Aches and strains are common during pregnancy and the first year of parenting. But common doesn't mean you have to work it out on your own.
At Capital Chiro, we see mums at every stage, from the first trimester through to the toddler years. This post explores what chiropractic care may involve during pregnancy and after birth, what the research tells us, and where the evidence is still developing.
Your body is doing a lot
As pregnancy progresses, your centre of gravity shifts, your posture adapts, and hormonal changes affect the ligaments around your pelvis. For some women, these changes contribute to low back pain or pain around the pelvis and pubic bone.
The tricky part? Not every ache during pregnancy is the same. Some discomfort may be muscular, some may be joint-related, and some symptoms need a different kind of care altogether. That's why we start with listening and a thorough assessment, rather than following a set routine.
A useful question to ask yourself is: What is my body being asked to do right now, and what would make that feel a bit easier?
What chiropractic care can look like during pregnancy
Chiropractic care during pregnancy should be tailored to your individual needs and stage of pregnancy. Depending on your assessment, it may include hands-on techniques for your spine and pelvis, adjusted positioning on the table, and practical advice on movement, sleeping positions and everyday habits.
The focus is on your musculoskeletal health and individual needs as a mum. Care is not directed at your baby. Dr Winnie is also Webster Certified. The Webster Technique is a specific chiropractic technique used during pregnancy, which we explore further in our post Can You Turn My Baby?
What does the research say?
Research into chiropractic care during pregnancy is still developing.
Some published case reports describe individual women who received chiropractic care for pregnancy-related pelvic or low back pain. A small case series also explored quality of life in six pregnant women. These reports can provide useful observations, but they cannot establish that care caused any improvement.¹⁻³
A larger 2018 study followed 343 pregnant women receiving chiropractic care, including the Webster Technique. Participants reported improvements in some areas, including fatigue, pain interference and sleep disturbance, while anxiety and depression scores did not change.⁴ However, without a control group, the study could not establish whether these changes were due to the care itself.
Overall, the evidence does not yet provide firm conclusions about effectiveness, and we cannot promise any particular result. More robust research is needed.
After baby arrives: Postnatal care and your body
Birth isn't the finish line for your body. The months that follow bring their own physical load:
Lifting and carrying a baby, car seat or toddler, often on one hip
Long stretches of feeding or settling in awkward positions
A body still recovering from birth, whether vaginal or caesarean
Less sleep, and far less time for your own movement
Some women notice tightness through the neck, shoulders and upper back, or ongoing low back or pelvic discomfort. Postnatal chiropractic care may involve assessing your musculoskeletal health and discussing practical ways to manage everyday physical demands, from how you set up for feeding to how you lift and carry.
If you're considering chiropractic care after birth, discuss your circumstances with your midwife, obstetrician or GP, particularly if you've had a caesarean or a complicated delivery. We'll also talk through your health history and individual needs at your first visit.
We don't provide care for feeding difficulties or concerns about your baby's health. If feeding is proving hard, your midwife, a lactation consultant or your child health nurse are the right people to speak with.
When to seek other healthcare support
Not every symptom during pregnancy or after birth is musculoskeletal. If you experience severe or unusual pain, new numbness or weakness, bleeding, fluid loss, or other concerning symptoms, contact your midwife, obstetrician or GP promptly. Some symptoms may require urgent medical assessment.
For pelvic floor concerns, such as leaking or a feeling of heaviness, a women's health physiotherapist may be able to help. If you're feeling persistently low, anxious or overwhelmed after birth, speak with your GP or child health nurse.
Good healthcare isn't about making everything fit one treatment. It's about having the right people around you, and chiropractic care may sit alongside support from your midwife, obstetrician, GP and other healthcare professionals when appropriate.
Come and have a chat
Whether you're pregnant, newly postnatal, or somewhere in between, we'd love to talk through what chiropractic care might involve for you, what the evidence does and doesn't show, and whether it's worth exploring. No pressure, just a conversation.
We're here for you!
Join us for Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond - 25 November, 2026
Pregnancy and early parenthood bring plenty of changes, questions and new experiences. That's why we're hosting our Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond workshop on 25 November!
Whether you're preparing to welcome your first baby or simply want to feel more informed about the journey through pregnancy, birth and beyond, this workshop is an opportunity to learn, ask questions and connect.
Workshop details
Date: 25 November 2026
Time: 6.30pm
Location: Capital Chiropractic Centre
Bookings: contact reception at 0411 735 741
We'd love to see you there! Book your spot and join us for a conversation about pregnancy, birth and beyond.
This information is provided for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for individual healthcare advice, diagnosis or treatment. Every pregnancy and postnatal recovery is different. Please discuss your circumstances and healthcare options with a qualified healthcare professional.
References
Shtulman I, Miller H, Alcantara J. Resolution of symphysis pubic pain & dysfunction following chiropractic care in a pregnant patient: case study & review of the literature. J Pediatr Matern Fam Health Chiropr. 2019;2019:36–40.
Edwards J, Alcantara J. Resolution of peripheral neuropathy, lower extremity edema, and low back pain in a pregnant female undergoing chiropractic care. J Pediatr Matern Fam Health Chiropr. 2015;2015(3):86–91.
Alcantara J, Ohm J. Improvement in quality of life for six pregnant patients undergoing chiropractic care: the promise of PROMIS. J Pediatr Matern Fam Health Chiropr. 2013;2013(1):11–14.
Alcantara J, Nazarenko AL, Ohm J, Alcantara J. The use of the Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System and the RAND VSQ9 to measure the quality of life and visit-specific satisfaction of pregnant patients under chiropractic care utilizing the Webster Technique. J Altern Complement Med. 2018;24(1):90–98.