Can You Go to the Chiropractor While Pregnant?

At Whole Body Wellness in Riverside, CA, I hear this question constantly from expectant mothers: "Can you go to the chiropractor while pregnant?"

The answer is absolutely yes, and many of your concerns about safety dissolve once you understand how gentle, specialized prenatal chiropractic care truly is.

Is It Safe to Go to the Chiropractor While Pregnant?

Clear answer: Yes – when care is provided by a chiropractor trained in prenatal techniques and modifications.

Safety Backed by Research

Is chiropractic safe during pregnancy? Multiple studies confirm exceptional safety records. Research by Stuber and Smith in Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics found no increased risk of adverse events from chiropractic care during pregnancy compared to general pregnant populations.

In fact, complications from prenatal chiropractic care are extraordinarily rare – far less common than risks from common pregnancy medications like NSAIDs or even prenatal vitamins when taken incorrectly.

Emphasis on Gentle, Pregnancy-Specific Techniques

Chiropractor while pregnant care looks nothing like what you might imagine from videos you've seen online. There's no forceful cracking, twisting, or pressure on your abdomen – ever.

We use specialized techniques designed specifically for pregnant bodies:

• Light, controlled pressure appropriate for loosened ligaments
• Modified positions accommodating your growing belly
• Pregnancy-specific adjustment tables with belly cutouts
• Techniques that never involve lying on your stomach

See more: Chiropractic Care During Pregnancy

Importance of Proper Training and Experience

Not every chiropractor has prenatal training. Look for practitioners who've completed specialized coursework through organizations like the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA) and have experience treating pregnant patients regularly.

As a chiropractor Riverside expecting mothers trust, I've invested in advanced prenatal training because pregnancy care requires specialized knowledge beyond standard chiropractic education.

How Chiropractic Adjustments Are Modified During Pregnancy

Understanding how we adapt techniques for pregnancy helps ease safety concerns many expectant mothers have.

Gentle, Low-Force Techniques

Chiropractic care during pregnancy uses minimal force – often just gentle pressure from fingertips rather than the quick thrusts sometimes used in standard adjustments.

Why this works: Your body produces relaxin hormone loosening ligaments in preparation for birth. This means your joints move more easily, requiring significantly less force to adjust.

Pregnancy-Safe Tables and Cushions

We never have you lie flat on your stomach. Instead, we use:

• Specialized pregnancy tables with adjustable sections and belly cutouts allowing comfortable positioning without pressure on your abdomen.
• Supportive cushioning systems creating space for your belly while maintaining proper spinal positioning.
• Wedge pillows and bolsters supporting your body in side-lying positions when table accommodations aren't appropriate.

Side-Lying and Supported Positions

Most pregnancy adjustments occur in side-lying positions – the same comfortable position you probably sleep in during later pregnancy.

Benefits of side-lying adjustments:

• No pressure on baby or abdomen
• Comfortable for mother throughout all trimesters
• Allows safe, effective spinal corrections
• Natural position your body already prefers

No Twisting, Cracking or Abdominal Pressure

What we NEVER do during pregnancy:

• Apply any direct pressure to your abdomen
• Use forceful rotational techniques
• Perform adjustments that strain your changing center of gravity
• Use positions that compress your belly or restrict blood flow

Your baby's safety is our absolute priority – adjustments are designed with this principle guiding every technique choice.

Conditions Chiropractic Care May Help During Pregnancy

Pregnancy chiropractor visits address numerous common discomforts that make these months challenging.

Pregnancy-Related Low Back Pain

Up to 70% of pregnant women experience low back pain. As your belly grows, your center of gravity shifts forward, creating an increased curve in your lower back (lumbar lordosis) and straining surrounding muscles and joints.

How chiropractic helps:

• Gentle adjustments restore proper spinal alignment
• Reduces excessive lumbar curve strain
• Releases tight muscles compensating for postural changes
• Improves pelvic balance reducing asymmetrical stress

Pelvic and Hip Pain

Your pelvis undergoes remarkable changes during pregnancy. Hormones loosen ligaments, your hip joints widen, and uneven weight distribution can create sharp, stabbing pains in your hips and groin area.

Chiropractic addresses:

• Sacroiliac (SI) joint dysfunction
• Pubic symphysis pain
• Hip joint misalignment
• Uneven pelvic positioning

These adjustments don't just reduce pain – they help your pelvis function optimally as it prepares for birth.

Sciatica

When your growing uterus or misaligned pelvis compresses the sciatic nerve, you experience shooting pain down your buttock and leg – often accompanied by numbness or tingling.

Relief through chiropractic:

• Spinal adjustments reduce nerve compression
• Pelvic corrections create more space for nerve pathways
• Soft tissue work releases muscles (like piriformis) that may trap the sciatic nerve

Round Ligament Discomfort

Round ligaments support your uterus and stretch significantly during pregnancy, creating sharp pains in your lower abdomen and groin – especially with sudden movements.

How we help: Gentle adjustments improve pelvic alignment, reducing excessive tension on these ligaments. We also teach positions and movements minimizing ligament strain.

Postural Strain From Weight Changes

Rapid weight gain in your abdomen pulls your body forward, creating compensatory postural changes that strain your neck, upper back, and shoulders.

Chiropractic corrects:

• Forward head posture from looking down at your belly
• Rounded shoulders from breast enlargement
• Upper back tension from altered mechanics
• Neck pain from changed sleeping positions

Choosing a Prenatal Chiropractor You Can Trust

Finding the right Webster Technique chiropractor ensures safe, effective care throughout your pregnancy.

Prenatal Training and Experience

Essential qualifications:

• ICPA certification in prenatal chiropractic
• Webster Technique certification
• Regular experience treating pregnant patients (ask what percentage of their practice is prenatal care)
• Continuing education in pregnancy-specific techniques

Familiarity With the Webster Technique

The Webster Technique is the gold standard for prenatal chiropractic care. Webster Technique chiropractors complete specialized training in:

• Sacral subluxation analysis
• Pelvic balance assessment
• Pregnancy-specific adjusting protocols
• Round ligament and soft tissue techniques
• Contraindications and safety protocols

Patient-Centered, Gentle Approach

Your prenatal chiropractor should:

• Listen carefully to your concerns
• Explain techniques before using them
• Work at your comfort level
• Communicate with your OB/midwife when needed
• Provide clear guidance about what to expect

Trust your instincts – you should feel completely comfortable and safe with your chosen practitioner.

Experience Comfortable Pregnancy Through Chiropractic Care

Can you go to the chiropractor while pregnant? Absolutely and you'll likely wish you'd started sooner once you experience the relief and improved function gentle prenatal chiropractic provides.

At Whole Body Wellness, we specialize in prenatal chiropractic care, including certified Webster Technique treatment. Our pregnancy-specific approach ensures your safety and comfort while addressing the unique challenges your changing body faces.

Don't spend another day uncomfortable. Schedule your prenatal chiropractic evaluation today. We'll assess your specific needs, answer all your questions, and create a gentle care plan helping you feel your best throughout pregnancy and preparing your body optimally for birth.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is chiropractic safe in the first trimester? 

Yes. Gentle chiropractic care is safe throughout pregnancy, including the first trimester. Early care can actually help establish good pelvic alignment before significant body changes occur.

How often should pregnant women see a chiropractor? 

This varies by individual needs. Common schedules include:

Your chiropractor adjusts this schedule based on your specific symptoms and response to care.

Is prenatal chiropractic covered by insurance? 

Many insurance plans cover chiropractic care, including during pregnancy. Check your specific benefits or ask our office to verify coverage before starting care.