Back Pain During Pregnancy: Causes, Relief and Prenatal Chiropractic Care

Why Back, Hip, and Pelvic Pain Happen During Pregnancy — And What Actually Helps

If you’re pregnant and dealing with aching hips, a tight low back, or a pelvis that feels like it’s being pulled apart - you are not alone. Back pain during pregnancy affects up to 70% of pregnant women at some point, and for many, it starts far earlier than expected.

The good news? This pain is not something you just have to push through. Understanding why it happens is the first step toward finding real relief.

Why Does Pregnancy Cause Back, Hip, and Pelvic Pain?

Pregnancy is a full-body neurological and structural event. Your body is doing extraordinary things — but those changes put real demands on your spine, pelvis, and nervous system. Here are the key reasons pain develops:

1. Hormonal Changes: Relaxin and Ligament Laxity

During pregnancy, your body produces a hormone called relaxin, which loosens the ligaments throughout your pelvis to prepare for birth. While this is essential for labor, it also means your joints - especially the sacroiliac (SI) joints and pubic symphysis - become less stable.

When joints are hypermobile, the surrounding muscles work overtime to compensate, leading to tension, fatigue, and pain -  especially in the hips, low back, and inner thighs.

2. Postural Shifts and Center of Gravity

As your belly grows, your center of gravity shifts forward. This creates an anterior pelvic tilt, which increases the curve in your lumbar spine (lower back). Over time, this puts compressive pressure on the vertebrae and discs of the low back and can contribute to:

• Lumbar pain and stiffness

• Sciatica or radiating pain down the legs

• Tension in the hip flexors and glutes

• Thoracic (mid-back) tightness from rib cage expansion

  
  

3. Sacroiliac (SI) Joint Dysfunction

The sacroiliac joints connect your sacrum (the base of your spine) to your pelvis. With hormonal laxity and postural changes, these joints can become misaligned or unstable - a condition common in pregnancy that causes deep, one-sided low back or buttock pain that may radiate into the leg.

SI joint dysfunction is one of the most frequently misdiagnosed sources of pregnancy-related pain.

4. Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (SPD)

The pubic symphysis is the joint at the front of your pelvis. When it becomes too mobile or misaligned, it causes sharp, debilitating pain in the front of the pelvis, groin, inner thighs, and even down the legs. SPD can make walking, climbing stairs, or turning in bed extremely painful.

Chiropractic care is one of the most effective ways to address SPD, as it addresses the underlying joint alignment - not just the symptom.

5. Round Ligament Pain

The round ligaments support the uterus and stretch as it grows. Sharp, brief, stabbing pain on one or both sides of the lower abdomen or groin - especially when changing position quickly - is often round ligament pain. While typically harmless, it can be intense and alarming.

6. Subluxation: The Neurological Root

At Above Down Chiropractic, we approach pregnancy pain through a neurologically-based lens. A subluxation is a misalignment in the spine or pelvis that creates interference in your nervous system - affecting how your brain and body communicate.

During pregnancy, subluxations can develop or worsen due to all of the changes described above. They don’t just cause pain - they affect how your entire body functions, including how your uterine muscles contract, how your baby positions, and how your body prepares for birth.

When Does Pregnancy-Related Back and Pelvic Pain Usually Start?

Pain can begin as early as the first trimester due to hormonal changes, but it most commonly intensifies in the second and third trimesters as the baby grows and postural demands increase.

Common timelines:

• Weeks 4–16: Round ligament pain, early SI joint sensitivity, fatigue-related muscle tension

• Weeks 16–28: Postural shifts intensify, sciatica may begin, SPD may emerge

• Weeks 28–40: Increased pelvic pressure, baby positioning affecting alignment, symphysis and SI stress peaks

Pain that begins early and goes unaddressed often accumulates - which is one of the best reasons to start prenatal chiropractic care proactively, not reactively.

How Does Prenatal Chiropractic Care Help?

Prenatal chiropractic is not just about cracking your back. It’s a specialized, gentle form of care designed to restore alignment, balance the pelvis, and reduce nervous system interference -  supporting both your comfort and your body’s ability to function optimally throughout pregnancy.

The Webster Technique

The Webster Technique is a specific chiropractic analysis and adjustment protocol designed for pregnant patients. It focuses on restoring balance to the sacrum, pelvis, and surrounding soft tissue - reducing tension on the uterine ligaments and creating optimal space for the baby to grow and move.

It is widely used to address pelvic pain, SPD, SI joint dysfunction, and to support optimal fetal positioning as birth approaches. At Above Down Chiropractic, our prenatal-focused doctors are trained in Webster Technique and apply it within a comprehensive, neurologically-based approach.

What a Prenatal Chiropractic Visit Looks Like

Our prenatal patients receive:

• A full nervous system and postural assessment

• Gentle spinal and pelvic adjustments tailored to your trimester and comfort

• Soft tissue work to address round ligament tension, hip flexor tightness, and more

• Guidance on positioning, sleep support, and at-home care between visits

All adjustments are performed with pregnancy-specific techniques and positioning - you will always be comfortable on our tables, with accommodations for every stage of your pregnancy.

We have two session options: our Sigature Alignment (using basic Webster Technique) or Activation Session (adds advanced myofascial support and/or prenatal exercises) for birth prep which our most recommended and requested session type.

Benefits Patients Experience

• Significant reduction in low back, hip, and pelvic pain

• Improved sleep quality

• Greater mobility and ease of movement

• Reduction in sciatica symptoms

• Support for optimal baby positioning

• A calmer nervous system overall - which benefits both mom and baby

Is Chiropractic Care Safe During Pregnancy?

Yes, when performed by a trained provider, prenatal chiropractic care is considered safe throughout all three trimesters of pregnancy. No high-velocity, high-force techniques are used on the abdomen. Adjustments are modified based on your stage of pregnancy, your comfort level, and your specific needs.

Chiropractic care during pregnancy has been shown in research to reduce pain, improve outcomes, and support a more comfortable labor and delivery. Many of our patients tell us they wish they had started sooner.

As always, we recommend communicating with your OB, midwife, or birth team, and we are happy to coordinate care when appropriate.

When Should You Start Prenatal Chiropractic Care?

The short answer: as early as you feel called to.

We prefer to see patients start care in the first trimester to get ahead of postural changes and establish a healthy neurological foundation for pregnancy. Others come in later when pain becomes a daily issue. There is no wrong time to begin - but earlier tends to yield more cumulative benefit.

If you are experiencing any of the following, prenatal chiropractic care may be especially beneficial for you:

• Low back pain or stiffness that is getting worse

• Hip pain that interferes with walking or sleeping

• Pubic symphysis or inner thigh pain (SPD)

• Sciatic pain or radiating leg pain

• A feeling that your pelvis is “uneven” or unstable

• Anxiety or stress

• Baby in a less-than-ideal position after 30+ weeks

• A previous pregnancy with back or pelvic pain

• A desire to support your body proactively through pregnancy

Prenatal Chiropractic Care in Palm Beach and Jupiter, FL

At Above Down Chiropractic, prenatal care is one of our specialties - not an afterthought. We offer subluxation-based, neurologically-focused care for pregnant mamas at every stage, with compassionate, experienced providers who understand the full picture of what your body is going through.

Our prenatal patients are seen at our Palm Beach and Jupiter locations, with flexible scheduling designed around the demands of pregnancy. We also offer prenatal wellness memberships for those who want consistent, ongoing support throughout their entire pregnancy journey.

Ready to feel better and move through your pregnancy with more ease? We’d love to support you.

➡ Book your first prenatal visit at abovedownchiropractic.com or text our office.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a chiropractor help with pelvic pain during pregnancy?

Yes. Chiropractic care - especially using the Webster Technique - is one of the most effective approaches for pregnancy-related pelvic pain, including SI joint dysfunction and symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD). It addresses the root cause (joint misalignment and nervous system interference) rather than masking symptoms.

Is it safe to get adjusted while pregnant?

Yes. Prenatal chiropractic adjustments are gentle, modified for pregnancy, and do not involve any force on the abdomen. They are considered safe throughout all trimesters and are widely used by pregnant patients with OB and midwife support.

How often should I see a chiropractor during pregnancy?

Visit frequency depends on your trimester, symptoms, and goals. Early in pregnancy, once per week may be sufficient. In the second and third trimesters, two to three times per week is common as the body’s demands increase. Your provider will recommend a care plan specific to you.

What is the Webster Technique?

The Webster Technique is a chiropractic protocol specifically designed for pregnant patients that focuses on sacral and pelvic alignment, and reducing tension in the uterine ligaments. It is commonly used to address pelvic pain and support optimal fetal positioning. We combine this technique with our Above Down Method for an advanced approach to prenatal chiropractic care. 

Can chiropractic care help with sciatic nerve pain during pregnancy?

Yes. Sciatica during pregnancy is often caused by pelvic misalignment, disc pressure, or tight piriformis muscles - all of which chiropractic adjustments and soft tissue work can address directly. Many patients experience significant sciatica relief with consistent prenatal chiropractic care.

Does chiropractic care help baby get in the right position for birth?

A balanced pelvis creates the most space and the best mechanical environment for baby to move into an optimal position. Many patients with breech or transverse presentations pursue Webster Technique-based care in the third trimester to support fetal positioning before birth. We do not claim to "flip babies" - we help the mother's body create space in the womb which can in turn support optimal position for baby. Starting chiropractic care early in your pregnancy is the best way to support optimal fetal positioning.

Client Testimonial

"So grateful to have found Above Down Chiro during my pregnancy journey. Dr Natalie and her team are truly so talented and transformative to keeping my body aligned and nervous system calm at all stages of pregnancy and life. I always feel amazing after each appt. It’s not just a Chrio appt it’s an experience where they truly care for you as a whole person and you feel heard and cared for. Highly recommend!!!" - Author: Google Review, Caroline T.

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Above Down Chiropractic serves prenatal, pediatric, and performance patients in Palm Beach and Jupiter, Florida. This blog is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with your birth care provider for personalized guidance.