Can Chiropractic Help During Pregnancy?
Pregnancy changes your body in ways that can be hard to prepare for. Your posture shifts, your centre of gravity moves forward, your ligaments soften, and your spine and pelvis have to adapt — week by week — to support a growing baby. For a lot of women, this is when aches and pains that were manageable before suddenly become a lot harder to live with.
Back pain during pregnancy is extremely common. Some estimates suggest that more than half of pregnant women experience it at some point, and yet it’s often dismissed as simply “part of it.” We’d gently push back on that. Discomfort is common — but that doesn’t mean nothing can be done.
What kind of issues do we see?
The patients who come to us during pregnancy most often describe lower back ache, discomfort across the hips, or a general sense of heaviness and stiffness that gets worse as the day goes on. Sitting for long periods, sleeping positions, and everyday tasks that were previously no bother — like getting up from a chair or rolling over in bed — can start to feel like a much bigger effort.
These kinds of symptoms can relate to how the spine, sacrum, and surrounding soft tissues are coping with the physical demands of pregnancy. As the body changes shape, certain joints and muscles take on more load than they’re used to, and this can lead to restriction and discomfort over time.
How can chiropractic help?
Chiropractic care during pregnancy focuses on the musculoskeletal system — the spine, joints, and soft tissues — to help keep everything moving as well as possible. Treatment is gentle, adapted entirely to pregnancy, and takes into account where you are in your trimesters.
At Marylebone Chiropractic Clinic, we use a specific approach called the Webster Technique for our pregnant patients. Developed in the 1970s and now taught internationally through the ICPA (International Chiropractic Pediatric Association), it’s a low-force method that focuses on the sacrum and the surrounding ligaments and soft tissues. Think of the sacrum as the keystone at the base of your spine — when it’s not moving freely, it can contribute to a lot of the discomfort that builds up through pregnancy.
Our chiropractors are ICPA-certified, which means they’ve completed specific training in this technique beyond their standard chiropractic qualification.
What does treatment actually feel like?
We know that getting comfortable on a treatment table during pregnancy is its own challenge — particularly in the second and third trimester. We use a pregnancy-specific table with a drop-away section that allows you to lie face-down comfortably, which most patients find a genuine relief in itself.
Treatment is gentle and precise. There’s no heavy manipulation — adjustments to the sacrum are low-force, and we also work on the soft tissues and ligaments of the surrounding area. Many patients tell us they were expecting something quite intense and are pleasantly surprised by how settled and relaxed they feel during and after a session.
Your first appointment will always start with a thorough case history. We want to understand your full picture — how your pregnancy is progressing, any concerns your midwife or consultant has flagged, and what your day-to-day symptoms are — before any treatment begins. It’s not unusual for patients to come in from the second trimester onwards, but we do see women at all stages.
Is it safe?
Chiropractic care during pregnancy is generally considered safe when provided by a trained, registered chiropractor. All of our chiropractors are registered with the General Chiropractic Council (GCC) and hold full professional indemnity insurance. We always take a detailed case history at the first appointment and will be transparent with you if we feel that a different kind of support would be more appropriate for your situation.
We’re also very happy to communicate with your midwife or GP if needed. We see ourselves as part of your wider care team, and good communication between practitioners is always in the best interest of our patients.
A few things patients often ask us
“How many sessions will I need?” This really does vary from person to person. Some patients feel a significant improvement within two or three sessions; others find it more useful to come in every few weeks as a way of keeping on top of things as their body continues to change. We’ll always give you an honest assessment after the first session.
“Can I come back after the birth?” Absolutely. The postpartum period brings its own physical demands — feeding positions, carrying, sleep deprivation — and many of our patients continue to see us in the weeks after delivery.
Getting started
If you’re pregnant and experiencing back pain, hip discomfort, or general aches that are getting in the way of daily life, it’s worth having a conversation with us. You can book an initial consultation at our Marylebone clinic — we’re based at The Light Centre, Portman Square, a short walk from Bond Street and Baker Street stations.
Marylebone Chiropractic Clinic is home to GCC-registered chiropractors holding ICPA certification in the Webster Technique. This article is intended for general information only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your midwife, GP, or obstetrician if you have any concerns about your pregnancy or your suitability for treatment.
