Pregnancy Chiropractic – More Than Pain Relief

Searching for a pregnancy chiropractor in Melbourne? Many people look for help when pain or discomfort appears. But chiropractic during pregnancy can offer more than symptom relief alone. While results vary between individuals, chiropractic care may support pregnant mummas with comfort, movement and preparation for birth and postpartum recovery.

What Does a Pregnancy Chiropractor Do?

A pregnancy chiropractor uses gentle techniques to assess and support how the spine, pelvis and nervous system are functioning.

Assessments might include:

• Pelvic and spinal mobility assessments

• Posture

• Ligament and muscle tension such as the infamous round ligaments

• Rib cage expansion and breath

• Jaw and pelvic floor connection

• Balance - pregnancy is a risk of falling

• Nervous system dysregulation

Chiropractic care during pregnancy is adapted according to your comfort, belly’s growth, factors like placenta position, hormonal changes and most importantly, your preference.

The aim is to help the body adapt to the immense changes of pregnancy. Every pregnancy is unique and so this might be a little different for everyone.

Why Chiropractic in Pregnancy Is Different

Hormonal changes such as relaxin can alter ligament tension and joint movement. As posture shifts and baby & belly grow, the body may experience extra stress. Chiropractic techniques are modified during pregnancy using specialised pillows or tables to allow comfortable treatments.

A pregnancy chiropractor focuses on:

• Baby’s safety — tried and tested techniques are used on the mother’s body and never is an unborn baby treated

• Gentle chiropractic adjustments adapted to pregnancy for comfort, mobility and pain relief

• Soft tissue release to ease muscle and ligament tension

• Positioning and posture advice such as sitting and sleeping

• Movement strategies for daily activities including exercise modifications, lifting, bending and walking

• Birth & postpartum preparation

• Education about body changes

Benefits of Pregnancy Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic care during pregnancy may:

• Support easier movement

• Release muscle tightness

• Relieve aches and pains

• Assist with posture changes

• Help with mobility during daily tasks

• Provide education and body awareness

• Remove pressure on pinched nerves

• Support easier and deeper breaths

Some individuals choose care proactively — not just when pain appears — to stay mobile and feel supported throughout pregnancy.

Pelvic Balance and Movement

The pelvis plays an important structural role during pregnancy. When it moves well, it may help reduce stress on surrounding muscles and ligaments. Chiropractors use techniques that support pelvic alignment and balanced movement.

Supporting Birth: Preparing the Body

Chiropractic care can include guidance on safe movements and positioning during labour. Learning how the pelvis moves as baby descends and during contractions may help a mother find positions that feel more comfortable. Practitioners may discuss:

• Upright positions, squatting, and side-lying for labour

• How to move to reduce strain and tension

• Techniques to maintain comfort while encouraging effective movement

Education and practice of these positions before labour may help mothers feel more confident in navigating each stage safely and comfortably.

By removing tension and restriction, your body can freely open up, move and find positions of comfort. This is what chiropractic is all about.

The below video shows how the pelvis needs to move freely during birth for baby to descend down and through the pelvis.

Posture Tips for Pregnancy

Keeping posture balanced can help reduce unnecessary strain. Some strategies a chiropractor may discuss include:

• Using pillows to support side sleeping

• Changing sitting positions regularly

• Adjusting workstations or desk height

• Learning safer ways to lift or stand - such as carrying other children

• Gentle mobility or strengthening exercises (depending on trimester)

Small changes may help improve everyday comfort.

Is Pregnancy Chiropractic Safe?

A qualified pregnancy chiropractor will assess what is appropriate for your stage of pregnancy. Care is always adapted to the individual and may be modified when necessary. Chiropractic care complements your prenatal medical care with your midwife, OB and / or GP.

Who Might Consider Pregnancy Chiropractic?

Individuals may seek chiropractic during pregnancy if they:

• Want to feel empowered and supported during pregnancy and beyond

• Want support with posture or mobility

• Feel tightness or restriction in movement

• Need relief of aches and pains

• Spend long hours sitting or standing

• Want guidance on body awareness and positioning

Your chiropractor will work alongside your perinatal team including GP, midwife, obstetrician, acupuncturists, psychologists, dietitians, etc.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

✔ Is chiropractic safe during pregnancy?
Techniques are modified for comfort and safety. Each person is assessed individually. Certain pressure points are avoided that are acupuncture points for induction. Deep pressure is performed over bones (eg: towards the boney pelvis) and away from baby. Techniques might be modified based on baby’s position, cervix, placenta and other factors.

✔ Can it help with pelvic pain or low back pain?
This is a very common reason why women seek chiropractic care during pregnancy. It can be extremely helpful for pain relief but some changes of pregnancy are out of our control.

✔ Do I need a referral?
No referral is required, but some people choose to speak to their midwife, OB or GP first. Speaking to your GP, you might be eligible for a Medicare care plan for some Medicare rebates. If you are birthing in the private system, you'll likely exceed your Medicare Safety Net Threshold, and be eligible for higher Medicare rebates. This may leave you will as little as a few dollars out of pocket per appointment.

✔ What week of pregnancy can I start?
Chiropractic may be used at any stage. Many people attend from the first trimester through to late pregnancy, but some people start right before birth. In general, the more time we have, the better the support, education and comfort that can be provided.

A Supportive Approach to Pregnancy Care

Pregnancy chiropractic is not just for pain. It may support:

• Comfortable & safe movement

• Postural awareness

• Pelvic mobility

• Daily function and body confidence

• Empowered about the vast changes occurring

Because you deserve the best

Our pregnancy chiropractors are experienced with and trained in pregnancy chiropractic techniques such as Webster Technique.

More so, our pregnancy chiropractors incorporate many supports as part of their approach including:

• Pregnancy, Birth & Postpartum Doula

• Prenatal Pilates & Prenatal Yoga

• Spinning Babies & Optimal Maternal Positioning

• Prenatal & Fertility Nutrition

This varies based on individual training so please review practitioner profiles for specific details.

If you’re considering pregnancy chiropractic in Moonee Ponds, Essendon, Ascot Vale or surrounding Melbourne suburbs, get in contact so we can help book your appointment in.