Prenatal and Postnatal Chiropractic

The aches and pains common to modern day pregnancies are related more to your pre-pregnancy movement habits, patterns, injuries, etc than to the pregnancy itself. So, let’s normalize the idea that pregnancy doesn’t have to be a painful experience and start by changing your movement habits to minimize pain while optimizing your body and baby’s position for a natural birth.

Let’s face it, nobody has perfect movement habits. And chances are a lot of the faulty movement patterns have been marinating in your body since you started to move as a little human yourself.

I’m here to help guide you to a place of better movement and more body comfort so you can enjoy the amazing journey of growing a human! And increase your chances of having a natural, uncomplicated birth.

My approach to care combines chiropractic manipulation of joints (to help keep the joints moving), myofascial release of soft tissue restrictions, home exercises, and lifestyle changes to encourage your body, particularly the joints and soft tissues in your pelvic region, to remain supple throughout your pregnancy, labor, and birth. When there is unnecessary torsion of pelvic and uterine ligaments, or asymmetrical myofascial tension patterns, the available space in your uterus for baby to move can become restricted (aka intrauterine constraint). This presents as baby staying in one or just a few positions throughout pregnancy, breech presentation close to your due date, or aches and pains in your abdomen, low back, hip, or pelvic regions.

    • Low back pain

    • Sacro-iliac (SI) joint pain

    • Sciatic Nerve Pain

    • Pain, numbness or tingling going down leg

    • Tailbone pain

    • Hip or Groin Pain

    • Round Ligament Pain

    • Pubic Symphysis Pain

    • Headaches

    • Neck or mid back pain

    • Carpal tunnel syndrome

  • In many ways chiropractic care during pregnancy looks very similar to care when not expecting, with a few differences.

    Prior to your visit you will be asked to fill out forms detailing your medical history, pregnancy due date and other details about your pregnancy and other specific concerns you would like to address.

    Your initial office visit will involve a short discussion of your medical history, pregnancy details and goals for care. Then I will perform a physical assessment to determine your overall mobility and identify areas of misalignment and dysfunction.

    We will then discuss the findings and treatment plan recommendations, have an opportunity to ask questions and get clarification on anything discussed. Then we will come up with a plan that works for you.

    Next comes the treatment. You will lay on the the table on a pregnancy-specific cushion that allows you to lay face down and I will perform gentle adjustments to your spine in areas of restriction using either just my hands, or an instrument called an Activator. Depending on your needs I may also perform myofascial release, and isometric contractions for strengthening certain areas. I often provide home exercises, alignment tips, and lifestyle changes to work on between appointments.

  • You can start getting chiropractic care as soon as you meet with your midwife or OB-GYN and they give you the ok. If you start feeling musculoskeletal pain, check in with your midwife or OB-GYN, then schedule a chiropractic appointment. It’s best not to wait until the discomfort is unbearable. The sooner you get care, the easier it will be to minimize or relieve your symptoms and prevent them from becoming so severe that they interrupt your activities of daily living.

    Even if you go through most of your pregnancy without chiropractic care, you can still benefit from care toward the end of your pregnancy. Maybe you felt great throughout your pregnancy but your baby is still positioned breech (head up) or sideways and your due date is quickly approaching. Or maybe you’re needing some relief from a bit of discomfort.

  • Gentle care can be provided a few days post birth to help your body heal from pregnancy and the birthing process.

    Carrying your baby around will result in you using your body in different ways than you’re used to. So, on top of recovering from pregnancy and the birthing process, you may develop new aches and pains as a result of your new movement patterns. Carrying your baby can actually be part of your physical healing process and become part of your daily “exercise” requirement, if done with proper alignment. As part of your care, I will offer tips on how to carry your baby and position your body in ways that are supportive to your bones, joints, soft tissues, etc.

  • Visit frequency depends on the reason you are seeking care and your goals. For general wellness I typically recommend a visit once a month during the first trimester, every two or three weeks until the last month of pregnancy, and then weekly visits until delivery.

  • The initial session is 1 hour. And follow ups are 30 minutes.

  • Check out my one-on-one guided prenatal movement sessions.

  • This depends on your insurance company. Since I am a licensed chiropractor, if your insurance covers “out-of-network” chiropractic then it is likely you will be reimbursed for my services to the extent your policy covers those services. You are responsible for payment of charges at the time of treatment. However, I can provide you with a form that you can submit to your insurance carrier for direct reimbursement based on the terms of your plan.