Chiropractic Care During Pregnancy: What Ann Arbor Expecting Mothers Should Know

By Dr. Tim Dehr, DC, CCSP | Performance Health Chiropractic

If you're pregnant and your lower back is killing you, your hips feel like they're being pulled apart, or you can't find a comfortable position to sleep anymore—you're not imagining it. Your body is going through some pretty dramatic changes, and a lot of them hurt.

I've worked with many pregnant women over the years, and the complaints are remarkably consistent. Around month five or six, the lower back pain kicks in. By month seven, getting out of bed feels like a logistical challenge. And by month eight, the question becomes less "can I sleep comfortably" and more "can I sleep at all."

Most women accept this as just part of being pregnant. You signed up for growing a human, so of course your body is going to hurt, right?

Not necessarily. Or at least, not as much as it often does.

Chiropractic care during pregnancy can help with a lot of the musculoskeletal pain that comes with carrying a baby. It's not a magic fix, and it won't make pregnancy effortless, but it can make a real difference in how you feel day-to-day. Here's what actually happens to your body during pregnancy, what chiropractic care can address, and what to expect if you're considering it.

Please note: This article is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult with your obstetrician or midwife before starting any new treatment during pregnancy.

Why Pregnancy Hurts Your Back (and Hips, and Everything Else)

Let's start with the obvious: you're carrying 25-35 extra pounds, and all of it is in front of you.

That changes everything about how your body moves and holds itself upright.

Your center of gravity shifts forward. As your belly grows, your body compensates by arching your lower back more than usual. This increased curve (lumbar lordosis, if you want the technical term) puts extra stress on your lower spine. The muscles in your lower back work overtime trying to hold you upright, which is why so many pregnant women develop chronic low back pain in the second and third trimesters.

Your ligaments get loose. During pregnancy, your body produces a hormone called relaxin. It does exactly what it sounds like—it relaxes your ligaments, particularly in the pelvis. This is helpful for childbirth, because it allows the pelvis to expand as the baby moves through the birth canal.

But loose ligaments also mean less stability. Your pelvis, your spine, and your other joints don't have the same structural support they normally do. This makes them more prone to shifting out of alignment and more vulnerable to strain.

Your posture compensates in ways you don't even notice. The forward belly doesn't just affect your lower back. Your upper back rounds forward, your shoulders roll inward, and your head shifts forward to counterbalance. This creates tension in your upper back, neck, and shoulders. A lot of pregnant women develop tension headaches or can't get comfortable lying down because of this upper body tension.

Your pelvis takes a beating. The pelvis bears most of the mechanical stress during pregnancy. The sacroiliac joints (where your lower spine connects to your pelvis) can become misaligned or irritated. The pubic symphysis (the joint at the front of your pelvis) can become painful or even separate slightly—a condition called symphysis pubis dysfunction, which is about as fun as it sounds.

The way you walk changes. As your belly grows and your balance shifts, your gait changes. You might waddle a little (sorry, but you probably do). This altered walking pattern can create strain in your hips, knees, and feet. Some women develop knee pain or foot pain during pregnancy purely from how they're compensating when they walk.

All of this is normal. It's how your body adapts to pregnancy. But normal doesn't mean you have to just suffer through it.

What Chiropractic Care Can Actually Help With

I've treated a lot of pregnant women over the years, and these are the most common issues that bring them in:

Lower back pain. This is the big one. Research shows that between 50-70% of pregnant women experience lower back pain at some point during pregnancy. It usually starts in the second trimester and gets worse as the pregnancy progresses. The increased curve in your lower back, combined with loose ligaments and the extra weight, creates a perfect storm for lower back pain.

Chiropractic adjustments can help restore better alignment to the lower spine, reduce muscle tension, and improve how your lower back is moving. It doesn't make the baby weigh less or stop your body from producing relaxin, but it can reduce the strain on your lower back and help you feel more comfortable.

Sciatica. This is when the sciatic nerve gets compressed or irritated, causing sharp, shooting pain down the back of your leg. It's common during pregnancy because of how the pelvis shifts and how the baby's position can put pressure on the nerve.

Sciatica during pregnancy is miserable. It makes walking painful, sitting uncomfortable, and lying down difficult. Chiropractic adjustments to the pelvis and lower spine can help reduce the nerve compression and give you some relief.

Pelvic pain and SI joint issues. The sacroiliac joints (SI joints) connect your lower spine to your pelvis. During pregnancy, these joints get looser and have to handle a lot more load. When they get irritated or misaligned, it causes sharp pain in your lower back, buttocks, or hips—often worse on one side.

SI joint pain can make basic activities like walking, climbing stairs, or rolling over in bed surprisingly painful. I've had patients who couldn't get out of the car without wincing. Adjustments to the pelvis can help stabilize the SI joints and reduce that sharp, catch-you-off-guard pain.

Pubic symphysis pain. This is pain at the front of your pelvis, where the two halves of your pelvis meet. It feels like a sharp, stabbing sensation and often gets worse with activities like walking, standing on one leg, or spreading your legs apart (which makes getting dressed a fun challenge).

Chiropractic care can't prevent this entirely—it's often related to how much relaxin your body is producing and how your pelvis is handling the stress of pregnancy. But keeping the pelvis as balanced as possible can help manage the pain.

Upper back and neck tension. As your belly grows and your posture shifts, your upper back and neck often get tight and achy. Your shoulders round forward, your head shifts forward, and the muscles in your upper back and neck work overtime to hold everything in place.

A lot of pregnant women develop tension headaches or have trouble finding a comfortable position to sleep because of this upper body tension. Adjustments to the upper back and neck can help release that tension and make you more comfortable.

Round ligament pain. The round ligaments support your uterus, and they stretch significantly during pregnancy. This can cause sharp, sudden pain in your lower abdomen or groin, especially with quick movements. While this pain is usually brief, any compensatory dysfunction in your spine or pelvis can make it worse. Keeping your pelvis and spine moving well can help reduce how often you experience these sharp pains.

Is Chiropractic Care Safe During Pregnancy?

This is the first question almost every pregnant patient asks, and it's a good question. You're being careful about everything—what you eat, what medications you take, what activities you do. You want to make sure chiropractic care is safe for both you and the baby.

The short answer: Yes, chiropractic care is considered safe during pregnancy.

The American Pregnancy Association states that chiropractic care can be used throughout pregnancy and can help manage pain and discomfort. Many obstetricians and midwives refer their pregnant patients to chiropractors for back pain, pelvic pain, and other musculoskeletal issues.

Here's what's different about treating pregnant patients:

The adjustments are gentler. I'm not using the same force or techniques I would use with someone who isn't pregnant. The adjustments are lighter and more specific, especially as the pregnancy progresses and your ligaments get looser.

Positioning matters. As your belly grows, lying face-down becomes uncomfortable or impossible. I use pillows and positioning that accommodate your belly, and many adjustments can be done side-lying or seated. The goal is for you to be comfortable throughout the treatment.

I avoid anything that puts pressure on your abdomen. This should go without saying, but all techniques are adapted to ensure there's no pressure on your belly.

When you shouldn't get chiropractic care during pregnancy:

There are a few situations where chiropractic care isn't appropriate:

• Vaginal bleeding
• Placenta previa or placental abruption
• Ectopic pregnancy
• Severe toxemia

If you have any of these conditions, your OB will likely tell you to avoid chiropractic care. Always check with your obstetrician or midwife before starting chiropractic treatment during pregnancy. I'm happy to coordinate with your OB if needed.

What Happens After You Have the Baby

Most of the focus with pregnancy and chiropractic care is on the nine months before delivery. But what happens after you have the baby is just as important.

Your body doesn't immediately return to normal after delivery. Despite what Instagram might suggest, your body takes months to recover from pregnancy and childbirth. The ligament laxity caused by relaxin persists for several months postpartum, especially if you're breastfeeding (which continues to produce relaxin). This means your joints remain vulnerable to strain and misalignment.

Delivery itself is physically traumatic. Whether you have a vaginal delivery or a C-section, the process places significant stress on your body. During vaginal delivery, the pelvis goes through extreme forces. The sacrum and tailbone can shift. The pubic symphysis stretches considerably. Even with a cesarean, the months of carrying the baby and the surgery itself leave your pelvis and spine in a compromised state.

Then you start taking care of a newborn. After delivery, you're constantly bending, lifting, carrying, feeding, and functioning on almost no sleep. Nursing or bottle-feeding means holding awkward positions for long stretches. Carrying the baby, the car seat, the diaper bag—it all adds up. Bending over the crib, the changing table, the bathtub creates repetitive strain.

All of this, combined with the lingering ligament laxity and the physical stress of delivery, means a lot of women develop new pain patterns postpartum—or find that their pregnancy-related pain doesn't go away after the baby arrives.

Common postpartum issues I treat:

Persistent pelvic or SI joint pain. If your pelvis shifted during pregnancy or delivery, you may continue to have pain or instability. Walking, standing, or caring for your baby can be uncomfortable.

Lower back pain that won't quit. Many women assume their back pain will disappear once the baby is born and the weight is gone. But the ligament laxity, the delivery, and the demands of caring for a newborn often mean the pain persists or even gets worse.

Upper back and neck pain from feeding and holding the baby. The hours spent nursing, bottle-feeding, and holding your baby—often with less-than-ideal posture—create significant upper back and neck tension. Tension headaches are common.

Tailbone pain. The tailbone can get bruised, fractured, or knocked out of alignment during delivery. This causes sharp pain when sitting, especially on hard surfaces. It's one of those injuries that can linger for months if it's not addressed.

Wrist and hand pain. Some women develop carpal tunnel symptoms during or after pregnancy from fluid retention, hormonal changes, and all the repetitive lifting and carrying involved in taking care of a baby.

Postpartum chiropractic care helps your body recover from pregnancy and delivery. It can restore proper alignment to your pelvis and spine, reduce pain, and support your body as it heals. This is especially important if you're planning to have more children—starting your next pregnancy in a balanced, stable state makes a difference.

Simple Tips to Help Between Visits

While chiropractic care can make a big difference, there are also things you can do at home to support your body during pregnancy:

Sleep positioning matters. Sleep on your side (left side is often recommended) with a pillow between your knees. This keeps your pelvis level and reduces strain on your hips and lower back. A pregnancy pillow can provide additional support for your belly and back.

Watch your posture when sitting. Use a small pillow or rolled towel behind your lower back when sitting. Keep your feet flat on the floor. If you're nursing or bottle-feeding, bring the baby to you rather than hunching over.

Be careful how you get out of bed. Don't sit straight up from lying down—this puts a lot of strain on your abs and lower back. Instead, roll onto your side first, then use your arms to push yourself up to sitting.

Avoid standing in one position too long. If you need to stand for a while (cooking, doing dishes, etc.), put one foot up on a small stool and alternate feet every few minutes. This reduces the strain on your lower back.

Stay active, but modify. Walking, swimming, and prenatal yoga can help maintain strength and mobility. But listen to your body. If something hurts, stop doing it.

Ask for help. This isn't a posture tip, but it's important. If lifting something, bending down, or carrying something causes pain—don't do it. Ask for help. Your body is working hard enough already.

When to Start and How Often to Come In

There's no perfect time to start chiropractic care during pregnancy. Some women start in the first trimester if they're already dealing with pain. Others wait until the second or third trimester when the discomfort becomes more noticeable.

First trimester (weeks 1-13): If you're already experiencing lower back pain, headaches, or other issues early in pregnancy, there's no reason to wait. Starting early also allows me to track how your alignment and posture change as your pregnancy progresses, which can help prevent bigger issues later.

Second trimester (weeks 14-27): This is when most women start to notice more significant changes—your belly is growing, your center of gravity is shifting, and lower back or hip pain may be starting. This is a good time to begin care if you're starting to feel uncomfortable.

Third trimester (weeks 28-40): By the third trimester, the biomechanical stress is at its peak. A lot of women find this is when they need the most support. We focus on maintaining comfort and managing pain as your due date approaches.

How often should you come in? It depends. Some women come in weekly throughout pregnancy. Others come every few weeks or only when they're having a flare-up of pain. We'll figure out a schedule that makes sense for you based on how you're feeling and what your goals are.

What to Expect During a Visit

If you've never been to a chiropractor before, here's what a prenatal visit looks like:

Initial visit: We'll talk about your pregnancy, any complications or concerns, your current symptoms, and your overall health. I'll ask about your birth plan and whether you have clearance from your OB or midwife (if you haven't talked to them yet, we can coordinate).

I'll evaluate your posture, spinal alignment, pelvic balance, and range of motion to identify areas of tension, misalignment, or restricted movement.

Adjustments: Prenatal adjustments are gentle. Depending on where you are in your pregnancy and what's comfortable, you might be on your side, seated, or lying on a table with that has a special panel that allows room for your baby while you lay face down. The adjustments use light pressure to restore alignment and mobility.

Additional support: Depending on what you need, I might incorporate some soft tissue work, stretching, or give you exercises to do at home. I'll also talk with you about posture, sleep positions, and modifications to daily activities that can help reduce pain.

The goal is for you to leave feeling better than when you came in—and to give you tools to manage discomfort between visits.

Finding the Right Chiropractor

Not every chiropractor regularly treats pregnant women, so it's worth asking a few questions:

Do you have experience working with pregnant patients? You want someone who's comfortable with the specific needs and modifications required for prenatal care.

What techniques do you use? Make sure they use gentle, adapted techniques and have the equipment (pillows, adjustable tables) to make you comfortable.

Will you communicate with my OB or midwife if needed? Coordinated care matters. Your chiropractor should be willing to talk with your obstetric provider.

Most importantly, choose someone you feel comfortable with. Pregnancy is a time when you want to feel supported and heard. Trust your instincts.

The Bottom Line

Pregnancy changes your body in profound ways, and for a lot of women in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti, those changes come with significant pain. Lower back pain, sciatica, pelvic dysfunction, upper back tension—these aren't just "normal parts of pregnancy" you have to endure. They're treatable.

Chiropractic care offers a safe, non-invasive way to manage pregnancy-related pain and support your body through the physical demands of pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum recovery. It won't make pregnancy effortless, but it can make it a lot more comfortable.

If you're pregnant and dealing with pain—or if you're planning a pregnancy and want to start in the best possible physical condition—I'm happy to talk with you about how chiropractic care might help.

Your body is doing incredible work. It deserves some support along the way.

About Dr. Tim Dehr

Dr. Tim Dehr is a chiropractor and Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician (CCSP) practicing in Ann Arbor, Michigan. A former University of Michigan varsity gymnast and Big Ten Champion, Dr. Dehr has worked with competitive and professional athletes including 3-time Olympian Sam Mikulak and over 50 NFL players. He has provided care to US Olympic athletes preparing for the Tokyo 2021 and Paris 2024 Games. At Performance Health Chiropractic, Dr. Dehr brings this same level of biomechanical expertise to all patients—from weekend warriors to desk workers to expecting mothers—focusing on identifying root causes rather than just managing symptoms.

Performance Health Chiropractic serves expecting mothers throughout Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, and Washtenaw County. If you're experiencing pregnancy-related pain or want to learn more about how chiropractic care can support a comfortable pregnancy, call (734) 929-4523 to schedule a consultation.

Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Every pregnancy is different, and what works for one person may not be appropriate for another. Always consult with your obstetrician, midwife, or healthcare provider before beginning any new treatment during pregnancy, including chiropractic care.