Can Chiropractic Help During Pregnancy?
Many women seeking chiropractic care during pregnancy in London aren’t sure where to start — or whether it’s even suitable for them. It is, and it may make a real difference. Pregnancy changes your body in ways that are hard to prepare for. Your posture shifts. Your centre of gravity moves forward. Your ligaments soften, and your spine and pelvis have to keep up with every change
For many women, this is when aches and pains that were manageable before suddenly become much harder to ignore. Lower back pain, hip discomfort, stiffness first thing in the morning — these are among the most common complaints we hear from pregnant patients.
They’re also among the most commonly dismissed. “It’s just part of pregnancy” is something our patients hear a lot. But discomfort being common doesn’t mean nothing can be done about it. Chiropractic care during pregnancy can make a real difference — and it’s gentler than most people expect.
Why Does Pregnancy Cause Back Pain?
As your body changes shape, certain joints and muscles take on more load than usual. The sacrum — the triangular bone at the base of your spine — sits right at the centre of this. It connects your spine to your pelvis, and it works hard throughout pregnancy.
When the sacrum stops moving freely, tension builds in the surrounding soft tissues and ligaments. This often shows up as lower back ache, hip discomfort, or a heaviness that gets worse as the day goes on.
The hormone relaxin also plays a role. It softens your ligaments to help your body prepare for birth — but this also makes the joints around your pelvis less stable. Your muscles then work overtime to compensate, which can lead to fatigue and pain over time.
How Can Chiropractic Help?
Chiropractic focuses on the spine, joints, and soft tissues. During pregnancy, treatment aims to keep everything moving as freely as possible — reducing restriction, easing tension, and helping your body cope with the physical demands placed on it.
At Marylebone Chiropractic Clinic, we use a specific approach called the Webster Technique. Our chiropractors hold certification through the ICPA — the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association — which sets the international standard for pregnancy chiropractic training.
The Webster Technique focuses on the sacrum and the surrounding ligaments. Adjustments are low-force and precise. There is no heavy manipulation involved. Most patients tell us it feels nothing like the chiropractic they were expecting — and that they leave feeling noticeably more settled.
What to Expect at Your Appointment
We use a pregnancy-specific treatment table with a drop-away section. This lets you lie face-down comfortably, even in your third trimester. For many patients, that alone comes as a relief.
Your first appointment always starts with a detailed case history. We want to understand your pregnancy, your symptoms, and anything your midwife or GP has flagged before we begin any treatment. We never rush this stage.
Sessions run for around 30 to 45 minutes. We check in at the start of each visit to see how you’ve been since your last appointment and adjust treatment accordingly. Some patients come in for a short course of sessions. Others prefer to come every few weeks as their body continues to change.
Is It Safe?
Chiropractic care during pregnancy is generally considered safe when a trained, GCC-registered chiropractor provides it. All our chiropractors hold full registration with the General Chiropractic Council and carry professional indemnity insurance.
We always take a thorough case history before treatment begins. If we feel that another type of care would suit you better, we will tell you honestly. We also work alongside your wider care team — and we are happy to liaise with your midwife or GP where helpful.
If you have any questions beforehand, please get in touch. We are always happy to talk things through before you book.
What About After the Birth?
Many of our patients continue to see us after delivery. The postnatal period brings its own physical demands — feeding positions, carrying your baby, disrupted sleep. These things add up quickly, and the spine doesn’t stop needing support just because the baby has arrived.
If you’d like to find out more about postnatal chiropractic care, we are happy to discuss this at your initial appointment.
Ready to Book?
If you are looking for chiropractic care during pregnancy in London, we would love to help. We see patients throughout all trimesters at our clinic at The Light Centre, Portman Square — a short walk from Bond Street and Baker Street stations.
Book your initial consultation online, or get in touch with any questions.
All chiropractors at Marylebone Chiropractic Clinic are registered with the General Chiropractic Council (GCC) and hold ICPA certification in the Webster Technique. This article is for general information only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult your midwife, GP, or obstetrician if you have any concerns about your pregnancy or suitability for treatment.
