Pregnancy & Chiropractic Care
Is chiropractic safe during pregnancy? Charleston chiropractor, Dr. Sarah K. Wharton, treats patients during pregnancy to increase function, decrease discomfort, and possibly shorten labor times.
Pregnancy is a time of extraordinary change—physically, hormonally, and neurologically. As the body adapts to support a growing baby, many women experience new discomforts, postural shifts, and increased physical stress. One of the most common questions expectant mothers ask is whether chiropractic care is safe during pregnancy.
The short answer is yes—when performed by a chiropractor trained in prenatal care, chiropractic adjustments are considered safe, gentle, and supportive throughout all stages of pregnancy. Prenatal chiropractic care focuses on optimizing nervous system function, supporting structural balance, and helping the body adapt more comfortably to the demands of pregnancy.
Rather than treating pregnancy as a condition, chiropractic care views pregnancy as a natural process that deserves support, balance, and proper neurological communication.
Why the Nervous System Is So Important During Pregnancy
The nervous system plays a central role in pregnancy. It controls and coordinates every function in the body, including hormonal regulation, organ function, muscle coordination, and adaptation to stress. During pregnancy, the nervous system is responsible not only for supporting the mother’s changing body but also for guiding the development of the unborn child.
When the nervous system is functioning optimally, the body is better able to adapt to physical changes, manage stress, and maintain balance. Chiropractic care is centered on identifying and reducing interference in the nervous system so the body can function as efficiently as possible—an especially important goal during pregnancy.
How Chiropractic Care Can Support a More Comfortable Pregnancy
Many women seek prenatal chiropractic care not only for pain relief, but for overall support during pregnancy. As the body changes, Chiropractic Care & the Nervous System During Pregnancy
The main goal of chiropractic care is to optimize and increase the function of the nervous system by eliminating any barriers that get in the way. These barriers are known as subluxations. Subluxations are misalignments in the spine or any joint in the body that put pressure on the nervous system, creating interference. The nervous system includes the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves that exit the vertebral column and feed information to every cell, organ, and body part. It makes you the living, breathing, and thriving human being that you are.
During pregnancy, there are two nervous systems involved. There is the nervous system of the mother—who is, often without conscious thought, developing a life within her womb—and the nervous system of the developing unborn child. Because chiropractic care focuses on increasing nervous system function by removing interference, it becomes especially important during the nine months of gestation. This is the first and most fundamental reason chiropractic care can be beneficial during pregnancy.
Structural Changes, Discomfort, & Pregnancy-Related Stress on the Body
Now let’s talk about how chiropractic can help on a mechanical level. While the nervous system enables a woman’s body to gestate a baby, pregnancy also involves carrying an additional 25–35 pounds. Although the female sacrum is designed to support this process, the extra weight significantly alters normal load distribution and increases stress on the sacroiliac joints of the pelvis.
This shift may lead to hip and spinal dysfunction, discomfort, and pain. It can also increase tension in the baby’s space, potentially limiting optimal positioning (discussed further in the Webster Technique section).
An article from the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, Pregnancy & Chiropractic: A Narrative Review of the Literature, explains that “structural adaptation” during pregnancy is the primary source of back pain. Load distribution changes pull the sacrum forward, increasing anterior pelvic tilt, lumbar lordosis, and external rotation of the hip joints. Additionally, increased production of the hormone relaxin—especially in the third trimester—creates ligament laxity to prepare for birth. This can lead to anterior translation of the cervical spine and extension of the occiput, contributing to headaches.
The article reports that 50% of women experience back pain during pregnancy due to these changes. The encouraging news is that 84% of women reported a decrease in pain after just one to two chiropractic visits. Even more notably, primigravida women who received chiropractic care throughout pregnancy experienced labor times that were 25% shorter, while multiparous women reported an average labor time reduction of 31%. While further studies are always needed, this data strongly supports the safety and multi-level benefits of chiropractic care during pregnancy.
Safety, Adjusting Protocols & the Webster Technique
Adjusting Protocols and Safety of Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic adjustments for pregnant patients are modified to safely accommodate structural and biochemical changes. Due to hormonal shifts that increase ligament laxity, Dr. Wharton uses gentle, minimal-force adjusting techniques. Because lying face-down can be uncomfortable during pregnancy, she incorporates an Elite chiropractic table with an abdominal break-away section, along with specially designed pregnancy pillows. These allow women at all stages of pregnancy to lie comfortably while receiving care.
Webster Technique
The Webster Technique was developed over 30 years ago by Dr. Larry Webster. It involves specific sacral analysis, a diversified adjustment, and soft tissue release. Due to cases where breech fetal presentations resolved, it was once referred to as the “Breech Turning Technique.” This nickname was later removed, as chiropractic care focuses on restoring normal nerve function rather than treating conditions.
Dr. Wharton provides the Webster Technique using gentle adjustments, her Elite chiropractic table, and specialized pregnancy pillows. She safely and effectively addresses subluxations throughout all stages of pregnancy so that gestation and labor may be less painful and stressful—and more comfortable, optimal, and easeful.
If you are currently pregnant, or know someone experiencing discomfort, dysfunction, or “dis-ease,” share with them the potential benefits of chiropractic care, or make an appointment at Cypress Chiropractic & Wellness in downtown Charleston, SC. chiropractic adjustments may help improve mobility, reduce tension, support posture, and encourage better balance throughout the spine and pelvis.
By focusing on nervous system function and structural alignment, chiropractic care supports the body’s ability to adapt—rather than forcing change. This approach aligns with pregnancy as a natural process that benefits from balance and communication rather than intervention.
Pelvic Balance, Baby Positioning, and the Webster Technique
Pelvic balance plays an important role during pregnancy. Tension, imbalance, or restricted motion in the pelvis can affect comfort and may limit the space available for the baby to move freely. The Webster Technique focuses on restoring balance to the pelvis and surrounding soft tissues so the body can function as intended.
It’s important to note that chiropractic care does not attempt to “turn” babies. Instead, it supports proper nerve function and pelvic balance, allowing the body to do what it is naturally designed to do.
Is Chiropractic Care Safe Throughout All Stages of Pregnancy?
Prenatal chiropractic care is specifically adapted to meet the needs of pregnant patients. Techniques are gentle, intentional, and adjusted based on each individual’s comfort level and stage of pregnancy. Specialized tables and pregnancy pillows allow for safe positioning, while low-force adjustments accommodate the increased ligament laxity caused by hormonal changes.
Chiropractic care during pregnancy is focused on safety, comfort, and support—never force.
Who May Benefit From Prenatal Chiropractic Care?
Prenatal chiropractic care may be beneficial for:
First-time pregnancies
Subsequent pregnancies
Women experiencing back, hip, or pelvic discomfort
Expectant mothers seeking nervous system support
Women looking to proactively support comfort and balance during pregnancy
Chiropractic care is not only for pain. It is for function, adaptability, and overall well-being.
Supporting Both Mother and Baby Through Chiropractic Care
Pregnancy is one of the most neurologically and physically demanding experiences the body goes through. Supporting the nervous system and structural balance during this time can help create a more comfortable, connected, and empowered pregnancy experience.
Chiropractic care offers gentle, non-invasive support for both mother and baby, helping the body adapt, function, and thrive throughout pregnancy.