Many people see a chiropractor during pregnancy for low back pain, pelvic or hip pain and sciatica-type pain. A prenatal visit starts with a health history and an assessment, then hands-on care adapted to your stage of pregnancy, such as gentle soft tissue work, mobilization and side-lying positions with pillows, plus stretches and posture advice to use at home. You do not need a referral, but keep your midwife or doctor in the loop, and call them first for bleeding, fluid loss, contractions or sudden severe pain.
Key Takeaways
- Back pain in pregnancy is common: at least half of pregnant people have it at some point, according to a 2013 Canadian chiropractic study.
- A first prenatal visit is mostly assessment: your health history, your pregnancy so far, and how your back, pelvis and hips move.
- Treatment is adapted for pregnancy, with supported positions, gentler techniques and home stretches.
- Four of Anchor's chiropractors list prenatal and postpartum care as a focus.
- No referral is needed. Chiropractic is not covered by OHIP, but most extended health plans include it.
- Some symptoms are not a chiropractic problem. Bleeding, fluid loss, contractions or sudden severe pain go to your midwife, doctor or Health811 first.
In This Article
Seeing a chiropractor during pregnancy usually means an assessment of your back, pelvis and hips, followed by gentle hands-on care adapted to how far along you are, plus stretches and posture tips to use at home. At Anchor in Keswick, four of our chiropractors list prenatal and postpartum care as a focus, and you can book without a referral.
This guide covers what pregnancy-related pain chiropractors see, what happens at a first visit, how treatment changes as your bump grows, and which symptoms belong with your midwife or doctor instead.
Why Back and Pelvic Pain Is So Common in Pregnancy
Back pain is one of the most common complaints of pregnancy. A 2013 study of Greater Toronto Area chiropractors, published in the Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association, notes that at least 50% of pregnant women have back pain at some point in their pregnancy.
Several changes stack up at once:
- Your centre of gravity moves forward, so your lower back and hips work harder to keep you upright.
- Hormones loosen the ligaments around your pelvis to prepare for birth, which can make the joints at the back of the pelvis and the front pubic joint feel sore or unstable.
- Your posture changes as your belly grows, often pulling the lower back into more of an arch and rounding the upper back.
- Sleep gets harder, and a night of lying in one position can leave hips and shoulders stiff.
The problems we see most often at the clinic include:
- low back pain, especially later in the day
- pain at the back of the pelvis or in the buttock (sacroiliac joint pain)
- pain at the front of the pelvis when walking, climbing stairs or rolling over in bed
- sciatica-type pain running into the buttock or leg
- hip pain when lying on your side
- upper back, neck and rib pain as your posture changes
What Happens at a Prenatal Chiropractic Visit
Your first visit is mostly about understanding what is going on before any treatment starts.
1. Health history. Your chiropractor asks how far along you are, how the pregnancy has gone so far, any complications your midwife or doctor has mentioned, previous pregnancies and births, and where and when your pain shows up.
2. Assessment. Expect posture and movement checks, gentle testing of the joints of your lower back and pelvis, and orthopedic and neurological tests to work out where the pain is coming from. Positions are adjusted so you are comfortable.
3. A plan you understand. Your chiropractor explains what they found in plain language, what they suggest and how often, and what you can do at home. You can say yes or no to any part of it.
4. Treatment, if appropriate. Treatment usually starts in the same visit when it suits you. If something in your history or assessment needs medical attention first, your chiropractor will tell you and point you to the right person.
Wear comfortable clothes you can move in. Bring your benefits card if you would like us to check direct billing.
How Treatment Is Adapted for Pregnancy
Chiropractic care in pregnancy is not the same treatment with a bump in the way. The techniques, positions and force are adjusted for each stage.
Positioning. Lying face down stops being an option as your belly grows. Treatment moves to side-lying, seated or partly reclined positions, supported with pillows under your bump and between your knees.
Gentler techniques. Care can include soft tissue work on tight muscles, mobilization of stiff joints, and adjustments where they are suitable. In the 2013 Toronto-area survey, 61.6% of chiropractors who treat pregnant patients reported using soft tissue therapy with them.
Exercise and advice. The same survey found 91.5% of those chiropractors prescribe stretching exercises, and most also give strengthening and core stability work. Expect a short list of moves you can do at home, along with tips for sleeping positions, getting in and out of the car, and lifting a toddler without straining your back.
Working as a team. In that survey, 90.4% of chiropractors referred pregnant patients for massage therapy. At Anchor, registered massage therapy (including pregnancy massage), pelvic floor physiotherapy and osteopathy are in the same building, so a referral is a conversation down the hall.
A note on evidence. Research on chiropractic care in pregnancy is growing but still limited, and the same study says so plainly. We will not promise a result. What we can do is assess you carefully, explain your options and adjust the plan to how you respond.
When to Call Your Midwife or Doctor First
Some pain in pregnancy is not a muscle or joint problem. Contact your midwife, doctor or Health811 (call 811), or go to the hospital, before booking a chiropractor if you have:
- vaginal bleeding or a gush or trickle of fluid
- regular tightening or cramping that could be contractions, especially before 37 weeks
- sudden, severe or constant pain in your belly or back
- fewer baby movements than usual
- fever, chills or burning when you pass urine
- a severe headache, vision changes or sudden swelling of the face and hands
- numbness in the groin or inner thighs, or new trouble controlling your bladder or bowels
If you are unsure, call your care provider first. We are happy to see you once you have been checked.
Choosing a Chiropractor for Pregnancy Care in Keswick
A few questions help you find the right fit:
- Do they see pregnant patients regularly? Ask how often, and what changes in their approach in the second and third trimester.
- Will they work with your midwife or doctor? A good chiropractor will ask about your prenatal care and suggest you keep your provider informed.
- Do they teach you what to do at home? Stretches and positioning advice matter between visits.
- Is there a plan after the birth? Postpartum back and wrist pain is common, and so are pelvic floor questions.
At Anchor, Dr. Alli Cain-Winberg, Dr. Karlie Sikura and Dr. Chelsea McElrea list prenatal and postpartum care among their focus areas, and Dr. Aly Rawson has a special interest in perinatal care. You can read about each of them on our team page.
Cost, Coverage and Booking
Chiropractic care is not covered by OHIP, but most extended health benefit plans include it. Our guide to whether chiropractic is covered by OHIP explains what to check in your plan. We offer direct billing where possible, and accept major credit cards, debit and cash.
You do not need a referral. To book prenatal chiropractic care in Keswick, use our online booking or call (905) 535-4449. We are at 443 The Queensway South, Unit 70, a short drive from Sutton, Jackson's Point and Pefferlaw.
After your baby arrives, the same team can help with postpartum aches, and our GROWCO postnatal rehab program and pelvic floor physiotherapy can help you rebuild strength when you are ready.
References
- Therapeutic interventions employed by Greater Toronto Area chiropractors on pregnant patients: results of a cross-sectional online survey, Yuen T, Wells K, Benoit S, Yohanathan S, Capelletti L, Stuber K. Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association, 2013;57(2):132-142
Ready When You Are
Book an assessment at our Keswick clinic
No referral needed. Most extended health benefit plans provide coverage, and we direct bill where possible.
