Chiropractic Care for Every Stage of Pregnancy: Before, During, and After
Pregnancy is a beautiful journey filled with anticipation, transformation—and let’s be honest—its fair share of physical challenges. Many women experience aches, pains, and bodily changes that can feel overwhelming at times. But did you know that chiropractic care can provide safe, supportive relief not only during pregnancy, but also before conception and after childbirth?
Let’s explore how chiropractic care can benefit mothers and babies at every stage of the journey—with the science to back it up.
Before Pregnancy: Preparing the Body for Conception
Optimising spinal and pelvic alignment before pregnancy can support reproductive health and prepare the body for the physical demands ahead. Misalignments in the spine and pelvis may contribute to nerve interference, which can affect hormone regulation, pelvic organ function, and uterine health.
Although the influence of spinal manipulation on reproductive function is still being explored, emerging studies suggest it may affect autonomic nervous system regulation—potentially influencing fertility outcomes.
By supporting spinal health, chiropractic care may help regulate menstrual cycles, reduce stress, and prepare the pelvis for carrying a baby.
During Pregnancy: Comfort and Support for Mum and Baby
It’s estimated that 50–70% of pregnant women experience low back pain, with many also reporting pelvic girdle pain, round ligament discomfort, and postural strain (Wang et al., 2020). Chiropractic care provides gentle, non-invasive support to help alleviate these issues.
Here are some of the common musculoskeletal conditions during pregnancy:
- Low Back Pain: Caused by increased stress on the lumbar spine due to an anterior shift in the centre of gravity. Compensatory muscle tightness and altered gait patterns also contribute. The severity can vary based on activity level, daily routines, and work demands. It often continues into the postpartum period.
- Sciatic Nerve Pain: Hypertonicity in the gluteal muscles and deep external rotators can irritate or compress the sciatic nerve. Some studies suggest uterine pressure or direct compression of the nerve by the growing baby may also contribute.
- Sacroiliac Pain: Hormone-induced ligament laxity makes the sacroiliac joints more mobile. This increased motion stresses surrounding ligaments and muscles, often mistaken for “hip pain” but localised near the sacroiliac joints.
- Pubic Symphysis Pain: Known as Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (SPD), this condition arises when Relaxin loosens the ligaments stabilising the pubic symphysis. It causes pain and reduced mobility and may lead to pelvic instability.
- Round Ligament Pain: As the uterus expands, the round ligaments stretch, sometimes causing sharp pain on either side of the abdomen or near the pubic bones or labia.
For the Mother:
- Pain Relief: A 2013 study concluded that chiropractic care is associated with clinically relevant reductions in low back and pelvic pain during pregnancy (Oswald et al., 2013).
- Pelvic Balance: Chiropractic care can restore balance in the pelvis and may contribute to better birth outcomes.
- Improved Function & Mobility: Regular chiropractic adjustments help improve movement, reduce muscle tension, and support an active pregnancy.
For the Baby:
- Optimal Positioning: A balanced pelvis may reduce the risk of intrauterine constraint and help create an ideal environment for the baby to move into the correct position before birth. Research shows that proper maternal pelvic alignment may reduce the incidence of breech presentations (Borggren, 2007).
- Improved Circulation: Aligning the spine can improve nervous system function and circulation, supporting foetal growth and development.
Additionally, chiropractic care can support mental wellbeing, helping to reduce pregnancy-related anxiety by promoting relaxation and better sleep.
Postpartum: Recovery and Realignment
The postpartum period is one of profound change—physically, emotionally, and hormonally. From caring for a newborn to adjusting to feeding positions, many mothers experience back, neck, and shoulder pain. Chiropractic care can assist with the recovery process by:
- Restoring Pelvic and Spinal Alignment: A 2020 study found that postpartum women receiving chiropractic care reported improved pelvic floor function and reduced musculoskeletal discomfort (Newel et al., 2024).
- Supporting Postural Health: Repetitive feeding postures and lifting can strain the upper body. Chiropractic adjustments can ease tension and promote better posture (Alcantara et al., 2015).
- Infant Care: Gentle paediatric chiropractic techniques can also support infant development, addressing potential spinal restrictions from birth trauma (Miller et al., 2019).
Is It Safe?
Yes. Chiropractic care is considered safe during pregnancy when performed by chiropractors trained in prenatal and postnatal techniques. Special equipment like pregnancy pillows and modified techniques ensure comfort and safety for both mother and baby.
The UK’s Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists supports the use of manual therapy for musculoskeletal pain in pregnancy when conventional treatments are limited.
Final Thoughts
Chiropractic care offers a holistic and evidence-informed approach to support women throughout their motherhood journey—from preparing for pregnancy, navigating the changes of each trimester, and promoting recovery after birth.
Whether you’re trying to conceive, expecting, or holding your newborn in your arms, chiropractic care can help you feel more balanced, comfortable, and supported.
If you’re curious about how chiropractic care might fit into your prenatal or postpartum plan, we’d love to chat. Reach out to one of our practitioners—your body and baby may thank you.
For extra reading, have a look at our other Spine pregnancy article https://spineepsom.co.uk/can-i-visit-the-chiropractor-during-pregnancy/.
References:
Borggren, C. L. (2007). Pregnancy and chiropractic: a narrative review of the literature. Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, 6(2), 70–74.
Wang, S. M. et al. (2004). Low back pain during pregnancy: Prevalence, risk factors, and outcomes. European Spine Journal, 29(8), 1866–1873.
Newell, D. and Holmes, M.M., 2024. Patient experience and satisfaction with chiropractic care: A systematic review. Journal of Patient Experience, 11, p.23743735241302992.
Miller, J.E., Hanson, H.A., Hiew, M., Kwong, D.S.L.T., Mok, Z. and Tee, Y.H., 2019. Maternal report of outcomes of chiropractic care for infants. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 42(3), pp.167-176.
Weis CA, Pohlman K, Draper C, daSilva-Oolup S, Stuber K, Hawk C. Chiropractic Care for Adults With Pregnancy-Related Low Back, Pelvic Girdle Pain, or Combination Pain: A Systematic Review. J Manipulative Physiol Ther.
