Pregnancy changes your body fast. Your center of gravity shifts, your hormones loosen your ligaments, and your spine and pelvis carry weight in ways they never have before. For many women, that adds up to back pain, pelvic discomfort, or sciatica that shows up somewhere around the second trimester and doesn’t let up.
It’s no surprise that prenatal chiropractic adjustment care has become one of the most common questions expecting mothers bring to our office. Is it safe? Does it actually help? And how do you know if it’s the right choice for your pregnancy?
This guide walks through what the research says, who makes a good candidate for a prenatal chiropractor, what a session actually looks like, and when you should check with your OB-GYN first.
What is Prenatal Chiropractic Care?
Prenatal chiropractic care is chiropractic treatment adapted specifically for pregnancy. Instead of standard adjustments, a prenatal chiropractic provider uses pregnancy-safe tables, positioning, and lower-force techniques that avoid any pressure on the abdomen.
Most chiropractors, including those trained in pregnancy care, use what’s called a diversified technique: a quick, low-force adjustment aimed at restoring joint motion and relieving muscle tension. Because pregnancy hormones (particularly relaxin) loosen the ligaments, chiropractors often note that these adjustments require even less pressure than they would outside of pregnancy.
One specialized approach you may have heard of is the Webster Technique, a pregnancy-specific method focused on the sacrum and pelvis. It’s worth understanding on its own, since it’s one of the most talked-about tools in chiropractic prenatal care and comes with its own research, success rates, and limitations.
Common Pregnancy Discomforts a Prenatal Chiropractor May Help With
Women typically seek out a chiropractor prenatal visit for one or more of the following:
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Lower back pain: one of the most frequently reported pregnancy complaints, driven by weight gain and postural shifts
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Pelvic and sacroiliac (SI) joint pain: caused by loosened ligaments and a shifting center of gravity
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Sciatica: nerve-related pain running down the hip and leg, often worsened by pelvic misalignment
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Round ligament pain: a sharp or pulling sensation as the uterus grows and stretches supporting ligaments
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General postural strain: as the body compensates for a growing belly and changing balance
It’s important to frame these honestly: a prenatal chiropractic adjustment may help manage or reduce these symptoms, but results vary from patient to patient, and chiropractic care is not a guaranteed fix.
Is It Safe? What the Research Actually Shows
This is the question we hear most, and it deserves a straight answer.
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Chiropractic as a Non-Pharmacologic Option
A peer-reviewed evidence-based review on chiropractic care in obstetrics notes that musculoskeletal pain is common in pregnancy, and that chiropractic treatment is one of several non-pharmacologic options available, an especially relevant point given ongoing concerns about medication use during pregnancy.
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What the Systematic Reviews Found
Two separate systematic reviews looking specifically at chiropractic treatment for pregnancy-related low back pain found that the evidence supports improved outcomes, though both reviews also noted that the underlying studies are limited by low to moderate quality. A cohort study following 78 pregnant patients receiving chiropractic care found that 73% reported “good” or “excellent” outcomes, though results varied depending on where the pain was located.
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A More Cautious Perspective
A more cautious clinical review in the British Journal of Midwifery states plainly that there is still “little empirical research confirming the safety and effectiveness of chiropractic care for pregnant women,” even while citing multiple studies showing positive results for back and pelvic pain, including reports of improvement after roughly six weeks of weekly treatment.
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Movement Toward Standardized Guidelines
In 2022, a formal consensus process published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics established best-practice recommendations for chiropractic care specifically for pregnant and postpartum patients, reflecting the field’s move toward more standardized, evidence-informed guidelines.
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The Honest Summary
Current research leans supportive, particularly for musculoskeletal pain, but the overall body of evidence is still considered limited in size and quality. This is exactly why working with a chiropractor trained in prenatal care, and staying in communication with your OB-GYN, matters.
For a deeper breakdown of the safety research and what qualified practitioners do differently, see our full guide: Can You Go to the Chiropractor While Pregnant in Colorado Springs?
What Your OB-GYN’s Own Guidance Says
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) advises that you contact your OB if back pain is severe or lasts more than two weeks, since pain can sometimes signal preterm labor or a urinary tract infection. ACOG’s own patient FAQ doesn’t name chiropractic care directly.
That said, other major medical resources build on ACOG’s guidance and do recommend chiropractic care as an option. Cleveland Clinic, for example, lists seeing a chiropractor, alongside a physical therapist, as a recommended approach for pregnancy back pain, specifically noting that chiropractors who specialize in pregnancy care can help realign the pelvis.
The takeaway: chiropractic care fits within the broader, medically recognized approach to managing pregnancy pain, but it works best as part of a coordinated plan with your obstetric provider, not as a replacement for their care.
Who Should Be Cautious or Avoid Prenatal Chiropractic Care
Prenatal chiropractic care isn’t right for every pregnancy. Chiropractors who specialize in this area generally treat the following as red flags requiring medical clearance before any adjustment:
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Unexplained vaginal bleeding or spotting
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Placenta previa or placental abruption
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Severe preeclampsia
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Preterm labor or ruptured membranes
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Any condition your OB-GYN has specifically advised against combining with manual therapy
The nonprofit American Pregnancy Association notes that chiropractic care is generally considered safe throughout pregnancy, though coordinating with your OB-GYN remains important whenever a complicating condition is present. A peer-reviewed literature review on adverse events from spinal manipulation during pregnancy and postpartum similarly found that serious complications are rare, though it recommends continued caution and open communication with your medical provider.
If any of the conditions above apply to your pregnancy, chiropractic care should be paused or avoided until your medical team clears it.
This is also why a thorough intake and health history review should always be the first step before any prenatal chiropractic adjustment begins.
What to Expect During a Prenatal Chiropractic Adjustment
If you’ve never been to a prenatal chiropractor before, here’s a general idea of what a visit involves:
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Health history and intake: your chiropractor reviews your pregnancy history, current symptoms, and any risk factors before touching a table.
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Pregnancy-safe positioning: specialized tables, pillows, or side-lying positions are used so there’s never direct pressure on your abdomen. Many of these techniques were developed and are taught through pregnancy-specific certification programs offered by the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association.
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Gentle, low-force adjustment: techniques are modified for each trimester, using far less force than a typical adult adjustment because pregnancy hormones already loosen the joints.
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Ongoing care: most patients need multiple visits rather than a single session, since the body needs time to adapt and pelvic balance shifts as pregnancy progresses.
Sessions are typically short, gentle, and focused on comfort as much as alignment.
Choosing the Right Chiropractor for Prenatal Care
Not every chiropractor has training specific to pregnancy, so it’s worth comparing your options first. Our roundup of the top chiropractors in Colorado Springs is a good starting point. When you’re evaluating a prenatal chiropractor, look for:
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Specific training or certification in prenatal and perinatal chiropractic techniques, such as Webster Technique certification through the ICPA
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A willingness to coordinate with your OB-GYN or midwife
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Pregnancy-specific equipment, including drop tables or pregnancy pillows
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A clear intake process that screens for contraindications before treatment begins
Prenatal Chiropractic Care at Colorado Injury & Wellness
At Colorado Injury & Wellness in Colorado Springs, Dr. Austin Clarke provides pregnancy-focused chiropractic care built around comfort, safety, and open communication with your medical team. Every visit starts with a full health history and pelvic assessment, so your care plan is tailored to where you are in your pregnancy, not a one-size-fits-all approach.
Whether you’re dealing with lower back pain, pelvic discomfort, sciatica, or you’re simply exploring whether a prenatal chiropractic adjustment fits into your pregnancy care, our team is here to walk through your options with you.
Colorado Injury & Wellness 1819 W Colorado Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80904, United States Phone: +1 719-471-4174
Final Thoughts
So, are prenatal chiropractic adjustments right for you? For many women dealing with the aches and imbalances of pregnancy, the answer is yes, chiropractic care can be a safe, non-invasive option when it’s provided by a practitioner trained specifically in prenatal care and coordinated with your OB-GYN. For women with certain high-risk conditions, it’s not appropriate without medical clearance first.
The best next step is a conversation, both with your obstetric provider and with a chiropractor experienced in pregnancy care, to figure out whether it fits your specific situation. For more on what to look for in a provider, see our complete guide to the best chiropractor in Colorado Springs.
