If you’re pregnant and your back hurts, you’re not alone. Research shows that more than half of pregnant people experience low back or pelvic pain at some point in their pregnancy (Wang et al., 2004).

The good news? A lot can be done to support your comfort. You don’t have to just “deal with it.”

At Southside Chiropractic in Edmonton, pregnancy-related back and pelvic discomfort is something we see often. Here’s an evidence-informed look at what’s happening in your body and how chiropractic care can support you.

Why Pregnancy Changes Your Spine and Pelvis

Your body does some remarkable things during pregnancy. Many of them are great, but can sometimes be hard on your spine, hips, and pelvis.

The most common biomechanical changes include:

• Weight gain in the front of your body. As your belly grows, your center of gravity shifts forward. Your low back has to compensate.
• Increased lumbar lordosis. That’s the inward curve of your low back. It tends to deepen during pregnancy.
• Ligament changes. A hormone called relaxin helps your ligaments soften and stretch. This is part of how your body prepares for birth. It also means your spine and pelvis are less stable than usual.
• Pelvic shifts. The joints of your pelvis (the sacroiliac joints and pubic symphysis) become more mobile.
• Muscle changes. Your abdominal muscles stretch. Some of them stop firing as well. This puts more load on your back.

These changes are normal. They’re part of what your body needs to do. They can also create real musculoskeletal discomfort.

Common Areas of Pregnancy Discomfort

People often think “pregnancy back pain” only means low back pain. It can. But it’s often more than that. Common areas include:

• Low back pain. The most common complaint.
• Sacroiliac (SI) joint pain. A sharp or aching pain in the dimples of your low back or the back of your pelvis.
• Pubic symphysis pain. Pain at the front of your pelvis. It can feel sharp, especially when walking, climbing stairs, or rolling over in bed.
• Mid-back pain. Often comes from rib expansion and breast changes.
• Hip pain. Especially with side sleeping (which is recommended in later pregnancy).
• Round ligament pain. A sharp pain on the sides of your lower belly when you move quickly.

If any of this sounds familiar, you’re not alone.

How Chiropractic Care Supports Comfort

Chiropractic care during pregnancy focuses on supporting your musculoskeletal comfort. That means helping the joints and muscles of your spine and pelvis move and feel better.

A randomized controlled trial published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology compared a multimodal treatment approach (which included chiropractic manual therapy, exercise, and patient education) to standard obstetric care for low back and pelvic pain in pregnancy. The multimodal group reported greater reductions in pain and disability (George et al., 2013).

A systematic review in Obstetrical & Gynecological Survey looked at manual therapy for pregnancy-related musculoskeletal conditions. The review found that chiropractic care was generally well-tolerated and showed benefit for musculoskeletal complaints in pregnancy (Khorsan et al., 2009).

The Webster Certification

You may have heard about the Webster technique. It’s a chiropractic certification focused on pelvic biomechanics. Chiropractors who hold the Webster certification have completed extra training in working with pregnant patients, with a specific focus on pelvic joint function and the surrounding soft tissues.

Dr. Kyla Butz at Southside Chiropractic is Webster certified. Our care for pregnant patients is built on a foundation of additional training in this area.

Webster-certified care is gentle. It uses careful, low-force techniques tailored to pregnancy. The focus is on supporting your pelvis and surrounding muscles so you stay as comfortable as possible.

What to Expect at a Visit

If you’re new to chiropractic during pregnancy, here’s what a visit at our south Edmonton clinic looks like:

1. A detailed health history. We want to know how you’re feeling, what’s been bothering you, and how your pregnancy has been going.
2. A gentle physical assessment. We look at how your spine and pelvis are moving. We check for areas of nervous system dysregulation.
3. A clear explanation. You’ll leave understanding what we found and what your options are.
4. A care plan tailored to your pregnancy. Care is gentle, low-force, and adjusted for your stage of pregnancy and what feels right to you.

Simple Things That Help

While chiropractic care can support comfort, daily habits do a lot of the work:

• Move daily. Walking is excellent. Edmonton’s River Valley, Mill Creek Ravine, and Whitemud Creek trails are perfect for gentle walks.
• Watch your sleep position. Side sleeping with a pillow between your knees often feels best. A pregnancy pillow can be a game-changer.
• Get up slowly. Roll to your side first, then push up with your arms. Avoid sitting straight up from lying down.
• Strengthen carefully. Gentle glute and core work (with guidance from a qualified provider) can help support your pelvis.
• Stay hydrated and well-nourished. Both support your tissues during this big season of change.
• Don’t push through sharp pain. Listen to what your body is telling you BEFORE it becomes a bigger issue.

References

• Borg-Stein, J., & Dugan, S. A. (2007). Musculoskeletal disorders of pregnancy, delivery and postpartum. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinics of North America, 18(3), 459-476.
• George, J. W., Skaggs, C. D., Thompson, P. A., Nelson, D. M., Gaudard, M. A., & Gross, G. A. (2013). A randomized controlled trial comparing a multimodal intervention and standard obstetrics care for low back and pelvic pain in pregnancy. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 208(4), 295.e1-295.e7.
• Khorsan, R., Hawk, C., Lisi, A. J., & Kizhakkeveettil, A. (2009). Manipulative therapy for pregnancy and related conditions: A systematic review. Obstetrical & Gynecological Survey, 64(6), 416-427.
• Wang, S. M., Dezinno, P., Maranets, I., Berman, M. R., Caldwell-Andrews, A. A., & Kain, Z. N. (2004). Low back pain during pregnancy: Prevalence, risk factors, and outcomes. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 104(1), 65-70.