Back pain in pregnancy
Lower back and pelvic pain are common in pregnancy as weight, posture and the ligaments around the pelvis change.
Chiropractic care may help you manage pregnancy-related back and pelvic pain. Care is adapted to you and to how far along you are, and we keep your midwife or obstetrician in the loop whenever you want us to.
What it is
As the pregnancy progresses the centre of gravity shifts forward, the curve of the lower back increases, and the ligaments around the pelvis loosen. The joints of the lower back and pelvis take more load with less support, which is why pain often shows up in the lower back, the sacroiliac joints at the back of the pelvis, or the pubic joint at the front.
We work with the musculoskeletal side of pregnancy: your back, pelvis and the muscles around them. We make no claims about the baby, the birth or the pregnancy itself.
What we assess
- Your history, including how the pregnancy is going and anything your midwife or doctor has flagged.
- How your lower back, pelvis and hips are moving and loading as your posture changes.
- Joint, muscle and nerve testing, with hands-on examination. We do not X-ray during pregnancy.
Your initial consultation is $49 and includes the examination, an adjustment if clinically indicated, and the planning session where we go through what we found. We do not X-ray during pregnancy. What to expect →
What care looks like
Gentle adjustments to the lower back and pelvis using positions and techniques adapted for pregnancy, including side-lying and pregnancy pillows.
At-home work: positions for sleep and sitting, simple movement and strengthening, and ways to get through the day with less load on the pelvis.
A plan with a number of visits, reviewed as the pregnancy progresses. Like all treatments, chiropractic care can have side effects; the common ones are mild and short-lived, such as soreness after an adjustment. We discuss this with you before care starts.
When to see your GP first
Some symptoms need a doctor before anyone else. See your GP, or emergency care, if you have:
- Any bleeding, fluid loss, contractions, reduced movements or severe abdominal pain: contact your midwife, obstetrician or hospital, not us.
- Back pain with fever, or with any change in bladder or bowel control.
- If you have a high-risk pregnancy, check with your obstetrician before starting any hands-on care.
If you are unsure, call us and ask. We would rather send you to the right person than have you guess.
Questions
Is chiropractic care appropriate in pregnancy?
For pregnancy-related back and pelvic pain, adapted care is widely used. Like all treatments it can have side effects, and there are situations where we would not treat; that is part of what the first visit works out. Keep your midwife or obstetrician informed.
Do you treat the baby or help with the birth?
No. We make no claims about the baby, the position of the baby, or labour. Our care is for your back and pelvis.
Ready when you are.
Your initial consultation is $49 and includes the examination, an adjustment if clinically indicated, and the planning session where we go through what we found. We do not X-ray during pregnancy.