Pregnancy brings some remarkable changes to the body—but those changes can also bring back pain, pelvic discomfort, altered posture, and aches that make everyday activities more difficult. One question we hear from expecting mothers is simple: Is chiropractic care safe during pregnancy?
For most women with uncomplicated pregnancies, chiropractic care can be a reasonable conservative option for managing common musculoskeletal discomfort when it is performed appropriately by a chiropractor who understands the physical changes that occur during pregnancy. However, pregnancy is not a time for aggressive treatment or a one-size-fits-all approach.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recognizes back pain as one of the most common problems during pregnancy and recommends conservative measures such as appropriate exercise, attention to posture, supportive positioning, and other non-medication approaches. ACOG also recommends that women with significant or persistent symptoms consult their obstetric provider to rule out other causes.
At Dodd Chiropractic, we have experience working with pregnant patients and adjust their approach based on the patient's stage of pregnancy, symptoms, comfort level, and overall health.
Why Does Pregnancy Cause Back and Pelvic Pain?
Pregnancy changes the way your body moves and distributes weight. As the baby grows, your center of gravity shifts forward, the abdominal muscles stretch, and the pelvis and spine experience different stresses.
Hormonal changes also affect the ligaments around the pelvis, allowing greater flexibility in preparation for childbirth. While these changes are normal, they can contribute to discomfort.
In fact, a 2024 systematic review and meta-analysis involving more than 21,000 pregnant participants found that approximately 63% experienced lumbopelvic pain during pregnancy.
Common complaints include:
- Low back pain: Aching, stiffness, or pain with standing, walking, sitting, or changing positions.
- Pelvic pain: Discomfort around the pelvis, SI joints, hips, or pubic region that may become more noticeable when walking, climbing stairs, or turning in bed.
- Round ligament discomfort: Stretching of the supporting tissues around the uterus can cause sharp or pulling sensations, particularly with certain movements.
- Postural changes: As the abdomen grows, changes in posture can increase muscular tension and stress on the lower back and pelvis.
Chiropractic care does not stop the normal physical changes of pregnancy. Instead, the goal is to help address the musculoskeletal problems that may develop as your body adapts.
What Does a Prenatal Chiropractic Visit Look Like?
A prenatal chiropractic visit should look different from a routine chiropractic appointment. Before treatment, we want to understand what you are experiencing, how far along you are, what movements aggravate your symptoms, and whether there are any reasons you should first be evaluated by your obstetric provider.
Positioning is particularly important. As pregnancy progresses, lying flat on the stomach is obviously not practical, and prolonged flat-on-the-back positioning may also be inappropriate later in pregnancy. ACOG notes that prolonged supine positioning after approximately 20 weeks can affect venous return because of pressure from the uterus.
Depending on the stage of pregnancy and the area being treated, a prenatal visit may involve:
- Side-lying positioning
- Pregnancy-specific positioning with appropriate support
- Gentle mobilization of the spine and pelvis
- Low-force chiropractic techniques such as a drop technique
- Soft-tissue work when appropriate
- Recommendations for movement, posture, stretching, or supportive exercises
The goal is not to force a joint into position or perform an aggressive adjustment. Treatment should be comfortable and adapted to the mother and baby.
At Dodd Chiropractic, we want pregnant patients to feel comfortable throughout the entire visit. If a particular position or technique does not feel right, we modify it.
What Can Chiropractic Care Actually Help With?
Chiropractic care is primarily aimed at musculoskeletal problems. During pregnancy, that most often means addressing discomfort involving the lower back, pelvis, hips, and surrounding muscles.
For some patients, improving joint motion and reducing muscular tension may make activities such as walking, sleeping, getting in and out of a car, or caring for other children more comfortable.
It's also important to have realistic expectations. Chiropractic care isn't a treatment for pregnancy itself. Instead, think of it as one potential component of a broader conservative approach to managing musculoskeletal discomfort during pregnancy.
If you are looking specifically for prenatal care at our Jacksonville office, you can learn more on our prenatal chiropractic page.
What Does the Research Say?
The research on chiropractic care during pregnancy is encouraging in some areas, but it is also important to be honest about its limitations.
A 2020 systematic review examined 50 articles, including systematic reviews, randomized controlled trials, and cohort studies involving pregnancy-related low back pain and pelvic girdle pain. The researchers found inconclusive but favorable evidence for chiropractic care for pregnancy-related low back pain, while the evidence specifically supporting spinal manipulation remained inconclusive.
A separate systematic review of manual therapies for pregnancy-related back and pelvic pain found some benefits compared with usual care, but concluded that the overall evidence was limited and that more high-quality research was needed.
More recent research continues to support conservative, non-drug approaches for pregnancy-related musculoskeletal pain. A 2026 systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials found that conservative musculoskeletal interventions were associated with improvements in pain and functional disability in women with pregnancy-related low back and pelvic pain. However, the researchers noted that the number of studies was limited and that differences between treatment approaches make it difficult to determine how effective any one specific treatment is.
Safety is another important part of the discussion. A 2021 systematic review examining adverse events following spinal manipulation during pregnancy and the postpartum period found limited evidence of adverse events, with reported events appearing uncommon, while also emphasizing that better research and reporting are needed.
In other words, the research does not justify promising every pregnant patient that chiropractic care will eliminate pain. What it does suggest is that appropriately selected, conservative musculoskeletal care may be a reasonable option for some pregnant patients experiencing back or pelvic discomfort.
When Should You Talk to Your OB First?
Chiropractic care should complement—not replace—your prenatal care. If you have an uncomplicated pregnancy and are experiencing typical musculoskeletal discomfort, chiropractic care may be appropriate. However, there are situations where your obstetrician or other pregnancy care provider should be involved before beginning treatment.
ACOG recommends contacting your obstetric provider for severe back pain or pain that persists for more than two weeks. Back pain accompanied by symptoms such as fever, burning with urination, vaginal bleeding, abdominal symptoms, or other concerning changes should also be medically evaluated. You should also communicate with your OB or midwife about any pregnancy complications or medical conditions that could affect whether physical treatment is appropriate.
If there is any question about whether your symptoms are typical pregnancy-related musculoskeletal pain, we would rather have you evaluated first than assume the pain is something that can be treated with chiropractic care.
Chiropractic Care During Pregnancy at Dodd Chiropractic
Dr. Riley and Dr. April Dodd have experience caring for pregnant patients at Dodd Chiropractic and understand that every pregnancy—and every patient's comfort level—is different.
Our approach is conservative and individualized. We take the time to listen to what you are experiencing, evaluate the areas contributing to your discomfort, and determine whether chiropractic care is appropriate.
We also recognize that pregnancy is only one part of your family's health journey. After your baby arrives, our office also provides care for children and families.
New and Expecting Patients Are Welcome
You don't have to wait until your back pain becomes severe before asking for help. If pregnancy-related back, pelvic, or musculoskeletal discomfort is making it harder to sleep, work, exercise, or enjoy your pregnancy, we'd be happy to discuss whether chiropractic care is appropriate for you.
New and expecting patients are welcome at Dodd Chiropractic. Contact our Jacksonville office or book an appointment to get started.
Pregnancy changes your body—but you don't have to simply accept significant pain and discomfort as something you must live with for the next several months. With the right evaluation and an appropriately conservative approach, chiropractic care may be one useful part of helping you stay comfortable and active throughout pregnancy.
Riley Dodd D.C.
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