The answer isn't one-size-fits-all — and getting it right could change everything about how you feel for the next nine months.
By Dr. Tonya Westerbeke, DC | Back To Health Chiropractic
You've Tried Everything. You're Still Uncomfortable. And Nobody Seems to Have Real Answers.
You're somewhere between eight and thirty weeks pregnant. Your lower back aches before noon. Your hips feel like they've shifted two inches to the left. You're sleeping on a pillow fort every night just to find a position that doesn't hurt, and your OB — who you love — tells you this is "totally normal" and to try some gentle stretching.
You have tried the stretching.
Maybe you've also tried the pregnancy pillow, the prenatal yoga class, the support belt, and a visit or two with a physical therapist who gave you exercises you can barely remember. You're doing everything "right," and still, every morning feels like a negotiation with your own body.
Here's what nobody in that doctor's office told you: your pelvis has literally changed shape. The ligaments holding your sacroiliac joints, pubic symphysis, and lumbar spine together have become hypermobile under the influence of the hormone relaxin. Your center of gravity has shifted forward. And the way your nervous system is managing pain signals, posture, and organ function has everything to do with whether you feel good — or don't.
This is exactly what chiropractic care during pregnancy is designed to address. Not as a spa treatment or a luxury add-on. As an evidence-informed strategy for keeping your musculoskeletal system, nervous system, and pelvic alignment functioning the way they're supposed to — so you feel like yourself, not a stranger in your own body.
In this post, we're breaking down the real answer to the question expecting moms across West Michigan ask us constantly: How often should I actually see a chiropractor during pregnancy?
Here's what you'll learn:
- Why "it depends" is actually the right answer — and what it depends on
- Trimester-by-trimester care recommendations, backed by research
- The specific anatomy driving your pregnancy discomfort
- When chiropractic care is not appropriate and what to watch for
- What to expect at Back To Health and how to get started
Let's get into it.
7 Things You Need to Know About Chiropractic Care Frequency During Pregnancy (Updated for 2026)
1. The Answer Depends on Your Trimester, Symptoms, and Goals
There is no universal prescription for how often a pregnant woman should see a chiropractor, and anyone who gives you a blanket "once a week" answer without assessing you first isn't giving you real care — they're giving you a schedule.
That said, here are the general frameworks our team at Back To Health uses as a starting point:
First Trimester (Weeks 1–13): For women who are not yet symptomatic, care frequency is typically lower — often once every 3–4 weeks. The focus is on establishing a baseline assessment of pelvic alignment, sacral positioning, and spinal curvature before the body's biomechanics change significantly. For women who come in already experiencing low back pain, sacroiliac (SI) joint dysfunction, or pubic symphysis discomfort, care may begin at 2–3 times per week for acute presentations to address existing dysfunction, reduce inflammation, and establish a strong foundation before symptoms have a chance to compound.
Second Trimester (Weeks 14–27): This is when most women experience the most noticeable postural shifts. The uterus moves out of the pelvic bowl and into the abdominal cavity, the lumbar lordosis (the inward curve of the lower back) typically increases, and relaxin levels remain elevated. For asymptomatic women, bi-weekly or monthly visits work well. For women experiencing round ligament pain, SI joint pain, or pelvic girdle discomfort, weekly visits are common.
Third Trimester (Weeks 28–40): The third trimester is where frequency often increases — not because something is "wrong," but because this is when consistent care pays the biggest dividends. The baby's position, the dramatic shift in center of gravity, and the preparation for labor all create significant demand on the lumbar spine, sacrum, and pelvic floor. Weekly care is common for both symptomatic and asymptomatic women — keeping the pelvis properly aligned in these final weeks supports the nervous system, optimizes the baby's positioning, and can contribute to an easier, more efficient delivery for both mom and baby.
The bottom line: A thorough assessment by a qualified chiropractor is the only way to determine the right frequency for your pregnancy. At Back To Health, we don't hand you a schedule — we build one around your body, your symptoms, and your goals.
2. Relaxin Is Doing Something Remarkable to Your Joints — and Your Chiropractor Needs to Know That
One of the most important physiological facts about pregnancy that affects chiropractic care is the role of the hormone relaxin.
Relaxin is produced primarily by the corpus luteum in the first trimester and by the placenta as pregnancy progresses. Its job is to soften the fibrocartilaginous ligaments of the pelvis — particularly the pubic symphysis and the posterior sacroiliac ligaments — to allow the birth canal to widen for delivery. This is an elegant, necessary process. It also means your ligamentous stability is temporarily reduced throughout pregnancy.
A 2020 review published in the Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy confirmed that relaxin-induced ligament laxity significantly increases the mechanical load on the lumbar facet joints and the sacroiliac joints, contributing to the 50–70% of pregnant women who report low back or pelvic pain at some point during their pregnancy.
This is not a reason to avoid chiropractic care — it's a reason to work with a chiropractor who understands it. At Back To Health, our team uses modified, gentle techniques that account for ligamentous laxity, and our tables are equipped with pregnancy-specific positioning to allow you to lie comfortably in the prone position well into your third trimester.
3. Pelvic Alignment Isn't Just About Comfort — It's About the Baby's Position (Updated for 2026)
Here is something that changes the conversation for a lot of expecting moms: chiropractic care during pregnancy isn't only about your pain. It's also about creating the optimal environment for your baby's positioning leading up to delivery.
The Webster Technique is a specific chiropractic analysis and adjustment designed to address sacral subluxation (misalignment of the sacrum relative to the ilium) and reduce tension in the round ligament. When the sacrum is misaligned, it can create intrauterine constraint — a reduction in the space available for the baby to move freely. This has implications for fetal positioning, particularly in the third trimester when a head-down (vertex) position is ideal for vaginal delivery.
A 2012 study published in the Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health reviewed 26 cases in which the Webster Technique was applied to women with a breech or malpositioned fetus. In 22 of the 26 cases, the baby moved to a vertex position following chiropractic care. While this is not a guarantee, the existing body of evidence — combined with the safety profile of the Webster Technique when applied by a trained provider — makes it a worthwhile part of third-trimester care for many expecting mothers.
For women using chiropractic care specifically to support optimal fetal positioning, weekly visits beginning around week 32–34 are most commonly recommended.
4. Round Ligament Pain, SI Joint Dysfunction, and Sciatica Are Three Different Problems — and They Need Different Approaches
One of the most common frustrations we hear from expecting moms is that their pain has been lumped into a single category of "pregnancy discomfort." But the location, quality, and cause of your discomfort matters — and distinguishing between the major sources of pregnancy-related pain helps determine how often you need care and what kind.
Round Ligament Pain: Sharp, stabbing pain in the lower abdomen or groin that typically worsens with sudden movement. This is caused by tension in the round ligaments, which run from the anterior uterus to the inguinal region. Soft tissue work and gentle adjustments targeting uterine ligament tension (as in the Webster protocol) are most helpful. This typically responds well with 1–2 visits per week during symptomatic periods.
Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction: Deep, aching pain in one or both buttocks, sometimes radiating into the thigh.
The SI joint — where the sacrum meets the ilium — is particularly vulnerable during pregnancy due to relaxin-related laxity. Research published in Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica (2018) found that SI joint dysfunction is the most common cause of pelvic girdle pain in pregnancy, affecting up to 45% of pregnant women. Targeted adjustments to the SI joint, combined with soft tissue work to the piriformis and gluteal muscles, provide significant relief. Frequency: weekly to bi-weekly depending on severity.
Pregnancy-Related Sciatica: True sciatic nerve irritation during pregnancy typically involves radiating pain, numbness, or tingling from the lower back down the back of the leg, following the path of the sciatic nerve through the piriformis muscle and into the posterior thigh. As the uterus expands, increased pressure on the lumbar nerve roots (particularly L4–S1) or piriformis muscle spasm can compress the sciatic nerve. Chiropractic adjustments to decompress the lumbar spine, combined with soft tissue therapy to the piriformis and tensor fasciae latae, are highly effective. For acute sciatica during pregnancy, 2–3 visits per week for the first 2–3 weeks, tapering to weekly maintenance, is a common starting point.
The takeaway: understanding what is causing your discomfort leads to a more targeted care plan — and better results.
5. Research Supports Chiropractic Care for Pregnancy Pain — Here's What the Evidence Actually Says (Updated for 2026)
Let's be honest: the internet is full of vague claims about chiropractic and pregnancy. We believe you deserve the actual research.
Low Back Pain During Pregnancy: A 2018 systematic review published in Chiropractic & Manual Therapies evaluated 26 studies on manual therapy for pregnancy-related low back pain and pelvic girdle pain. The review found that spinal manipulation and mobilization were associated with significant reductions in pain intensity and functional disability, with a favorable safety profile when performed by trained practitioners.
Reducing Labor Duration: A frequently cited retrospective study found that women who received chiropractic care throughout pregnancy had, on average, 24% shorter labor times for first-time mothers and 33% shorter labor times for women who had given birth previously. While larger randomized controlled trials are still needed, these findings are consistent with the clinical observation that improved pelvic mobility and fetal positioning may contribute to more efficient labor.
Safety: A 2014 review in The Journal of Chiropractic Medicine found no serious adverse events in pregnant patients receiving chiropractic adjustments when performed by trained clinicians using pregnancy-appropriate techniques. Minor soreness post-adjustment, similar to what non-pregnant patients may experience, was the most commonly reported side effect.
The research supports what we see clinically every day at Back To Health: safe, consistent chiropractic care throughout pregnancy is not only reasonable — for many women, it's one of the most impactful things they can do for their comfort and birth preparation.
6. Chiropractic Care During Pregnancy Is About More Than Pain Relief
Pain is often what brings expecting moms through our doors. But what keeps them coming back — and what they tell other pregnant women about — is everything else that improves.
Sleep quality. When your pelvis and lumbar spine are properly aligned, you spend less of the night repositioning and more of it actually sleeping. For women in the second and third trimester, this is not a small thing.
Nervous system regulation. The spinal cord and nerve roots that emerge from the lumbar and sacral spine don't just control your legs. They innervate the uterus, bladder, and lower abdominal organs. When spinal alignment is optimized, the nervous system functions with less interference — which can affect everything from digestion to energy levels.
Reduced reliance on pain medication. Acetaminophen has long been considered the "safe" over-the-counter pain option during pregnancy. But a 2021 review in Nature Reviews Endocrinology raised concern that prolonged prenatal acetaminophen exposure may be associated with adverse effects on fetal neurodevelopment. Chiropractic care offers a drug-free path to pain management that doesn't carry those concerns.
Mental and emotional wellbeing. Chronic pain takes a toll on mood, patience, and the experience of pregnancy itself. When you feel good in your body, the whole experience changes. We've watched patients go from dreading getting out of bed to enjoying the final weeks of their pregnancies — and that matters.
7. Starting Care Early Is Almost Always Better Than Starting Late
We see a pattern in our offices across Zeeland, Portage, and Muskegon: women often come in for the first time at 34 or 36 weeks, dealing with pain that has been building for months. We can absolutely help at that stage — and we do — but the outcomes are more dramatic when care begins earlier.
Starting in the first trimester establishes a baseline and allows us to address any existing dysfunction before it compounds. Many women have pre-existing sacral misalignments, postural habits, or prior injuries (that old car accident, the fall you had a few years ago) that become symptomatic during pregnancy because the body's compensatory mechanisms are now being stretched to their limit.
Starting in the second trimester is still very effective and aligns well with the period of most significant biomechanical change.
Starting in the third trimester is better than not starting at all, but leaves less runway for the gradual, cumulative benefits of consistent care.
If you're pregnant — at any stage — the best time to get assessed is now.
When to Seek Medical Attention: Important Safety Information
Chiropractic care is safe and well-tolerated during low-risk pregnancies. However, there are certain situations in which you should contact your OB, midwife, or go to the emergency room rather than — or in addition to — seeing a chiropractor:
- Vaginal bleeding at any stage of pregnancy
- Sudden, severe abdominal pain that does not resolve
- Preterm labor symptoms including regular contractions before 37 weeks
- Placenta previa (a low-lying placenta confirmed by ultrasound)
- Preeclampsia symptoms including sudden swelling, severe headache, visual changes, or upper abdominal pain
- Placental abruption ( abdominal pain with bleeding)
- Ectopic pregnancy symptoms in early pregnancy
- Any condition your OB has classified as high-risk
At Back To Health, we always coordinate care with your OB or midwife. We are one part of your healthcare team, not a replacement for any other part. If there is ever a question about whether chiropractic care is appropriate given a specific pregnancy complication, we will help you get clarity from the right provider.
Frequently Asked Questions: Chiropractic Care During Pregnancy
Is chiropractic care safe during the first trimester? Yes, for low-risk pregnancies, chiropractic care is considered safe throughout all three trimesters. Our team uses modified techniques and positioning appropriate for each stage of pregnancy. We always recommend informing your OB or midwife that you are receiving chiropractic care.
Can chiropractic adjustments cause miscarriage? There is no evidence in the medical or chiropractic literature that chiropractic adjustments cause miscarriage. Our team uses gentle, targeted techniques during pregnancy and does not apply high-force adjustments to the uterus or abdomen. If you have concerns about miscarriage risk due to a history of pregnancy loss, please discuss them with both your OB and our team so we can tailor your care accordingly.
Do I need a referral from my OB to see a chiropractor during pregnancy? In Michigan, you do not need a physician referral to see a chiropractor. However, we encourage open communication between all members of your healthcare team. Many OBs and midwives in West Michigan actively recommend chiropractic care to their patients — and we're happy to coordinate with your provider directly.
Will chiropractic care help if my baby is breech? The Webster Technique is a gentle, sacral-focused chiropractic adjustment that may help reduce intrauterine constraint and create more space for the baby to move. While it is not a guarantee of fetal repositioning, the published evidence is encouraging, and many patients have seen positive results. If you have been told your baby is breech at 32 weeks or later, we recommend scheduling as soon as possible to allow adequate time for care.
What should I expect at my first prenatal chiropractic appointment at Back To Health? Your first visit includes a thorough health history review, postural assessment, orthopedic and neurological testing, and a conversation about your pregnancy experience, symptoms, and goals. We'll develop a care plan specific to your trimester and needs. Our tables are pregnancy-equipped, and you will be able to lie comfortably on your side or in a supported position at any stage of pregnancy.
Ready to Feel Like Yourself Again?
Pregnancy is one of the most powerful experiences of your life. You deserve to feel as good as possible through every stage of it — not just surviving, but genuinely thriving.
The team at Back To Health Chiropractic has extensive experience working with expecting mothers throughout West Michigan. Whether you're in your first trimester looking to get ahead of discomfort, or in your third trimester dealing with significant pelvic pain, we're here to build a care plan that fits where you are.
Schedule your prenatal chiropractic consultation today: 👉 Book Online at bthclinics.com/locations
Or call the location nearest you:
Zeeland: 616.546.3500
Portage: 269.345.2273
Muskegon: 231.830.1111
Dr. Tonya Westerbeke
TAGS
RECENT POSTS