Pregnancy is a remarkable and transformative journey—but it’s not without its physical challenges. As a mother’s body changes to support a growing baby, musculoskeletal stress, postural adaptations, and hormone-induced ligament laxity can lead to discomfort and decreased mobility. Fortunately, chiropractic care offers a safe and effective way to support the body throughout pregnancy.
📚 Is Chiropractic Care Safe During Pregnancy?
Yes—chiropractic care is considered safe during pregnancy when provided by a chiropractor trained in prenatal techniques. A 2016 systematic review reported no increased risk of adverse effects for pregnant patients receiving chiropractic adjustments (Mullen, Alcantara, & Barton, 2016).
More recently, a 2021 systematic review specifically examining spinal manipulation in pregnant and postpartum patients concluded that adverse events remain rare and generally mild, reinforcing chiropractic care as a safe option during pregnancy (Weis et al., 2021).
According to the American Pregnancy Association, chiropractic care can be a safe and supportive addition to a healthy pregnancy when performed by trained providers.
At Radiant Family Wellness, we use specialized tables, pillows, and techniques tailored to each trimester, ensuring comfort and safety at every visit.
🧠 What Is the Webster Technique?
The Webster Technique is a specific chiropractic analysis and adjustment that reduces sacral subluxation and pelvic imbalance, particularly important during pregnancy. Developed by Dr. Larry Webster and taught through the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA), this technique helps restore proper pelvic function.
A narrative review published in the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine reported an 82% success rate in resolving fetal breech presentations when the Webster Technique was used by trained chiropractors (Borggren, 2007). While it does not directly “turn the baby,” the technique supports pelvic alignment and ligament balance, allowing for optimal space within the uterus and encouraging baby to assume the best position for birth.
🌿 Benefits of Chiropractic Care During Pregnancy
Regular chiropractic care during pregnancy is associated with several benefits, both for mom and baby:
✅ Pain relief: A retrospective case series showed a significant reduction in low back and pelvic pain among pregnant women receiving chiropractic care (Lisi, 2006).
✅ Improved mobility and postural alignment, especially as the body adapts to carrying extra weight.
✅ Shorter labor times: One small-scale study suggested that women under regular chiropractic care experienced, on average, 25–31% shorter labor durations compared to those who were not (Fallon, 1991).
✅ Decreased need for pain medication and improved nervous system function—contributing to better outcomes for both mother and baby.
✅ Enhanced fetal positioning due to improved pelvic balance and decreased intrauterine constraint.
At Radiant Family Wellness, our providers are trained in the Webster Technique and prenatal chiropractic care, offering a supportive, gentle approach tailored to each stage of pregnancy.
🤰 Chiropractic + Pregnancy: A Natural Partnership
We believe in partnering with your body during pregnancy—not overriding it. Through gentle, brain-based chiropractic adjustments, we help pregnant patients feel aligned, supported, and empowered as they prepare for birth.
Whether you’re newly expecting or approaching your due date, we welcome you to explore how chiropractic care can be part of your holistic pregnancy plan. Click here to schedule an appointment or call us at (913) 322-0251 to learn more.
References
Borggren, C. L. (2007). Pregnancy and chiropractic: a narrative review of the literature. Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, 6(2), 70–74. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcme.2007.04.004
Fallon, J. M. (1991). The effect of chiropractic treatment on pregnancy and labor: a comprehensive study. Proceedings of the World Federation of Chiropractic, 24–31.
Lisi, A. J. (2006). Chiropractic spinal manipulative therapy for low back pain of pregnancy: a retrospective case series. Journal of Midwifery & Women’s Health, 51(1), e7–e10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmwh.2005.09.001
Mullen, J. E., Alcantara, J., & Barton, D. (2016). Safety of chiropractic during pregnancy: a systematic review. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 39(5), 371–386. PubMed ID: 27395793
Stuber, K. J., & Smith, D. L. (2008). Chiropractic treatment of pregnancy-related low back pain: A systematic review of the evidence. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 31(6), 447–454. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmpt.2008.07.006
Weis, C. A., Stuber, K. J., Barrett, J., & Bruno, P. (2021). Adverse events from spinal manipulation in the pregnant and postpartum periods: a systematic review of the literature. Chiropractic & Manual Therapies, 29(1), 16. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12998-021-00377-9