Can a Chiropractor Help With Pelvic Pain During Pregnancy?

• by Angelica Kessler
• October 2, 2023

Many women experience pelvic pain during pregnancy, but there are steps they can take to reduce this discomfort. One way to do this is to visit a chiropractor.

Two case reports of pregnant women with SPD showed that conservative chiropractic management relieved this condition. This included Activator spinal manipulations, sacroililac adjustments and prone symphysis pubis instrument-assisted adjustments.

Poor Posture

Poor posture is a common cause of back pain in pregnant women. This is because the body's center of gravity moves forward during pregnancy, which can cause the lower back and pelvic girdle to shift their positions. This changes the way the body is aligned while standing, sitting or lying down and can create additional stress on postural muscles.

Poor posture causes muscle fatigue due to the fact that it requires phasic (fast-burning) muscle fibers to support the spine and upper body, which can quickly run out of energy. In addition, the repetitive movement of supporting the body in a bad posture can shorten and compact the muscles that normally support the spine. This can lead to the development of herniated discs, which are a common source of back and pelvic pain in pregnant women.

Pregnancy also increases hormones that can loosen the joints and ligaments that support the spine. This can contribute to a swayback posture, in which the upper trunk is displaced posterior to the lower body and pelvis. This posture can increase low back and pelvic pain in pregnant women because it puts excessive strain on the abdominal and back muscles.

Prenatal Chiropractic uses a hands-on approach to adjust the vertebrae of the spinal column and other joints in and around the spine. They usually use their fingers or a small instrument to apply a controlled force that helps the body move better. Most chiropractors concentrate on adjusting the spine, but some also adjust the knees, ankles and wrists to help treat problems with these areas of the body.

Some chiropractors specialize in prenatal care and are familiar with using the Webster technique to help ensure that the baby is in a good position for delivery. Many women seek chiropractic treatment near delivery time to help ensure that the baby is head down for vaginal delivery. Chiropractors who specialize in the Webster technique will work to realign the pelvis, which can ease back pain and reduce labor and delivery time. In addition, they can assist with pain related to herniated discs and spondylolisthesis.

Spinal Misalignment

During pregnancy, the body undergoes many structural changes in order to create a comfortable space for a growing baby. Unfortunately, these changes can also contribute to spinal misalignment or “subluxations”. Subluxations are when one of the vertebrae in your spine becomes displaced from its normal position and puts pressure on surrounding nerves. This pressure interferes with the nerves ability to communicate properly and can cause pain, discomfort and dysfunction throughout your entire system.

When a pregnant woman suffers from a spinal misalignment, she will likely experience pain and discomfort in her lower back and hips. In some cases, misalignments may even affect the symphysis pubis or the area where the uterus and rectum meet. Many women who see a chiropractor for pelvic misalignment during pregnancy benefit from a specialized technique called the Webster Technique. This is a chiropractic method designed to ensure the pelvis is in its most ideal position to allow for a healthy, natural delivery.

In addition to helping with lower back and hip pain, prenatal chiropractic care can also help with labor and delivery. Regular chiropractic adjustments can help ease the pain of contractions, facilitate cervical dilation and make it easier for the baby to be delivered.

It is important to note that, although chiropractic has been shown to help reduce labor and delivery complications, it is always a good idea to get clearance from your obstetrician before beginning treatment during pregnancy. Our safe, low-force chiropractic care is an excellent way to provide support for your spine during this time of change.

Aside from lower back and hip pain, many pregnant women see a chiropractor for other issues like nausea, acid reflux, restlessness, swelling, etc. In fact, more and more women are turning to chiropractic care for a healthier and happier pregnancy.

Spinal misalignments can be caused by any number of things, from poor posture to accidents and injuries. Most often, they come on slowly as a result of lifestyle habits and don’t cause any noticeable symptoms until it is too late. However, sometimes they can occur suddenly as a result of injury or accident. While these are less common, they can be just as damaging to your spine and health.

Herniated Discs

The spine is a series of 33 vertically stacked bones (called vertebrae) that are separated by strong fibrous rings of tissue called discs. The discs act as shock absorbers between each spinal bone, protecting the bones and nerves from compression. When a herniated disc occurs, it pushes the soft, jelly-like center of the disk out beyond the outer fibrous ring and can irritate nerves around the lumbar area of the spine and cause pain that extends to the buttocks and legs. This is often referred to as sciatica.

A herniated disc can be more painful during pregnancy because of the increased pressure on the spine due to weight gain and because the sacroiliac joint, which connects the lower back to the pelvis, becomes looser and wider during pregnancy as the muscles relax to prepare for birth. This can result in a lack of stability in the sacroiliac joint and make it more likely to compress.

Another reason herniated discs may be more common in pregnant women is that the body’s natural hormones increase the fluid in the joints and tissues to prepare for childbirth, which can loosen the ligaments in the spine and pelvic joints. This can increase the likelihood of a herniated disc or other structural problems in the spine.

Although herniated discs are common, they do not always cause pain. Sometimes a herniated disc can cause a sharp, stabbing pain that extends from the back into the buttock and groin. This is often referred to as posterior pelvic pain, or pelvic girdle pain. This pain can also be a dull, throbbing ache and may extend into the lower leg or groin.

X-rays can be used to help visualize the herniated disc, but it’s best to have a computed tomography scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) done to see more detail. The MRI can show if the herniated disc is causing compression of a nerve and can be more accurate than a CT scan in some cases. However, a MRI is not recommended for all pregnant women because the radiation can be harmful to the fetus.

Stress

In some cases, stress can contribute to pelvic pain during pregnancy. This may be due to hormone changes or because the baby’s weight can cause strain on the muscles of the pelvic floor. Stress can also cause the ligaments that support the pelvic bones to loosen in preparation for delivery, which can lead to instability and pain.

Some women experience pelvic girdle pain (PGP), or Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction, which occurs when the two sides of the pelvis meet in front, right under the pubic hair. This is a common musculoskeletal condition during pregnancy and can vary from person to person. Some women have mild discomfort, while others experience severe pain that makes it hard to sit, stand or walk.

The good news is that there are many ways to manage PGP. Taking a few simple steps can help alleviate the pain and improve your quality of life. Getting regular exercise, avoiding high-heeled shoes and crossing your legs while sitting can all help reduce the pressure on your back. Acupuncture, when performed by a qualified practitioner, is a popular treatment that can ease the pain associated with PGP.

Talk to your doctor about the best treatment plan for you. They will perform a physical exam, and they may order an imaging test such as a CT or an MRI to determine what is causing the pelvic pain. These tests do not involve radiation, and they can be a safe treatment option for pregnant women.

If you decide to go to a chiropractor, make sure the practitioner is certified by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency and has a current Working with Children check. They should also have a special certification in the Webster technique, which can help realign the pelvis and allow the baby to get into a good position for vaginal delivery.

Depending on the cause of your pain, you may need only one or more visits to the chiropractor. They will give you a schedule for treatments, and they may recommend lifestyle adjustments to prevent the pain from returning. You can also try pregnancy-safe pain relievers to manage your symptoms, or talk to your obstetrician about acupuncture or other alternative treatments.

Many women experience pelvic pain during pregnancy, but there are steps they can take to reduce this discomfort. One way to do this is to visit a chiropractor. Two case reports of pregnant women with SPD showed that conservative chiropractic management relieved this condition. This included Activator spinal manipulations, sacroililac adjustments and prone symphysis pubis…