Does Chiropractic help with Low Back and Pelvic Pain in Pregnancy?
What You Need to Know
Pregnancy is often a time of joy and anticipation, though it can come with physical challenges—especially lower back and pelvic pain. These discomforts are common, affecting about two-thirds of pregnant women with back pain and nearly half with low back/pelvic pain.
Women do not need to suffer their pain!
Managing physical, chemical, and mental stress during pregnancy can support a healthier body and safer delivery. Proactive care, such as gentle exercise, chiropractic adjustments, with prenatal massage, can help reduce back and pelvic discomfort without risking the baby’s health.
It's important for pregnant women to know that effective, safe treatment is at hand!
At Bernard chiropractic we have made it a priority in getting the right treatment care for you. We understand Back and pelvic pain in pregnancy. We can guide you through this stage of discomfort to improved daily function.
How Back Pain Affects Pregnant Women
Pain during pregnancy can, at times, make it difficult to stand, walk, or sit for a length of time. In some, it may get worse in the third trimester (the last three months of pregnancy). While most women improve after the birth, for some – 1 in 3 women still feel back pain 3 months later postpartum. For about 1 in 10 women, without the necessary care, the pain becomes long-term, affecting quality of life.
Back pain in pregnancy, can also cause women stress, depression, anxiety, and time off work. First-time mums who have pelvic pain are 13 times more likely to feel depressed or anxious. In fact, pain in the neck, back, and pelvis is one of the top reasons women take sick leave during pregnancy.
Back pain needs to be taken seriously by antenatal carers and pregnant women!
Why Does This Pain Happen?
Pregnancy brings big changes to your body – your hormones change, and your posture and muscles are affected as your belly grows. These changes can lead to back and pelvic pain.
Some women are more likely to have this pain than others. You may be at higher risk if:
You’ve had back or pelvic pain before
You’re younger
You’ve had more than one baby
You don’t exercise much
You have a physically demanding job
You’ve had an injury or back problem before
You feel stressed, anxious, or depressed
The good news?
Chiropractic care has been shown to be safe, providing effective care to help reduce pain. Combined with effective targeted exercise, it’s a strategy for improvement. This care is also targeted preparation for not just the pregnancy, but the birth and postpartum.
Many Pregnant Women Seek Alternative Help
A lot of pregnant women look for other ways to manage their pain. Nearly half of pregnant women in a long-term Australian study said they consulted a complementary or alternative health practitioner. About 40% of them saw someone for back pain.
One of the more popular choices was chiropractic care. Around 1 in 4 women who used alternative care during pregnancy went to a chiropractor for back pain, and 1 in 5 went for their pelvic pain.
What Does Chiropractic Care Look Like For me?
Chiropractors are trained to help with problems in the muscles and joints – especially back pain. They often use hands-on methods like spinal adjustments, massage techniques, stretches, and exercise advice. Chiropractors also give ergonomic advice on posture, movement, and everyday activities.
Chiropractors understand the nature of back pain as they work with patients daily with back pain. It’s in a chiropractor’s expertise ! They are university trained with a 5-year master’s in science and chiropractic science to diagnose and treat these conditions.
In Australia, about 1 in 3 chiropractors regularly treat pregnant women. Seeking a chiropractor who has more experience treating pregnant women is recommended.
Pregnant women may be eligible for the EPC program .
Consult your GP for a referral for chiropractic care for your back pain in pregnancy.
What are Pregnant womens experiences with chiropractic care in Australia?
To find out about what pregnant women have experienced when visiting a chiropractor, Dr Maria Bernard (chiropractor), in her masters in research degree, investigated and asked pregnant women around Australia this exact question.
What are the experiences of Australian pregnant women with low back and/or pelvic pain seeking chiropractic care?
You can read this article, free to read online.
Chiropractic & manual therapies. https://chiromt.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12998-023-00516-x
Chiropractic Care in Pregnancy
There are many research studies that have investigated chiropractic care for pregnancy pain.
A recent review examined at least 50 different studies ( Weis et al 2020). The results showed mixed evidence however, many women did report feeling better after chiropractic care involving manual therapy, soft tissue release and exercise.
The results show that chiropractic treatment in pregnancy is safe.
Recommendation:
Consult a chiropractor who has experience in treating pregnant women with back pain!
Summary: Low Back and Pelvic Pain in Pregnancy
Back and pelvic pain are very common during pregnancy.
Many women don’t get treatment, even though the pain can be serious.
Exercise and support can help, and some women turn to chiropractic care for relief.
If you’re in pain, speak up and ask for help – you deserve to feel supported during your pregnancy.
Ask your GP about the Medicare rebate from an EPC program.
Remember, Help is at hand!