Pregnancy remodels the spine and pelvis over roughly 40 weeks, and the body does not always adapt gracefully. Patients arrive at Martens Chiropractic with a low back ache that showed up at week 10, a hip that seizes when they roll over at 3 a.m., or a sharp pain near the tailbone that turns a short drive into an ordeal. Prenatal chiropractic care works on the joint mechanics and muscle tension behind those complaints, using pressure and positioning adapted to a changing body.
Is chiropractic care safe during pregnancy?
For an uncomplicated pregnancy, yes. Adjustments are modified throughout: tables with a drop-away abdominal section, side-lying positions with pelvic support, and lighter, lower-amplitude force than what a non-pregnant patient would receive. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists lists physical therapy and manual approaches among conservative options for pregnancy-related back pain rather than warning against them.
Some conditions call for clearance from an OB or midwife first, or rule care out entirely: vaginal bleeding, placenta previa or abruption, preeclampsia, ectopic pregnancy, ruptured membranes, or sudden severe pelvic pain. Anyone booking a prenatal visit should say how far along they are and flag any complications at intake, before an exam begins.
What causes back pain in each trimester?
The mechanical stress changes as the pregnancy progresses, which is why pain that starts as a dull ache can move and change character month by month.
First trimester (weeks 1 to 13)
Relaxin and progesterone rise early, increasing ligament laxity well before there is visible weight to carry. Joints that used to stop firmly at end range now travel a little further, and the sacroiliac joints often take the brunt of that. Pain in this window is usually described as a deep, one-sided ache just below the belt line.
Second trimester (weeks 14 to 27)
The uterus clears the pelvic brim and the center of gravity moves forward. The lumbar curve deepens, the abdominal wall lengthens and loses some of its bracing capacity, and the low back extensors work overtime to keep the torso upright. Round ligament pain also appears here, felt as a quick pull in the lower abdomen or groin during a sneeze or a fast change of position.
Third trimester (weeks 28 to 40)
Total weight gain of 25 to 35 pounds is typical for someone starting at a healthy BMI, according to the National Academies’ guidelines, and most of it lands in front of the spine. Pubic symphysis pain, sciatic-type leg symptoms, and rib pain under the right breast are common now. Sleep gets worse, which lowers pain tolerance and compounds everything else.
What is the Webster Technique?
The Webster Technique is a specific chiropractic assessment and adjustment of the sacrum and pelvis, paired with a soft tissue release of the round ligaments. It was developed by Larry Webster and is taught and certified by the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association, which maintains a public directory of certified providers.
It is not a version procedure. The goal is to reduce restriction and asymmetric tension in the pelvis, not to physically turn a baby. Evidence for its effect on fetal position is limited and mostly observational, so it is worth being clear about what the technique can reasonably be expected to do: reduce pelvic joint pain and improve comfort.
What happens at a prenatal visit to Martens Chiropractic?
A first visit runs longer than a follow-up, usually 30 to 45 minutes, and starts with history: due date, prior pregnancies, past injuries, delivery plans, and any care already underway with an OB or midwife. The exam covers gait, standing posture, sacroiliac and pubic symphysis motion, hip range, and palpation of the round ligaments and glutes.
Follow-ups are shorter, often 10 to 20 minutes, and typically pair an adjustment with soft tissue work and two or three specific exercises. Many patients start every other week, move to weekly around 30 weeks, and some go twice weekly in the final month when pelvic symptoms tend to peak.
What does it cost, and does insurance cover it?
Initial chiropractic exams in the United States commonly run $75 to $200, with follow-up visits between $40 and $85. Many plans cover chiropractic with a copay in the $20 to $50 range, often with an annual visit cap, and chiropractic care is an eligible HSA and FSA expense. Verify benefits with the office before the first appointment, since coverage varies widely by plan.
What helps between appointments?
- Sleep on your side with a pillow between the knees and one supporting the belly, and avoid long stretches flat on your back after about week 20.
- Aim for the 150 minutes of moderate weekly activity ACOG recommends, split into walks short enough that symptoms do not flare.
- Stop carrying a toddler on one hip, which loads the same sacroiliac joint that is already irritated.
- Do slow pelvic tilts and side-lying clamshells daily rather than long static stretching.
Back pain during pregnancy is common, but it is not something to simply wait out for 20 more weeks. Care that adapts to each trimester tends to keep patients working, sleeping, and moving through delivery. To schedule a prenatal evaluation, contact Martens Chiropractic and mention how far along you are so the visit can be planned around it.