
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Difficulty walking
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Difficulty sleeping comfortably
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Mid-back pain
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Neck ache
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Headaches
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Muscle tension
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Postural stress
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Round ligament discomfort
Our goal is to assist us in better understanding what may be causing your symptoms and if chiropractic care may be appropriate for your case.
Why Pregnant Women Seek Chiropractic Care
Many women seek chiropractic care during pregnancy because they want to:
- Stay active throughout pregnancy
- Walk more comfortably
- Reduce lower back discomfort
- Reduce sciatica symptoms
- Improve mobility
- Sleep more comfortably
- Better understand what may be contributing to their symptoms
- We want to help you understand what might be causing your symptoms and what options you may have going forward.
What to Expect During Your First Visit
Your first visit begins with a conversation.
We want to understand:
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Your symptoms
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How far along are you?
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When symptoms began
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Things that can make symptoms worse
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Prior injuries or medical history
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Your goals and worries
Your evaluation may include:
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Health history review
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Posture assessment
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Movement evaluation
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Orthopedic testing as indicated
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Discussion of the results
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Customized suggestions
We want to help you understand what might be causing your symptoms and what options you may have going forward.
Chiropractor and Registered Nurse: A Different View
Many pregnant women like the fact that I am a Doctor of Chiropractic and also a Registered Nurse.
During pregnancy, many women want reassurance, clear communication, and answers to their questions. My nursing background often helps patients feel more comfortable discussing concerns about their symptoms and overall health.
With pregnancy often comes questions, concerns, and uncertainty as to what is normal and what is not. Many women say they feel more at ease discussing their symptoms because of my nursing background and experience working with patients in healthcare settings.
While chiropractic care focuses on the musculoskeletal system, my nursing education offers me additional insight into patient care, communication, and the physical changes that occur throughout the body.
For many pregnant women, knowing that their provider is both a chiropractor and a registered nurse helps to create an additional layer of confidence and trust during an important stage of life.
Why Patients Choose Godo Chiropractic
Why do patients choose our office? They want:
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Personalized care
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Thorough evaluations
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Clear explanations
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Honest recommendations
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Convenient Chicago location
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Same-day appointments often available
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No pressure to long-term treatment plans
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Chiropractor and Registered Nurse
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Over 20 years of clinical experience
For over 20 years, Dr. Jason Godo, DC, RN has been assisting patients to better understand the relationship between posture, movement, spinal function, and pain.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you go to a chiropractor while pregnant?
In many cases, yes. Many pregnant women seek chiropractic care to help with musculoskeletal discomfort and mobility issues.
What trimester can I see a chiropractor?
Many women seek chiropractic care during the first, second, and third trimesters. The approach is tailored to the individual needs and stage of pregnancy.
Can pregnancy cause sciatica?
Yes. Pregnancy can cause changes in posture, tightness in muscles, and changes in pelvic mechanics, which can cause sciatica-type symptoms.
Can a chiropractor help with pregnancy back pain?
Many pregnant women seek chiropractic care for lower back pain, hip pain, pelvic pain, or sciatica symptoms.
Is chiropractic care safe after delivery?
Many women continue care post-childbirth as their body adjusts to the physical demands of recovery, lifting, feeding, and caring for a newborn.
Do I need a referral?
Most patients do not require a referral to schedule an evaluation.
How might chiropractic help with pregnancy pelvic pain?
Many women turn to chiropractic care for pelvic pain that arises as pregnancy advances. Symptoms can be a result of changes in posture, weight distribution, and pelvic mechanics.
$29 New Patient Evaluation
If you have back pain related to pregnancy, sciatica, pelvic discomfort, changes in posture, or muscle tension, our $29 New Patient Evaluation can help us determine what is contributing to your symptoms.
Your evaluation includes:
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Consultation
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Health history review
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Posture assessment
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Movement evaluation
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Doctor examination
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Personalized recommendations
No pressure. No long-term commitment required.
Final Thought
Pregnancy places special demands on the body.
As you begin to change your posture and your body adjusts to accommodate the developing baby, you may develop symptoms like backache, sciatica, pelvic discomfort, muscle tension, and restricted movement.
Often the first step towards relief is understanding what may be contributing to these symptoms.
Many women simply want to stay active, comfortable, and mobile throughout pregnancy while understanding what may be contributing to their symptoms. Whether you’re experiencing back pain, sciatica, pelvic discomfort, or posture-related stress, an evaluation can help identify potential contributing factors and determine appropriate next steps.
If you are searching for a pregnancy chiropractor in Chicago or have concerns about the safety of chiropractic during pregnancy, we are here to assist you in understanding whether care is appropriate for you.