Pregnancy Is Exciting. The Aches and Pains Don't Have to Come With It.

Your body is doing something remarkable, but the physical demands of pregnancy can take a real toll. The lower back pressure that starts in the second trimester, the round ligament pain, the hips that ache by the end of the day, the sciatica that shoots down your leg when you stand up too fast.

Most women are told to rest, take it easy, and wait it out. And while rest matters, it doesn't address what's actually happening: your spine and pelvis are shifting to accommodate a growing baby, and when those structures fall out of alignment, everything around them has to compensate.

The good news is that chiropractic care is one of the safest, most effective ways to support your body through pregnancy, without medication, without surgery, and without waiting until after delivery to feel better.

Why Pregnant Women Seek Chiropractic Care

During pregnancy, your body releases a hormone called relaxin that softens ligaments and joints to prepare for birth. Combined with rapid weight gain and a shifting center of gravity, this creates real mechanical stress on your lower back, sacroiliac joints, and pelvis.

Common reasons women come to us during pregnancy include: lower back and hip pain, pelvic girdle pain, round ligament discomfort, sciatica, difficulty sleeping, and postural strain from a changing body. Chiropractic care addresses the alignment issues that drive these symptoms, helping your body adapt more comfortably as it changes.

Dr. April Dodd: 40 Years of Women's Chiropractic Care

Not every chiropractor specializes in prenatal care, and the difference matters when you're pregnant.

Dr. April Dodd, DC has dedicated her career to women's and children's chiropractic care. A Jacksonville native and second-generation chiropractor, she graduated from Life Chiropractic College in 1983 and has been caring for pregnant women in this community for over 40 years. She is a past-president of the Florida Chiropractic Association and a former examiner for the Florida Board of Chiropractic Medicine, and she co-built the practice that became Jacksonville's most trusted multi-generational chiropractic family.

Her approach during pregnancy is always gentle and modified to where you are in your term:

  • No twisting, no aggressive manipulation — techniques are adapted throughout all three trimesters
  • Specialized positioning so you're comfortable on the table, including accommodations for a growing belly
  • A thorough assessment before any treatment, every visit

You can learn more about Dr. April and the full Dodd team on our team page.

What to Expect at Your Prenatal Visit

assignment

Step 1: Assessment

Dr. Dodd will take a full health history and assess your spine, pelvis, and hips. She'll ask about your symptoms, your trimester, and what you've already tried. If there's anything that warrants further evaluation before treatment, she'll tell you.
pregnant_woman

Step 2: Treatment

Using gentle, pregnancy-safe techniques, Dr. Dodd will address any misalignments in the spine and pelvis contributing to your discomfort. Sessions are typically shorter than standard chiropractic visits, and positioning is always adapted to your comfort.
favorite_border

Step 3: Home Care

You'll leave with simple stretches and movement recommendations to support your body between visits. Most patients notice improvement within the first two or three sessions.

What Prenatal Chiropractic Care Can Do for You

Reduced back, hip, and pelvic pain throughout pregnancy: Chiropractic care helps align the spine and pelvis, alleviating pressure on nerves and reducing discomfort as your body changes.

Better sleep, with less discomfort when lying down or changing positions: Gentle adjustments facilitate relaxation and ease tension, allowing for more restful sleep during pregnancy.

A more comfortable third trimester, with improved pelvic alignment heading into labor: Consistent chiropractic sessions support optimal pelvic positioning, which can lead to a smoother labor experience.

BOOK TODAY

Frequently Asked Questions About Prenatal Chiropractic Care

Yes, when performed by a chiropractor trained in prenatal care. At Dodd Chiropractic, Dr. April Dodd has been providing pregnancy-safe adjustments for over 40 years. Techniques are always modified to avoid pressure on the abdomen, and no aggressive manipulation is used. We perform a full assessment before beginning any treatment.

You can receive chiropractic care throughout all three trimesters. Many women start in the second trimester as back and pelvic pain begins to increase, but there's no wrong time to start. Earlier care can help prevent discomfort from developing in the first place.

No. Prenatal adjustments are gentle by design. Dr. Dodd uses low-force techniques appropriate for pregnancy, and positioning on the table is always adjusted to your comfort. Most patients find the experience relaxing.

Yes. Sciatica is very common during pregnancy as the sciatic nerve can become compressed by pelvic and lumbar changes. Chiropractic care addresses the alignment issues that create that compression. See our sciatica page for more on how we treat sciatic nerve pain.

Yes. Dodd Chiropractic has specialized in pediatric and family chiropractic care for generations. Many of our prenatal patients transition to postnatal care and bring their newborns in shortly after delivery. Learn more on our pediatric chiropractic page.

Ready to Feel Better Through Your Pregnancy?

You don't have to wait until after delivery to feel like yourself again. Dr. April Dodd has been caring for Jacksonville families, from pregnancy through pediatric care and beyond, since 1983. We'd love to support you through this stage, too.

Serving Avondale, Ortega, Murray Hill, Riverside, Fairfax, Brooklyn, and the greater Jacksonville area.

BOOK NOW