Is chiropractic safe during pregnancy?

As your body changes to accommodate a growing baby, it is common to experience new aches and pains. This fact sheet is designed to help you understand the safety and benefits of chiropractic care during this special time.

In this article, Dr. Simon Nash (Chiropractor) discusses the common musculoskeletal complaints associated with pregnancy and how chiropractic techniques are adapted to ensure safety for both mother and baby.

Medical Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general knowledge and informational purposes only, and does not constitute medical advice. It is essential to consult with your GP or obstetrician before starting any new health program during pregnancy.

Table of Contents

1. Understanding Pregnancy-Related Discomfort
2. Is Chiropractic Care Safe During Pregnancy?
3. Common Conditions Treated
4. Adapting Techniques for Every Trimester
5. The Benefits of a Balanced Pelvis
6. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
7. Book a Consult with Our Chiro Brisbane
8. References
9. Video Transcript

Understanding Pregnancy-Related Discomfort

Pregnancy is a period of rapid physiological and biomechanical change. As the baby grows, your centre of gravity shifts forward, increasing the curve in your lower back and putting extra pressure on your joints and ligaments. Additionally, the body releases a hormone called relaxin, which softens the ligaments in the pelvis to prepare for childbirth. While essential, this increased laxity can lead to instability and pain.

“Obviously as the pregnancy changes… and later on in pregnancy you would see different postural issues, different issues around the biomechanics of the body,” explains Dr. Simon Nash (Chiropractor).

Is Chiropractic Care Safe During Pregnancy?

One of the most frequent questions expectant mothers ask is whether chiropractic care is safe for their developing baby. The short answer is yes. Chiropractors are trained to work with pregnant women, using specialised techniques that avoid unnecessary pressure on the abdomen.

“Is chiropractic safe during pregnancy? This is a question we get a lot of the time in clinic… So yes, is the answer,” says Dr. Nash.

“We adapt and change our treatment depending on each stage of pregnancy.”

Research supports this clinical experience. A study published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics found that a high percentage of pregnant women reported significant improvement in pain levels with chiropractic care, with no adverse effects on the pregnancy (Stuber & Smith, 2008)

Common Conditions Treated

As the body’s biomechanics shift, various areas can become overloaded.

Our team often sees women seeking relief for:

1. Sciatic Pain: Pressure on the sciatic nerve as the baby grows or the pelvis shifts.
2. Pubic Symphysis Dysfunction (PSD): Pain at the front of the pelvis.
3. Sacroiliac (SI) Joint Pain: Deep ache in the lower back or buttocks.
4. Upper Thoracic Pain: Often caused by breast tissue growth and postural changes.

Dr. Nash notes, “We typically would see patients with pregnancy that might have sciatic pain. It’s quite common. They might have pubic pain, sacroiliac joint pain, even upper thoracic pain.”

Adapting Techniques for Every Trimester

A chiropractic visit while pregnant looks quite different from a standard visit. We prioritise comfort and safety above all else, ensuring you never feel strained or uncomfortable during your session.

“We use things such as belly pillows, different positioning,” Dr. Nash explains. “We might not use different techniques that we’d used in the past with that patient… we would adapt our techniques for pregnancy.”

Dr. Nash adds:

“The goal is never to force a change, but to support the body’s natural adaptation. During pregnancy, we move away from high-force adjustments toward gentle, sustained movements that respect the increased ligament laxity.”

By using specialised equipment like “pregnancy pillows” (which have a cutout for the belly), you can safely lie face-down, providing a rare and welcome moment of relief for your lower back.

The Benefits of a Balanced Pelvis

Maintaining pelvic balance is crucial during pregnancy. A misaligned pelvis can restrict the amount of room available for the developing baby (intrauterine constraint) and may make it more difficult for the baby to get into the best possible position for delivery.

The “Webster Technique” is a specific chiropractic analysis and adjustment often used during pregnancy to improve neuro-biomechanical function in the pelvis. A review in the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine highlights that chiropractic care can play a significant role in managing pregnancy-related back and pelvic pain (LeFebvre et al., 2012). Dr. Nash further notes:

“When the pelvis is balanced, the nervous system can function with less interference, which is vital for both the mother’s comfort and the baby’s environment.”

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: At what stage of pregnancy can I start seeing a chiropractor? A: You can seek care at any stage, from the first trimester through to the final weeks. We adapt our techniques based on your specific trimester.

Q2: Will the adjustment hurt my baby? A: No. Chiropractors use very gentle, low-force techniques and avoid any direct pressure on the abdomen.

Q3: Can chiropractic help with morning sickness? A: While primarily focused on musculoskeletal health, some women find that balancing the nervous system through spinal care helps them feel better overall during the early stages.

Q4: Do I need a referral from my GP? A: No, you do not need a referral to see a chiropractor in Australia, though we are always happy to co-manage your care with your GP or midwife.

Q5: Is it safe to lie on my stomach during the appointment? A: Yes, we use specialised “belly pillows” with a hollow centre that allow you to lie face-down comfortably without putting any pressure on the baby.

Q6: How often should I come in while pregnant? A: This varies. Some women come in for acute pain, while others choose monthly “maintenance” visits to keep their pelvis balanced as they grow.

Book a Consult with Our Chiro Brisbane

We know how exhausting it can be when the joy of expecting a new baby is overshadowed by constant back pain or the sharp sting of sciatica. It can feel like your body is no longer your own, and simple tasks like getting out of the car or sleeping through the night become a struggle.

At Our Chiro Brisbane, we are here to support you. Our team provides gentle, empathetic care tailored to your specific needs. Whether you are seeking relief from pregnancy-related pain or looking for rehabilitative exercises to strengthen your body for labor, we are dedicated to helping you feel your best. Book now or call 0732570399

References

• Stuber, K. J., & Smith, D. L. (2008). Chiropractic Treatment of Pregnancy-Related Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review of the Evidence. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 31(6), 447–454. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmpt.2008.06.009
• LeFebvre, R., Peterson, D., & Haas, M. (2012). Evidence-Based Practice and Chiropractic Care. Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary & Alternative Medicine, 18(1), 75–79. https://doi.org/10.1177/2156587212458435

Video Transcript

Is chiropractic safe during pregnancy? This is a question we get a lot of the time in clinic um from our patients that have become pregnant. So yes um is the answer. Uh we adapt and change our treatment depending on each stage of pregnancy. So for each trimester um we might do different things. Um we use things such as belly pillows, different positioning. Um we might not use different techniques um that we’d used in the past with that patient. we would adapt uh our our techniques for 2 pregnancy. Um we use typically a lot more low force techniques um and gentler. Uh we typically would see patients uh with pregnancy that might have sciatic pain is quite common. They might have pubic pain um sacraliac joint pain even upper thoracic pain. Um obviously as the as the pregnancy changes um and later on in pregnancy you would see different postural issues, different issues around the biomechanics of of the body. So yes, it’s safe and we would adapt our treatment accordingly um for the for the individual that we’re treating.