Gentle support for your back and pelvis – at every stage of pregnancy
Chiropractic During Pregnancy: Is It Safe and Does It Help?
Yes – chiropractic care can be a gentle and safe form of support during pregnancy when it is adapted to your situation by a well-trained practitioner. Many expectant mothers come to us because their back, pelvis or sciatic nerve bothers them more and more as their bump grows.
In short: More than two thirds of pregnant women have back pain. Exercise has been shown to help, and gentle chiropractic care adapted to pregnancy can provide additional relief. What matters is a thorough examination, comfortable positioning without pressure on your bump, and coordination with your gynaecologist or midwife.
In this article you will learn why your back hurts so often during pregnancy, what matters in chiropractic care, how the Webster Technique works – and what you can do yourself for a relaxed back.
Why Back and Pelvic Pain Are So Common in Pregnancy
Back and pelvic pain are among the most common complaints in pregnancy: according to a large Cochrane review, more than two thirds of pregnant women experience back pain and almost one in five pelvic pain. Symptoms often increase as pregnancy progresses and affect work, daily life and sleep. The reasons are completely natural:
- Hormones: The hormone relaxin softens ligaments and joints so your pelvis can prepare for birth. That makes sense – but it can also make joints such as the sacroiliac joint more sensitive.
- A new centre of gravity: As your bump grows, your centre of gravity shifts forward. Many women unconsciously arch their lower back – which puts strain on the lumbar spine.
- More weight: Your back, pelvis and legs carry more every week. Your muscles have to work harder and tighten up more easily.
- Less movement, restless sleep: Tiredness, nausea or a busy schedule often mean exercise falls short. And finding a comfortable sleeping position gets harder every week.
Typical areas are the lower back, the sacrum, the pubic joint, or pain radiating into the buttocks and leg. Neck and shoulder tension also increase – at the latest once your baby arrives and you carry them a lot.
Is Chiropractic Safe During Pregnancy?
Chiropractic care during pregnancy is clearly different from care outside pregnancy: it is gentler, positioning is adapted, and everything is guided by how you feel. An international group of chiropractors and physicians has published best-practice recommendations for chiropractic care of pregnant patients and describes chiropractic as a viable option for pregnancy-related back pain. Side effects are usually mild and short-lived, such as slight muscle soreness.
How we look after you and your baby at Vital Chiropraktik:
- A thorough first conversation: We ask about the course of your pregnancy, your complaints and anything notable in your pregnancy records.
- Comfortable positioning: You lie on your side or with special cushions – with no pressure on your bump.
- Gentle techniques: We work with light, targeted impulses, for example with the Webster Technique or the Activator Method.
- Good teamwork: If there are questions or special circumstances, we are happy to coordinate with your gynaecologist or midwife.
You set the pace. If something does not feel right, just tell us – and we adapt the treatment.
How Chiropractic Can Support You During Pregnancy
The goal of chiropractic care during pregnancy is to keep your pelvis and spine moving as freely as possible and your nervous system working well. A balanced pelvis takes strain off the lower back, the sacrum and the muscles and ligaments around the uterus.
The Webster Technique is a specific chiropractic analysis and gentle adjustment of the sacrum and pelvis, developed by Dr Larry Webster. It is used throughout pregnancy to support balance in the pelvis and the function of the surrounding muscles and ligaments. Mario Olarte is trained in the Webster Technique and also works with Sacro-Occipital Technique (SOT) and the Activator Method – both very gentle approaches that are well suited to pregnancy.
What You Can Do for Your Back
Exercise is the best thing you can do yourself: according to the Cochrane review, regular exercise on land or in water can ease back pain during pregnancy and make daily life easier. In studies, an eight- to twelve-week exercise programme also reduced the number of women reporting back and pelvic pain.
- Keep moving: Walking, swimming, prenatal yoga or pregnancy exercise classes are good for your back and pelvis. Check briefly with your gynaecologist or midwife first.
- Sleep on your side: A pillow between your knees – or a nursing pillow – keeps your pelvis level and relieves your lower back.
- Change position often: Long sitting or standing is a strain. Get up regularly, take a few steps and wear flat, comfortable shoes.
- Lift carefully: Bend your knees, keep the load close to your body and ask for help with anything heavy.
- Treat yourself to warmth: A warm shower or a hot-water bottle on your lower back relaxes the muscles.
And if it still hurts? Do not wait until the pain takes over your daily life. The sooner we look at your pelvis and back, the more relaxed you can enjoy your pregnancy.
When and How Often? From Pregnancy to After Birth
Chiropractic care is possible at any stage of pregnancy – from the first trimester until shortly before birth. Many women come when the first symptoms appear, others come preventively to prepare their body well for the months ahead.
- First visit (45 minutes): a detailed conversation, examination and a joint decision on whether and how we treat you.
- Follow-up visits (15 minutes): How often you come depends on your symptoms and the course of your pregnancy – more on this in our article How Often Should You See a Chiropractor?
- After birth: Carrying, breastfeeding and little sleep are demanding for your back, neck and pelvis. We are happy to support you then too.
At Vital Chiropraktik on Stubenring in Vienna’s 1st district, we take time for you – in German, English or Spanish.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
From which week of pregnancy is chiropractic possible?
At any stage of pregnancy. We adapt positioning and techniques to your week of pregnancy and how you feel.
Do I lie on my stomach during treatment?
No. You lie on your side or with special cushions, so there is no pressure on your bump.
What is the Webster Technique?
A specific chiropractic analysis and gentle adjustment of the sacrum and pelvis. It is used throughout pregnancy to support balance in the pelvis.
Should I ask my gynaecologist or midwife first?
That is a good idea, especially if there are special circumstances in your pregnancy. Ideally, bring your pregnancy records (Eltern-Kind-Pass) to your first visit.
Can chiropractic help with sciatica during pregnancy?
Sciatica-like pain in pregnancy is often caused by tension in the pelvis. After a thorough examination, gentle adjustments can help relieve the pelvis. If the pain radiates into your leg with numbness, also have it checked by a doctor.
Can I come after giving birth?
Yes, absolutely. The first months with a baby are demanding for your back, neck and pelvis. We are happy to support you during this time too.
Enjoy your pregnancy – with a relaxed back.
If your back or pelvis is bothering you, we will take a calm, thorough look together. Book your first visit at Vital Chiropraktik Wien on Stubenring.
Doctor of Chiropractic
at Vital Chiropraktik
Mario Olarte
I am the Lead Chiropractor at Vital Chiropraktik in Vienna, specializing in non-invasive spine care and nervous system health. With years of clinical experience, they are dedicated to helping patients
Doctor of Chiropractic
at Vital Chiropraktik
Mario Olarte
Sources
- Liddle S.D., Pennick V. (2015): Interventions for preventing and treating low-back and pelvic pain during pregnancy. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.
- Weis C.A. et al. (2020): Chiropractic care for adults with pregnancy-related low back, pelvic girdle pain, or combination pain: a systematic review. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics.
- Weis C.A. et al. (2021): Best-practice recommendations for chiropractic care for pregnant and postpartum patients: results of a consensus process. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics.
Reviewed by Mario Olarte, Doctor of Chiropractic.
Note: This article is for general information only and does not replace a personal examination, diagnosis or treatment. If your symptoms are severe, unusual or persistent, please see a doctor.
