For most people with a healthy, low-risk pregnancy, chiropractic care from a provider trained in prenatal techniques is considered a reasonable option for back and pelvic discomfort. Prenatal chiropractic care uses gentle methods, adjusted positioning, and tables or supports that avoid pressure on the abdomen. It is not appropriate for everyone, and it works best when your obstetrician or midwife knows about it.
Back pain is one of the most common complaints of pregnancy. As the baby grows, posture changes, the pelvis loosens, and the lower back takes on more load. Many expecting parents in Orange County want relief without adding medication, and that is often what leads them to ask about chiropractic care.
At Khorrami Chiropractic Wellness Center in Laguna Hills, Dr. Marjan Khorrami, D.C., evaluates each patient’s history and stage of pregnancy before recommending care. This guide explains what prenatal chiropractic care involves, what the research says about safety, when it should be avoided, and how to decide whether it fits your pregnancy.
Why Back and Pelvic Pain Are So Common in Pregnancy
Pregnancy changes how the body carries weight. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, back pain is one of the most common pregnancy problems, especially in the later months.
Several changes contribute to that discomfort.
- The growing uterus shifts your center of gravity forward
- The abdominal muscles stretch and provide less support to the spine
- Added weight increases the workload on back muscles and joints
- Hormonal changes loosen the ligaments around the pelvis
- Posture adapts in ways that can strain the lower back, hips, and neck
For many people this pain fades after delivery. For others it lingers for months, which is one reason addressing it during pregnancy can matter.
What Is Prenatal Chiropractic Care?
Prenatal chiropractic care focuses on the spine, pelvis, and surrounding muscles during pregnancy. The goal is to reduce discomfort, support mobility, and help the body adapt to the physical changes taking place.
Care is adjusted for pregnancy in several ways.
- Gentle, low-force techniques instead of forceful adjustments
- Positioning that avoids pressure on the abdomen
- Pregnancy-specific tables or supportive cushions
- Attention to the pelvis, sacrum, and lower back
- Soft tissue work for tight muscles in the hips and lower back
- Guidance on posture, sleep positions, and daily movement
Treatment is tailored to the stage of pregnancy and to how you are feeling on the day of your visit. Learn more about our chiropractic care for pregnancy pain in Orange County.
What Does the Research Say About Safety?
The research on chiropractic care in pregnancy is still developing, and it is fair to say so plainly.
A critical review of adverse events from spinal manipulation in pregnancy and the postpartum period, published in Chiropractic & Manual Therapies, found only a small number of reported adverse events in the medical literature. Events linked to lower back manipulation were mild and temporary. The more serious reports involved manipulation of the neck.
The authors also noted important limits. Because the available evidence is limited, they concluded that the actual level of risk for pregnant patients cannot be stated with certainty. They recommended that clinicians screen carefully for risk factors and take extra caution with higher-risk patients.
In practical terms, this means prenatal chiropractic care appears to carry a low reported risk when performed with appropriate techniques, but no treatment during pregnancy should be considered completely risk-free. Careful screening and communication with your prenatal care team are what make it a responsible choice.
What Is the Webster Technique?
The Webster Technique is a chiropractic approach developed for pregnancy. It focuses on assessing the sacrum and pelvis and on easing tension in the surrounding muscles and ligaments.
Chiropractors can complete additional training and certification in the technique through the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association. Dr. Khorrami is certified in the Webster Technique and is a member of the ICPA.
You may read claims online that chiropractic care can shorten labor or turn a breech baby. These outcomes have not been established by strong research. If your baby is in a breech position, that is a matter for your obstetrician or midwife, who can discuss the options available to you.
What Conditions Can Prenatal Chiropractic Care Address?
Prenatal chiropractic care is most often used for musculoskeletal discomfort, including the following.
- Lower back pain
- Pelvic girdle pain and pressure
- Sacroiliac joint discomfort
- Hip pain and stiffness
- Pain that radiates into the buttock or leg
- Neck and upper back tension from posture changes
- Round ligament discomfort
Not every ache in pregnancy is musculoskeletal. A careful history and examination help determine whether chiropractic care is appropriate or whether you should be seen by your prenatal provider first.
Can a Chiropractor Help With Sciatica During Pregnancy?
Many pregnant patients describe pain that travels from the lower back into the buttock or down the leg. Sometimes this is true sciatica. More often in pregnancy, it is pain from the pelvis or sacroiliac joints that follows a similar path.
Telling the two apart matters because it shapes the treatment plan. Our article Can a Chiropractor Help With Sciatica? explains how leg pain is evaluated, and you can also read about sciatica treatment in Orange County.
New numbness, weakness in the leg, or changes in bladder or bowel control are not typical pregnancy discomfort. Seek prompt medical attention if any of these develop.
Is Chiropractic Care Safe in Each Trimester?
Prenatal chiropractic care can be adapted throughout pregnancy, but what it looks like changes as your body changes.
First Trimester
Physical changes are less visible, but ligaments are already beginning to loosen. Some patients start care early to address existing back pain or to establish a baseline before the body changes further.
Second Trimester
As the belly grows, positioning becomes more important. Pregnancy tables or cushions allow you to lie comfortably without pressure on the abdomen. Many people notice more lower back and hip discomfort during this stage.
Third Trimester
Care becomes gentler and more focused on comfort, mobility, and the pelvis. Lying flat on the back for long periods is generally avoided late in pregnancy, so treatment positions are adjusted accordingly.
At every stage, your chiropractor should ask how your pregnancy is progressing and whether anything has changed since your last visit.
When Should You Avoid Chiropractic Care During Pregnancy?
Chiropractic care is not appropriate for every pregnancy. Talk with your obstetrician or midwife before starting care, and do not proceed without their guidance if any of the following apply.
- Vaginal bleeding or spotting
- Placenta previa or placental abruption
- Signs of preterm labor or ruptured membranes
- Preeclampsia or high blood pressure
- A history of blood clots or a clotting disorder
- A pregnancy your provider has identified as high risk
- Sudden, severe, or unexplained pain
These situations call for medical evaluation first. A responsible chiropractor will ask about them and will refer you back to your prenatal provider when needed.
Warning Signs That Need Medical Attention
Back pain in pregnancy is usually musculoskeletal, but not always. ACOG advises contacting your obstetric provider if back pain is severe or lasts more than two weeks.
Back pain can sometimes signal preterm labor or a urinary tract infection. Call your provider promptly if back pain comes with any of the following.
- Fever
- Burning during urination
- Vaginal bleeding
- Rhythmic cramping or tightening of the abdomen
- A change in vaginal discharge or leaking fluid
Chiropractic care should never delay evaluation of these symptoms.
What Happens at a Prenatal Chiropractic Visit?
Your first visit begins with a conversation about your symptoms, health history, and stage of pregnancy. You will be asked about any complications and about the care you are receiving from your obstetrician or midwife.
The examination usually looks at posture, pelvic alignment, joint movement, and muscle tension. Your chiropractor then explains what they found and whether chiropractic care is a good fit.
If treatment is appropriate, it may include gentle adjustments, soft tissue work, and positioning designed for pregnancy. You should feel free to say if a position is uncomfortable, and the approach should change if it is.
New patients can save time by completing the new patient registration form before the first appointment.
What You Can Do at Home to Ease Back Pain
In-office care works best alongside daily habits that support your back. ACOG recommends several practical steps.
- Wear low-heeled shoes with good arch support
- Bend your knees and squat to lift instead of bending at the waist
- Use a small pillow or lumbar support behind your lower back when sitting
- Sleep on your side with a pillow between your knees and another under your belly
- Consider a maternity support belt
- Apply heat or cold to sore muscles, keeping heating pads on a low setting
- Stay active with walking or water exercise if your provider approves
Our article on daily habits that improve posture and long-term spinal health offers more ideas that can help during and after pregnancy. Supportive footwear matters too, and some patients benefit from custom orthotics as their weight and posture change.
Chiropractic Care Works Best as Part of Your Prenatal Team
Chiropractic care is one piece of prenatal support, not a replacement for obstetric care. Your obstetrician or midwife remains the lead on your pregnancy, and they should know about every treatment you receive.
Depending on your symptoms, other forms of support may also help. Your provider may recommend physical therapy for pelvic girdle pain, a maternity support belt, prenatal exercise classes, or prenatal massage from a therapist trained in pregnancy care.
Sharing information between providers keeps everyone working toward the same goal. Let your chiropractor know about any changes your prenatal provider identifies, and tell your prenatal provider how you are responding to chiropractic care.
Chiropractic Care After Delivery
The body does not return to its pre-pregnancy state overnight. Ligaments can stay loose for some time, abdominal muscles need to recover, and caring for a newborn adds new strain from lifting, feeding, and carrying.
Some parents continue care after delivery to address lower back pain, upper back tension, and posture during the postpartum months. Check with your provider about when it is appropriate to resume care, especially after a cesarean birth. Our clinic also offers chiropractic care for children as your family grows.
How to Choose a Prenatal Chiropractor
Training and communication are the two most important factors. These questions can help.
- Do you have specific training in prenatal chiropractic care?
- Are you certified in the Webster Technique?
- What equipment do you use to keep pressure off the abdomen?
- Which techniques do you avoid during pregnancy?
- How do you coordinate with obstetricians and midwives?
- What symptoms would lead you to refer me back to my prenatal provider?
A good prenatal chiropractor will welcome these questions and give clear, realistic answers. Learn more about Dr. Marjan Khorrami and her approach to chiropractic care in Orange County.
The Bottom Line
Chiropractic care during pregnancy is generally considered a reasonable, drug-free option for back and pelvic discomfort when it is provided by a chiropractor trained in prenatal care and when the pregnancy is not high risk.
The research on safety is reassuring but limited, which is why screening, gentle techniques, and coordination with your obstetrician or midwife matter. Claims about shorter labor or turning breech babies are not well supported, and pregnancy complications always come first.
If back or pelvic pain is making pregnancy harder than it needs to be, an evaluation can help you understand your options.
Schedule a Prenatal Chiropractic Evaluation in Laguna Hills
Dr. Marjan Khorrami, D.C., provides prenatal chiropractic care for expecting parents throughout Orange County, including Laguna Hills, Mission Viejo, Lake Forest, Laguna Niguel, Aliso Viejo, Irvine, and surrounding communities.
To find out whether prenatal chiropractic care is right for you, schedule an appointment, contact our office, or call (949) 770-0128.
Khorrami Chiropractic Wellness Center
25301 Cabot Rd, Suite 106
Laguna Hills, CA 92653
Phone: (949) 770-0128
Email: info@kcwellnesscenter.com
Office Hours
Monday to Thursday, 8 AM to 6 PM
Friday, 8 AM to 2 PM
Saturday, 9 AM to 1 PM
Sunday, Closed
FAQs
1. Is chiropractic care safe during pregnancy?
For many people with a low-risk pregnancy, chiropractic care from a provider trained in prenatal techniques is considered a reasonable option. Research reports few adverse events, though the evidence is limited. Talk with your obstetrician or midwife before starting care.
2. Can a chiropractor adjust you while pregnant?
Yes, when appropriate. Prenatal adjustments use gentle techniques and positioning that avoids pressure on the abdomen, often with pregnancy-specific tables or cushions.
3. When should you not see a chiropractor while pregnant?
Avoid care unless your prenatal provider approves it if you have vaginal bleeding, placenta previa or abruption, signs of preterm labor, preeclampsia, a clotting disorder, or a high-risk pregnancy.
4. What is the Webster Technique?
It is a chiropractic approach developed for pregnancy that focuses on the sacrum and pelvis and the surrounding muscles and ligaments. Chiropractors can become certified through the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association.
5. Can chiropractic care turn a breech baby?
This has not been established by strong research. Breech presentation should be managed by your obstetrician or midwife.
6. Does chiropractic care make labor easier or shorter?
Some sources make this claim, but it is not well supported by research. The main goal of prenatal chiropractic care is comfort and mobility during pregnancy.
7. Can a chiropractor help with pelvic pain during pregnancy?
Pelvic and sacroiliac discomfort are among the most common reasons pregnant patients seek chiropractic care. An evaluation helps determine whether it is appropriate for your symptoms.
8. Is it safe to see a chiropractor in the third trimester?
Care can continue late in pregnancy with gentler techniques and adjusted positioning, as long as your pregnancy is progressing normally and your provider agrees.
9. Can I see a chiropractor after giving birth?
Many parents do. Ask your provider when it is appropriate to resume care, particularly after a cesarean delivery.
10. Where can I find a prenatal chiropractor in Orange County?
Khorrami Chiropractic Wellness Center in Laguna Hills offers prenatal chiropractic care with Dr. Marjan Khorrami, who is Webster certified. Call (949) 770-0128 or visit the contact page.
Khorrami Chiropractic Wellness Center
25301 Cabot Rd, Suite 106
Laguna Hills, CA 92653
Healthcare Disclaimer: This article is provided for general educational purposes and is not a diagnosis, treatment recommendation, or substitute for care from your obstetrician, midwife, or other qualified healthcare provider. Pregnancy-related symptoms can have many causes. Consult your prenatal care provider before beginning chiropractic care, and seek immediate medical attention for bleeding, severe pain, signs of preterm labor, or other urgent symptoms.
