Prenatal Chiropractor: Benefits, Safety & What to Expect
Prenatal chiropractic care is generally considered safe for most healthy pregnancies and may help relieve common pregnancy-related issues such as back pain, pelvic discomfort, and sciatic nerve pain. This article explains how prenatal chiropractic techniques, including the Webster Technique, support pelvic alignment, what conditions may require medical approval before treatment, and what expectant mothers can expect during a prenatal chiropractic visit.
Most Pregnant Moms Can Enjoy Prenatal Chiropractic Care Safely
This is almost certainly your first query as a pregnant patient, and you're absolutely right to ask this question: Is prenatal chiropractic care safe? Most physicians and health care providers agree that it is safe and healthy for the overwhelming majority of healthy pregnancies, and often encourage their clients to utilize prenatal chiropractic care as a complementary treatment to their regular prenatal care.
However, "most" isn't always "all," so let's explain what we mean by this.
The pregnant body is under a tremendous strain to allow for both the mother and the baby to be as safe and healthy as possible. Relaxin, the hormone which loosens the pelvic ligaments to allow for the baby to exit the body, can actually begin during the first trimester. This helps, but also weakens the ligaments to a degree where it may create some discomfort or instability. Additionally, the pelvis is constantly tilting and the belly moves forward, which shifts the center of gravity to the front of the body. These shifts result in more of a curve in the lower spine and can result in pain. Prenatal chiropractic care is designed to help the body adapt to these changes without going out of balance to the point where things could get uncomfortable for you and your baby.
However, "most" isn't always "all," so let's explain what we mean by this.
A prenatal chiropractor has specific techniques that have been adjusted and trained to handle the pregnant female body. There is no prone position, and there are no forces placed directly on the uterus or abdomen. Tables are specially cushioned and often have cut-outs to prevent abdominal stress.
The adjustments themselves are very subtle and soft. We aren't popping or cracking things back into place; instead, we are working to release tension and re-establish normal range of motion in your over-stretched muscles and tight, inflamed joints.
Your Health Care Provider Has the Final Say
According to the American Pregnancy Association, most pregnancies are safe for a woman to receive chiropractic care. However, there are certain conditions where you should first get your health care provider's consent before beginning chiropractic care:
Placenta previa or placental abruption
Ectopic pregnancy
Moderate to severe toxemia (high blood pressure, high fluid and high protein levels)
Mis-diagnosed, undiagnosed vaginal bleeding
If any of these conditions apply to you, you should discuss them with your health care provider before beginning any type of chiropractic care (or any other complementary care for that matter). Although, in most cases, you would be fine to begin chiropractic treatment and we would be happy to provide your health care provider with a progress report if you wish.
Scientific Research
Research shows that chiropractic care during pregnancy is considered safe. The American Pregnancy Association acknowledges that: There are no scientifically identified contraindications (reasons to avoid chiropractic care) to routine chiropractic adjustments during pregnancy. Chiropractic care during pregnancy is considered a safe alternative treatment.
This isn't some quack theory; it's a widely-accepted and well-respected recommendation. And what about the Webster Technique, which is used to balance the pelvis and reduce tension and strain on the round ligaments of the uterus?
The Webster Technique is a commonly used and well-respected chiropractic adjustment during pregnancy which has been the subject of numerous research studies, is taught regularly to chiropractic professionals, and has been used by chiropractors throughout the country for decades.
For a deeper look at what the research says, the American Chiropractic Association outlines chiropractic care during pregnancy benefits (https://www.acatoday.org/news-publications/5-conditions-chiropractic-care-can-improve-during-pregnancy/) that are supported by clinical evidence.
I have been a father. My wife went through pregnancy and I can tell you what a struggle it can be on the physical body. I understand. I know how challenging it can be to deal with. That's the basis for why I work so hard to help you and your baby through the pregnancy. It is a practical knowledge that isn't theoretical.
The one thing I hope you keep in mind is that "safe" isn't just a thing not being harmful, or "unsafe" isn't something that is actually harmful. That is, it is not something being done that is not causing discomfort, the pain of chronic pelvic pressure, of sciatic nerve irritation that causes discomfort at night, or low back discomfort that prevents normal day-to-day life from occurring. This kind of prenatal chiropractic care will allow your body to manage these kinds of stress without medication.
So if you are pregnant and are wondering what you can do, the answer for a vast majority of women is yes, and if you are living in Urbandale or nearby and wish to discuss whether or not such a treatment plan would be beneficial to you specifically, the best place to start is on our prenatal chiropractic care page to learn more about what our chiropractic care looks like.
Pregnancy Back Pain and Pelvic Discomfort Are the Most Common Reasons Women Seek Care
Most women are not going to think about chiropractic care for pregnancy based upon what they read; instead, they begin thinking about chiropractic care for pregnancy because their back hurts too much for them to sleep. It is a truthful statement, and you can see where this statement comes from: that pregnancy is a time where your body is rapidly changing, your center of gravity will begin to change, and your ligaments will loosen up in preparation for birth.
According to the American Pregnancy Association, 50 to 70 percent of women in pregnancy experience back pain at some point during their pregnancy. This is not a small number; this is the vast majority of pregnant women walking around Urbandale today, trying to make it through their workday or their daily toddler chasing activities while struggling with a low back that refuses to cooperate.
So what actually is happening in a woman's body? A few different things.
Why Your Back and Pelvis Receive the Most Stress During Pregnancy
This is especially common in the second and third trimester. Some women describe it as a very sharp catching sensation as they roll in bed or stand up out of a car, while other women describe it as a deep dull ache that causes them to have trouble walking distances. I have worked with women who were coming in barely being able to put shoes on. That isn't being overly dramatic; it is simply the result of your pelvis being out of alignment while other muscles and structures attempt to compensate. Fortunately, prenatal chiropractic care, most through the use of the Webster Technique, can directly assist with this.
As your baby grows, your uterus begins to enlarge and pulls your lower spine toward you in a forward movement, which will create an exaggerated curve in your lumbar spine, causing an increase of stress on the joints and muscles of your lower back.
Meanwhile, you are also making more of the hormone called relaxing, which is loosening the ligaments of your pelvis in order to prepare the birth canal for the expansion and widening of the hips. This also makes the joints less stable in general.
This lessening of stability results in an increase of strain; your muscles work to stabilize the pelvis, but this results in pain, tension, and fatigue toward the end of the day.
Pelvic girdle pain is its own entity, meaning it is a deep, aching discomfort that is located in the front or back of the pelvis, that can radiate into the hips and even the legs.
How The Webster Technique Helps
The Webster Technique is a specific chiropractic analysis and adjustment specifically for expectant moms. It targets the sacrum, the triangular bone located at the base of your spine, as well as the surrounding soft tissue. If the sacrum is not positioned correctly, it can lead to tension in the ligaments holding the uterus and reduce the room available for baby to move into position.
If a pregnant patient comes in with back or pelvic pain, here is a typical plan:
A complete intake and postural analysis to assess how your body is compensating for the pregnancy
An analysis of the sacrum, pelvis, and lumbar spine to see where misalignment exists
A specific and gentle sacral adjustment via the Webster Technique
Soft tissue work performed on the round ligaments if tightness is adding to the pelvic tension
Education and recommendations on proper movement and posture in daily life to assist between visits
No aggressive manipulation, no high-force twisting. The whole treatment is modified for where you are during your pregnancy.
And this is what many don't realize until they are here in the office: Prenatal chiropractic care is not only beneficial during your third trimester. It is actually more common for women to have fewer treatments and quicker relief if they start prenatal chiropractic care when discomfort first occurs and wait until their ability to ambulate is greatly diminished.
If you live in Urbandale and you are dealing with back pain, hip pain, or that nagging deep pelvic ache that is making your daily life more complicated than necessary, this is a subject worthy of investigation. Our prenatal chiropractic care page has everything you need to learn more about what to expect when you come in, how you can begin receiving care.
The Webster Technique Is a Chiropractic Protocol Designed Only For Pregnant Moms
In the practice, we routinely see pregnant moms at 32 or 34 weeks who are unbalanced, dealing with low back pain that just won't go away, and whose babies are yet to settle into an ideal position. At that point she wasn't sure chiropractic was even able to help her, and where she is right now is where the Webster Technique really helps people.
The words "prenatal chiropractic care" will bring to most people's minds an image of a standard adjustment that happens to take place on a pregnant woman. Not wrong, just incomplete.
The Webster Technique differs. It is a particular, research-based protocol created just for pregnancy, and this one is one of the things you have to know when investigating prenatal chiropractic care.
Developed by Dr. Larry Webster, founder of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association, the Webster Technique focuses on the sacrum, the triangular bone at the base of your spine, and the surrounding soft tissue. During pregnancy, the position of the pelvis is in constant flux.
The ligaments of your body loosen. The sacrum can be misaligned, and this will result in tension in the ligaments holding the uterus in place, most the round ligament. This tension matters more than we may know.
What the Technique Does
We do get moms coming in during the first trimester, but we also get moms coming in during the second and third trimesters who are having symptoms like round ligament pain, sciatic pain, and just feeling like their hips aren't sitting right.
And earlier is better. It's more if we can balance the pelvis sooner because the sooner the pelvis is balanced, the longer the body will maintain the pelvic alignment during pregnancy. Yes, if the baby is not in the right position, it can still help at 36 weeks, but starting at 20 weeks will give you more time.
The first part of the Webster Technique is the analysis and adjustment of the sacrum to help restore alignment and minimize nerve interference.
The second half is using soft tissue work on the round ligaments, the ligaments that run from the uterus to the groin, to release tension and encourage the uterus to sit more symmetrically.
Often, the round ligaments aren't equally tight, and the uterus literally is running out of room in the pelvis, which the baby then has to contend with.
A more balanced uterus creates a better environment for the baby to turn on his or her own. The Webster Technique doesn't turn the baby; the Webster Technique creates an environment where the baby is free to turn on his or her own.
This is a significant distinction because a lot of times mom wants to know, "Are you turning the baby?" We're not. We're working with the mom's frame so her body can do what it's naturally designed to do.
Who is Webster Technique Trained?
Not all chiropractors are trained to perform the Webster Technique. This is specialized chiropractic care, and certification is available through specific classes offered by the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association with certification only given when the proper course is completed.
It helps if you're finding a chiropractor to help you in Urbandale to ask if he or she is specifically trained in the Webster Technique before making an appointment.
The Webster Technique is endorsed by the American Pregnancy Association for use in pregnancy. This isn't just a "natural health practitioner" technique. This is recognized, documented, legitimate care.
When do Moms in Urbandale do it?
The technique is gentle. It's not "high velocity, low amplitude." It is soft tissue work. It is using special pregnancy pillows and positioning that allow mom to be comfortable and not lie prone on her tummy during treatment.
We want mom to be relaxed and feel the positive impact of chiropractic care, and often, for first-time patients, it feels even more relaxing than mom expected. The goal of your visit is to leave feeling better than you did when you first walked in, not wondering what just happened and what you can expect.
So, if you're pregnant and wondering if the Webster Technique is a good fit for your pregnancy right now, those are the exact right questions to ask during your prenatal chiropractic appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Is prenatal chiropractic care actually safe, or is that just something chiropractors say?
Prenatal chiropractic care is widely considered safe for most healthy pregnancies — this isn't just a chiropractor's opinion. The American Pregnancy Association states there are no scientifically identified reasons to avoid routine chiropractic adjustments during pregnancy. Prenatal chiropractors use specially cushioned tables, avoid all pressure on the abdomen, and use very gentle techniques. No prone positioning is used. The adjustments focus on releasing tension and restoring normal joint movement — not cracking or forcing anything.
What is the Webster Technique, and why do so many prenatal chiropractors use it?
The Webster Technique is a specific chiropractic adjustment used to balance the pelvis and reduce tension on the round ligaments of the uterus. It has been studied in multiple research settings, is taught regularly to chiropractic professionals, and has been used across the country for decades. It is one of the most common techniques used during pregnancy. If you want to understand how this fits into a full prenatal care plan, our prenatal chiropractic care page walks through exactly what care looks like from the first visit forward.
What should I expect at my first prenatal chiropractic visit in Urbandale?
Your first visit will feel different from what most people picture when they think of a chiropractor. There is no face-down positioning. The table is cushioned and designed to support your belly safely. Your chiropractor will review your pregnancy history and any conditions you have. Adjustments are gentle — focused on releasing tight joints and easing muscle tension. Many Urbandale moms are surprised by how comfortable the visit feels. You should leave feeling less pressure, not more.
Are there any pregnancy conditions where you should NOT see a chiropractor?
Yes — a few specific conditions mean you should talk to your doctor first before starting care. These include placenta previa, placental abruption, ectopic pregnancy, moderate to severe toxemia, or undiagnosed vaginal bleeding. If any of these apply to you, get your health care provider's approval before beginning chiropractic care. In most cases, your provider will still give the green light — and your chiropractor can send them a progress report if that helps everyone stay on the same page.
Why does pregnancy cause so much back pain in the first place?
Back pain during pregnancy comes from several physical changes happening at once. The hormone relaxin loosens your pelvic ligaments — sometimes as early as the first trimester. Your belly shifts your center of gravity forward. Your pelvis tilts. All of this increases the curve in your lower spine and puts stress on muscles and joints that were not built for that load. According to the American Pregnancy Association, 50 to 70 percent of pregnant women experience back pain at some point. It is very common, and it is very real.
Can prenatal chiropractic care help with sciatic nerve pain during pregnancy in Urbandale?
Yes — sciatic nerve irritation is one of the most common reasons pregnant women in Urbandale seek chiropractic care. As the pelvis shifts and ligaments loosen, pressure can build on the sciatic nerve, causing pain that runs down the leg and often gets worse at night. Chiropractic adjustments work to reduce that pressure by restoring normal alignment in the lower spine and pelvis. This can help you sleep better and get through your day without relying on medication.