Chiropractic During Pregnancy: A Gentle Guide for Foster City Parents

Pregnancy changes almost everything about how your body carries itself. As your baby grows, your posture, balance and the way you sit, sleep and walk all shift, sometimes from one week to the next. For many expecting parents on the Peninsula, that shows up as an aching low back, tender hips or a pelvis that just doesn't feel stable. If you're searching for a prenatal chiropractor in Foster City, this guide explains why these changes happen, what gentle chiropractic care during pregnancy can look like, and how to decide whether it's a good fit for you, together with your obstetric provider.

Why pregnancy affects your spine and pelvis

According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), backache is one of the most common pregnancy complaints, especially in the later months. ACOG points to a few overlapping reasons:

• A shifting center of gravity. Your growing uterus moves your center of gravity forward and stretches the abdominal muscles, which changes posture and puts more strain on the back.
• Extra load. The added weight means more work for your muscles and more stress on your joints, which is why your back may feel worse at the end of the day.
• Hormonal changes. To prepare for birth, a hormone relaxes the ligaments in the joints of the pelvis. That added flexibility is useful, but back pain can occur if those joints become too loose.

In other words, the discomfort many people feel is a normal response to a body doing something remarkable. That doesn't mean you have to simply put up with it.

Common pregnancy-related complaints

Expecting parents often describe:

• Low back aching, especially after standing or at the end of the day
• Pain around the back of the pelvis or hips (sometimes called pelvic girdle pain)
• Discomfort when rolling over in bed, climbing stairs or getting out of the car
• Upper back and neck tension from changing posture, breastfeeding preparation or poor sleep
• General stiffness and a feeling of being "out of balance"

What does research say about chiropractic during pregnancy?

It's worth being honest about the evidence. A 2020 systematic review in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics looked at chiropractic care options for pregnancy-related low back and pelvic girdle pain. It found that the overall evidence is not yet conclusive, but that many of the approaches studied, including chiropractic care, exercise, patient education and support devices, had moderate or unclear but generally favorable evidence. In plain language: research suggests chiropractic care may help some people feel more comfortable, and more high-quality studies are needed.

On safety, a 2021 systematic review of adverse events after spinal manipulation in pregnant and postpartum patients found limited evidence of adverse events; most reported events were minor and temporary, and the authors noted that serious injuries may be rare. That's reassuring, but it's also why a careful history, a thorough examination and gentle, adapted techniques matter.

What a gentle prenatal visit looks like at Aligned Healing

At Aligned Healing Chiropractic in Foster City, prenatal and postnatal care is adapted to each stage of pregnancy and recovery. Here's what you can expect:

1. Booking. You can book online through our scheduler or call (628) 222-9998. Please let us know how far along you are when you book.
2. A conversation first. We listen to your health history, how your pregnancy is going, your current concerns and your goals.
3. A thorough examination. New patient visits include a comprehensive chiropractic wellness examination, including neurologic and orthopedic examination and posture screening.
4. Gentle, adapted care. Our approach is calm and gentle, and we explain everything before we do it. Adjustments are tailored to your comfort level, and you can always ask us to adapt or skip a technique.
5. Practical guidance. We share recommendations for how you sit, sleep, lift and move, so the benefits of care carry over into daily life.

We coordinate with your prenatal care provider when appropriate. You're welcome to share any concerns or guidance from your OB or midwife with us.

Safety first: when to call your OB or midwife

Chiropractic care is not a substitute for prenatal care. Always check with your obstetric provider before starting any new care during pregnancy. ACOG advises contacting your ob-gyn or obstetric care provider if back pain is severe or lasts more than two weeks. Back pain can sometimes be a sign of preterm labor or a urinary tract infection, so contact your provider promptly if back pain comes with:

• Fever
• Burning during urination
• Vaginal bleeding
• Cramping, contractions or pressure in the pelvis

If you lose feeling in your legs or have trouble controlling your bladder or bowels, seek emergency care right away.

Simple ways to ease back strain at home

These general tips from ACOG are a good starting point (check with your provider first):

• Wear low-heeled (but not flat) shoes with good arch support.
• Sit in chairs with good back support, or tuck a small pillow behind your lower back.
• Later in pregnancy, sleep on your side with knees bent, a pillow between your knees and another under your belly.
• Lift by squatting and bending your knees with your back straight, not by bending at the waist.
• If you stand for long periods, rest one foot on a low stool.
• Use gentle heat or cold, wrapped in a towel, for short periods.

Postpartum: caring for your body after birth

ACOG notes that while back pain usually eases after the baby is born, for many people it lingers for months. Feeding, carrying a car seat, lifting a growing baby and broken sleep all add up. Gentle chiropractic care, adapted to your recovery, may help support comfort and mobility in the months after birth. Talk with your provider about when it's right for you to begin, especially after a cesarean birth.

Frequently asked questions

Is chiropractic care safe during pregnancy?

Published reviews have found few reported adverse events, mostly minor and temporary, but the research isn't conclusive. We use gentle, adapted techniques, take a careful history and coordinate with your prenatal provider when appropriate. Always check with your OB or midwife first.

When in pregnancy can I start?

That's a question for you and your obstetric provider. When you book with us, let us know how far along you are so we can plan your visit.

Will I have to lie on my stomach?

Care is adapted to each stage of pregnancy and to your comfort. Tell us what feels comfortable and we'll adjust positioning and technique accordingly.

Can I come in after my baby is born?

Yes. We offer postnatal care too, and we see infants and children with gentle care adapted to their size and development.

What should I wear?

Comfortable, loose-fitting clothing you can move in. See our New Patients page for more on what to expect.

This article is for general education and isn't medical advice. Please talk with your obstetric provider about any symptoms during pregnancy or after birth.

Sources

• American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Back Pain During Pregnancy (FAQ).
• Chiropractic Care for Adults With Pregnancy-Related Low Back, Pelvic Girdle Pain, or Combination Pain: A Systematic Review. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2020.
• Weis CA, Stuber K, Murnaghan K, Wynd S. Adverse events from spinal manipulations in the pregnant and postpartum periods: a systematic review and update. J Can Chiropr Assoc. 2021.