Chiropractic Care During Pregnancy and After Childbirth
Pregnancy and the postpartum period bring remarkable changes to the body. As posture, weight distribution, joint loading, sleep positions, and daily activities change, many women experience discomfort involving the lower back, pelvis, hips, neck, shoulders, and surrounding muscles.
At Newbold Chiropractic in Half Moon Bay, Dr. Sidhartha Jandial, DC, an experienced and highly rated Half Moon Bay chiropractor, provides individualized prenatal and postnatal chiropractic care designed to support comfort, mobility, and musculoskeletal function throughout pregnancy and postpartum recovery.
Care is adapted according to each patient's:
- Stage of pregnancy or postpartum recovery
- Symptoms
- Health history
- Comfort
- Examination findings
- Daily activities
- Treatment goals
Newbold Chiropractic welcomes mothers and families from Half Moon Bay, El Granada, Moss Beach, Montara, and surrounding Coastside communities.
Why Do Women Experience Back and Pelvic Pain During Pregnancy?
Pregnancy-related lower back and pelvic discomfort are common as the body adapts to a growing baby.
Contributing factors may include:
- Changes in body weight and weight distribution
- A shifting center of gravity
- Increased mechanical demands on the lower back and pelvis
- Changes in posture
- Changes in muscle function
- Increased ligament laxity
- Previous back or pelvic problems
- Changes in exercise and activity
- Repetitive daily movements
- Changes in sleeping positions
The hormone relaxin also contributes to increased ligament flexibility as the body prepares for childbirth.
These physical changes can place new demands on the muscles and joints of the lower back, pelvis, hips, and surrounding areas.
Chiropractic care can help address these musculoskeletal changes with treatment tailored specifically to the needs of the pregnant patient.
When Can Prenatal Chiropractic Care Begin?
Prenatal chiropractic care can be considered throughout pregnancy.
Some women begin care early because they already experience back, neck, or pelvic discomfort. Others seek chiropractic treatment later as their growing abdomen creates additional physical demands.
Women may consider a chiropractic evaluation when they experience:
- Lower back pain
- Pelvic discomfort
- Hip pain
- Sciatica-like symptoms
- Neck pain
- Upper-back tension
- Muscle tightness
- Stiffness
- Difficulty getting comfortable while sleeping
- Discomfort with walking or standing
- Pain during everyday activities
Treatment is individualized according to the patient's stage of pregnancy, symptoms, examination findings, and comfort.
Lower Back Pain During Pregnancy
Lower back pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal complaints during pregnancy.
Changes in posture, increased abdominal weight, altered movement, muscle fatigue, and the physical demands of everyday activities can all place additional stress on the lower back.
Pregnancy-related lower back pain may make it uncomfortable to:
- Sit for extended periods
- Stand for long periods
- Walk
- Exercise
- Sleep
- Bend
- Lift
- Perform household activities
- Complete normal work duties
Prenatal chiropractic care may combine gentle chiropractic treatment, manual therapy, exercise, stretching, and movement recommendations to address contributing musculoskeletal factors and help patients remain comfortable and active.
Pelvic Girdle and Sacroiliac Joint Discomfort During Pregnancy
Pelvic girdle discomfort can involve the:
- Sacroiliac joints
- Buttocks
- Hips
- Pubic region
- Lower back
- Surrounding muscles
Symptoms may become noticeable during:
- Walking
- Climbing stairs
- Rolling over in bed
- Getting in and out of a car
- Standing on one leg
- Getting dressed
- Prolonged sitting
- Prolonged standing
Chiropractic and manual care can focus on comfortable pelvic and spinal movement, surrounding muscle tension, mobility, and functional movement.
Hip Pain During Pregnancy
The hips also adapt to changes in posture, walking patterns, sleeping positions, and weight distribution during pregnancy.
Some women notice hip discomfort while:
- Walking
- Sleeping on their side
- Getting up from a chair
- Exercising
- Climbing stairs
- Standing for extended periods
A chiropractic evaluation can assess joint movement, muscle tension, mobility, and other musculoskeletal factors that may be contributing to hip discomfort.
Sciatica and Leg Pain During Pregnancy
Some pregnant women develop discomfort that travels from the lower back or buttock into the leg.
Symptoms may include:
- Aching
- Burning discomfort
- Tingling
- Tightness
- Buttock pain
- Leg discomfort
A chiropractic examination can help determine whether the lower back, pelvic joints, muscles, or surrounding structures may be contributing to the symptoms.
Treatment may include gentle chiropractic techniques, manual therapy, mobility work, stretching, and home-care recommendations.
Neck and Upper-Back Pain During Pregnancy
Pregnancy can also affect the neck, shoulders, and upper back.
Changes in posture, breast size, sleeping positions, computer use, work demands, and everyday activities can contribute to:
- Neck tension
- Shoulder tightness
- Upper-back discomfort
- Muscle fatigue
- Stiffness
- Posture-related soreness
Chiropractic care can address the musculoskeletal factors associated with these symptoms while incorporating postural and ergonomic recommendations when appropriate.
Is Chiropractic Care Safe During Pregnancy?
Prenatal chiropractic care is modified according to the patient's stage of pregnancy, comfort, health history, symptoms, and examination findings.
At Newbold Chiropractic, Dr. Jandial adjusts treatment positioning, technique, and force to accommodate the physical changes of pregnancy.
Prenatal care may include:
- Gentle chiropractic techniques
- Modified positioning
- Pregnancy-appropriate supports or pillows
- Manual and soft-tissue therapy
- Stretching
- Exercise recommendations
- Postural guidance
Research and professional best-practice recommendations support individualized, appropriately screened chiropractic care for pregnant patients experiencing musculoskeletal conditions.
Patients continue to receive routine obstetric care throughout pregnancy, and chiropractic treatment can be incorporated alongside that care.
How Is Chiropractic Treatment Modified During Pregnancy?
Pregnancy changes how patients are positioned and treated.
Depending on the stage of pregnancy and individual comfort, Dr. Jandial may modify:
- Patient positioning
- Adjustment technique
- Amount of force
- Table setup
- Use of pillows and supports
- Treatment area
- Exercise recommendations
As pregnancy progresses, positioning is adapted to avoid unnecessary pressure on the abdomen and maintain patient comfort.
The goal is to provide gentle, individualized care while helping the mother remain comfortable and mobile.
How Can Chiropractic Care Help Pregnancy-Related Back and Pelvic Pain?
Prenatal chiropractic care focuses on the musculoskeletal system, including the spine, pelvis, joints, muscles, and surrounding tissues.
Research has examined chiropractic, manual therapy, exercise, and other conservative approaches for pregnancy-related lower back and pelvic-girdle pain.
A systematic review examining chiropractic care for pregnancy-related lower back and pelvic-girdle pain identified favorable evidence for several conservative approaches commonly incorporated into chiropractic care.[1]
Research evaluating complementary manual therapies has also reported improvements in pregnancy-related back and pelvic pain among women receiving hands-on conservative care.[2]
At Newbold Chiropractic, Dr. Jandial combines clinical findings with each patient's symptoms and comfort to create an individualized approach.
What Is the Webster Technique?
The Webster Technique is a chiropractic approach commonly used when caring for pregnant women.
The technique focuses on the:
- Sacrum
- Pelvic joints
- Surrounding muscles
- Ligaments
- Pelvic biomechanics
The goal is to address musculoskeletal tension and joint restrictions around the pelvis using gentle chiropractic and soft-tissue techniques.
At Newbold Chiropractic, pregnancy-related pelvic care is tailored to the individual patient's symptoms, comfort, stage of pregnancy, and examination findings.
What Treatments May Be Used During Prenatal Chiropractic Care?
Treatment depends on the patient's symptoms and examination findings and may include a combination of the following approaches.
Gentle Chiropractic Adjustments
Modified chiropractic techniques may be used to improve comfortable movement of the spine and pelvic joints.
Techniques are adjusted according to the patient's stage of pregnancy, body position, and comfort.
Manual and Soft-Tissue Therapy
Pregnancy can place increased demand on the muscles surrounding the:
- Lower back
- Hips
- Pelvis
- Upper back
- Neck
- Shoulders
Manual and soft-tissue techniques may be incorporated to address muscle tension and improve comfortable movement.
Neuromuscular Reeducation
Neuromuscular exercises may be incorporated to support:
- Movement
- Coordination
- Posture
- Muscular control
- Functional activities
Exercise and Stretching
Appropriate movement and exercise can play an important role in maintaining comfort and function throughout pregnancy.
Individualized recommendations may support:
- Mobility
- Flexibility
- Strength
- Postural endurance
- Comfortable movement
- Daily activities
Postural and Ergonomic Guidance
Pregnancy can change the way a woman sits, stands, sleeps, walks, and performs everyday tasks.
Recommendations may address:
- Sitting
- Standing
- Sleeping positions
- Lifting
- Workstation setup
- Exercise
- Daily movement
Small modifications can often make everyday activities more comfortable.
Staying Active During Pregnancy
Maintaining appropriate physical activity during pregnancy can support overall movement, strength, mobility, and well-being.
Women throughout the Coastside may want to continue activities such as:
- Walking
- Hiking
- Prenatal exercise
- Strength training
- Yoga
- Swimming
- Everyday family activities
When musculoskeletal discomfort begins limiting those activities, chiropractic care can help address the physical factors contributing to the problem.
The goal is to help expectant mothers stay active, move comfortably, and enjoy their pregnancy with greater physical confidence.
What Is Postnatal Chiropractic Care?
The physical demands do not end after delivery.
The postpartum period introduces an entirely new set of movements and activities, including:
- Breastfeeding
- Bottle-feeding
- Holding a baby
- Carrying an infant
- Lifting a car seat
- Repetitive bending
- Reduced sleep
- Prolonged sitting
- Returning to exercise
These activities can place significant demands on the neck, shoulders, upper back, lower back, hips, and surrounding muscles.
Postnatal chiropractic care focuses on helping mothers address these musculoskeletal demands as they recover and adjust to caring for their new baby.
When Can I Begin Chiropractic Care After Giving Birth?
Postpartum care is individualized according to each mother's delivery and recovery.
Factors considered include:
- Type of delivery
- Current symptoms
- Mobility
- Overall recovery
- Cesarean incision healing when applicable
- Comfort
- Activity level
- Treatment goals
Women recovering from an uncomplicated delivery may choose to have a musculoskeletal evaluation when they begin experiencing back, hip, neck, or other physical discomfort.
Following a cesarean delivery, care can be modified to respect the healing abdominal area while addressing other areas such as the neck, upper back, lower back, hips, and surrounding muscles.
Can Chiropractic Care Help With Postpartum Back Pain?
Postpartum back discomfort can result from the combination of pregnancy-related physical changes and the new demands of caring for an infant.
Common activities that may contribute include:
- Repetitive lifting
- Carrying a baby
- Bending over cribs and changing tables
- Feeding
- Carrying a car seat
- Prolonged sitting
- Interrupted sleep
- Returning to exercise
Postnatal chiropractic care may address:
- Joint mobility
- Muscle tension
- Movement limitations
- Posture
- Lifting habits
- Feeding positions
- Exercise and mobility
Research also supports exercise as an important component of postpartum musculoskeletal recovery. A 2025 systematic review and meta-analysis involving postpartum women found that exercise reduced lumbopelvic pain severity and associated disability.[3]
At Newbold Chiropractic, appropriate exercise and movement recommendations can be incorporated alongside hands-on care.
Neck and Shoulder Pain From Breastfeeding or Bottle-Feeding
Feeding a baby can require remaining in the same position for extended periods, often while looking downward.
Over time, mothers may experience:
- Neck tension
- Shoulder tightness
- Upper-back discomfort
- Muscle fatigue
- Stiffness
Contributing factors may include:
- Looking downward for prolonged periods
- Rounded shoulder positioning
- Limited arm support
- Feeding duration
- Repetitive lifting
- Interrupted sleep
Treatment may combine chiropractic and manual care with ergonomic recommendations, movement breaks, stretching, and home exercises.
Postpartum Posture and Movement
Postpartum posture is influenced by many new daily activities.
These may include:
- Feeding
- Holding a baby
- Carrying infant equipment
- Lifting a car seat
- Reduced abdominal strength
- Sleep positions
- Changes in exercise
- Repetitive bending
Rather than focusing on one perfect posture, treatment can help mothers develop more comfortable movement strategies throughout the day.
Dr. Jandial may recommend changes to feeding positions, lifting techniques, movement habits, exercise, or ergonomics to complement chiropractic treatment.
Chiropractic Care After a C-Section
Women recovering from a cesarean delivery can also experience musculoskeletal discomfort involving the:
- Lower back
- Upper back
- Neck
- Shoulders
- Hips
Care can be modified according to healing, comfort, mobility, and postpartum recovery.
Treatment positioning and techniques are adapted to avoid unnecessary stress on the healing abdominal area while addressing other musculoskeletal concerns.
As recovery progresses, movement and exercise recommendations may also be incorporated.
Helping New Mothers Return to the Activities They Enjoy
Postpartum recovery is about more than returning to exercise.
It is also about being able to:
- Comfortably hold your baby
- Feed your baby
- Lift a car seat
- Walk
- Sleep comfortably
- Return to work
- Exercise
- Take care of your family
- Enjoy everyday activities
At Newbold Chiropractic, the goal of postnatal care is to help mothers move more comfortably, improve mobility, address muscle and joint discomfort, and gradually return to the activities that matter to them.
What to Expect at Your First Prenatal or Postnatal Chiropractic Visit
Your first visit begins with a consultation and health history.
Dr. Jandial may discuss:
- Your stage of pregnancy or postpartum recovery
- Current symptoms
- Obstetric history
- Previous pregnancies
- Previous injuries
- Daily activities
- Work demands
- Exercise
- Feeding positions
- Sleep
- Treatment goals
An examination may evaluate:
- Posture
- Spinal movement
- Pelvic movement
- Joint mobility
- Muscle tension
- Range of motion
- Functional movement
- Neurological findings when appropriate
Dr. Jandial will explain the findings and recommend an individualized approach to care.
When appropriate, treatment may begin during the initial visit.
Why Choose Dr. Sidhartha Jandial, DC, for Prenatal and Postnatal Chiropractic Care?
Dr. Sidhartha Jandial, DC, is an experienced and highly rated chiropractor serving mothers and families throughout Half Moon Bay and the Coastside.
At Newbold Chiropractic, prenatal and postnatal chiropractic care is personalized according to each patient's:
- Stage of pregnancy or postpartum recovery
- Symptoms
- Health history
- Examination findings
- Comfort
- Daily activities
- Lifestyle
- Treatment goals
Care focuses on helping mothers:
- Move comfortably
- Address pregnancy-related back and pelvic discomfort
- Maintain mobility
- Reduce muscle tension
- Stay active during pregnancy
- Adapt to the physical demands of caring for a baby
- Return comfortably to everyday activities after childbirth
Newbold Chiropractic has served the Coastside community since 1983 and welcomes mothers and families from Half Moon Bay, El Granada, Moss Beach, Montara, and surrounding communities.