Pregnancy-related pain

Understanding pregnancy-related pain

As pregnancy progresses, your centre of gravity shifts, ligaments soften under hormonal changes, and the load on your spine and pelvis climbs week by week. Lower back pain and pelvic girdle pain affect a large proportion of pregnancies. Our care uses gentle, modified techniques and positioning designed for comfort at every stage — always as a complement to your midwife or obstetric care, never a replacement for it.

Common signs & symptoms

Lower back ache that builds through the day
Pelvic girdle pain — at the front of the pelvis or across the sacroiliac joints
Sciatic-type pain into the buttock or leg
Rib and mid-back discomfort as the pregnancy progresses
Difficulty finding comfortable positions for sleep

When to seek urgent care: Any bleeding, fluid loss, severe or unusual abdominal pain, reduced movements, or sudden swelling and headache should go straight to your midwife, obstetrician or hospital — these are never chiropractic matters.

Common causes

Postural shift

A growing bump moves your centre of gravity forward, increasing the curve and load in the lower back.

Ligament laxity

Hormonal changes soften ligaments in preparation for birth, reducing the pelvis's usual stability.

Pelvic joint strain

The sacroiliac joints and pubic symphysis take on changing loads, and can become irritated and painful.

Load and fatigue

Carrying steadily increasing weight — often while chasing other children — adds up over the trimesters.

How we help

Your care starts with a thorough consultation and physical assessment to identify what's driving your symptoms. From there, we build a plan around you — which may include chiropractic adjustments (traditional or low-force), soft tissue therapy, targeted home exercises, and practical advice for your daily routine. We review your progress regularly, explain everything in plain language, and refer you for imaging or to other practitioners whenever that's the better path.

Good to know

Pregnancy-related pain: your questions answered

Is chiropractic care safe during pregnancy?

We use gentle, modified techniques and positioning appropriate to your stage of pregnancy, and your assessment screens for anything that would change our approach. We always recommend keeping your midwife or obstetrician informed, and we work as a complement to — never a substitute for — your maternity care.

How is treatment different when I'm pregnant?

Positioning is adapted so you're always comfortable — including side-lying and supported positions in later trimesters — and techniques are gentler, with no pressure on your abdomen. Sessions also focus more on the pelvis, and on practical strategies for sleep, sitting and daily activity.

Can I come in after the baby arrives?

Yes — the postnatal period brings its own loads: feeding positions, carrying, lifting capsules and disturbed sleep. Many of our pregnancy patients continue care afterwards as their body recovers and adapts. There's no set timeframe; come in whenever you're ready.