Yes, chiropractic care during pregnancy is safe for pregnant women if your pregnancy is healthy. Gentle adjustments can ease the back, hip and pelvic pain that builds as your pregnancy grows. Nothing presses on your belly, and the force is much lighter than a typical adjustment. But Some complications, like vaginal bleeding or placenta previa, mean you should wait until your provider says you can receive chiropractic care.

What is chiropractic care during pregnancy?

Chiropractic care during pregnancy (actual term is prenatal chiropractic care) is hands-on treatment for the joints, muscles and nerves that take on extra strain while you’re pregnant. A Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) checks how your spine, pelvis and nearby joints move. Then they use gentle adjustments, soft tissue work and stretches to restore motion and ease pain.

An adjustment (spinal manipulation) is a controlled, precise push to a joint that isn’t moving as well as it should. During pregnancy, your chiropractor adapts every part of the visit to fit your changing body, from how much force they use to how you lie on the table.

Chiropractors are licensed in all 50 states, and chiropractic school includes care for pregnant patients. Some chiropractors also complete advanced prenatal training, like Webster certification through the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA).

Special Advice from Dr. Taylor Cox: For the safest and best chiropractic care, choose a chiropractor certified by the ICPA (International Chiropractic Pediatric Association), the top organization in this field.

Look for these specific certifications, from the minimum level to the highest:

Webster Certified (The Essential Minimum): This is the baseline training required for prenatal chiropractic specialization. The doctor is trained to balance your pelvis and sacrum. This removes stress on your uterus and helps your baby get into the best position for birth.

CACCP (Advanced Certified): CACCP-certified chiropractors are advanced trained for prenatal, pediatric, postpartum chiropractic. The doctors have to complete 200 hours of extra clinical classes focused deeply on pregnancy and baby care to achieve this certification.

DACCP (Diplomate): DACCP-certified chiropractors are the most highly-trained chiropractors for prenatal, pediatric, postpartum and neurological chiropractic. The highest tier of post-doctoral specialization specifically for pediatric and prenatal (perinatal) chiropractic care is the Diplomate of the Academy Council of Chiropractic Pediatrics (DACCP). It requires over 400 hours of advanced university-level classes, clinical research, and training for highly complex cases.

Tip: You can check if a doctor is actively certified by searching their name on icpa4kids.com.

Prenatal chiropractic care focuses on your body, not the fetus. It doesn’t:

Treat the fetus directly.
Replace your prenatal checkups with your obstetrician (OB) or midwife.
Push on your belly to turn the fetus.
Diagnose or manage pregnancy complications, like preeclampsia or gestational diabetes.

Your OB or midwife oversees your health and the pregnancy. Your chiropractor works alongside them on the aches and joint strain that pregnancy puts on your body.

Is chiropractic care during pregnancy safe?

Yes. Research shows that serious problems from chiropractic care during pregnancy are rare. A 2021 review of 21 studies found a single report of a serious injury, which was to the neck, and a handful of minor, short-lived cases of low back soreness. An earlier review of the research concluded that chiropractic care may be a safe and effective way to treat common back and joint pain during pregnancy.

Two things keep the care safe. Your chiropractor changes their technique for pregnancy, and your pregnancy care provider confirms that nothing about your pregnancy rules it out. A few conditions do mean you should wait, like vaginal bleeding or preterm labor. You can read about them in the dangers section below.

Is it safe in the first, second and third trimester?

Yes, chiropractic care is safe in all three trimesters of a healthy pregnancy. What changes from one trimester to the next is how your chiropractor positions you and how much force they use:

First trimester: Your belly is still small, so the care looks a lot like a typical visit. But relaxin, a hormone that loosens your ligaments, rises early and peaks near the end of the first trimester. So your chiropractor already uses lighter pressure. If nausea makes lying face down uncomfortable, they can treat you in another position.
Second trimester: As your belly grows, you’ll lie on a pregnancy table or pillows that leave room for your bump. After about 20 weeks, lying flat on your back for a long time can press on a large vein and make you feel dizzy or lightheaded. Your chiropractor will keep those positions short or prop you up.
Third trimester: Most care happens with you lying on your side or fully supported, using the lightest force. This is when back and pelvic pain usually peak, so it’s when many people start seeing a chiropractor.

Is it safe to see a chiropractor at 38 weeks pregnant?

Yes, as long as your pregnancy is healthy and your provider hasn’t told you of any health complications. There’s no week of pregnancy when chiropractic care becomes unsafe. Many people find the last few weeks are when they need it most, because the fetus is at its heaviest and the pelvis carries the most strain.

Skip your appointment and call your provider instead if you notice bleeding, leaking fluid, regular contractions or less movement from the baby. The full list of warning signs is in the dangers section below.

How is a prenatal adjustment different from a regular chiropractic care?

A prenatal adjustment uses less force, different positions and different equipment. Because relaxin loosens your ligaments, your joints move with much less pressure. A chiropractor trained in prenatal care adjusts for that in a few ways:

Pregnancy tables and pillows: Some tables have a section that drops away under your belly. Others use cushions or wedges so you can lie face down without pressure on your bump.
Drop-table adjustments: A small section of the table drops a short distance as your chiropractor applies a light push. The drop does much of the work, so less force is needed.
Side-lying and seated positions: These keep weight off your belly, especially later in pregnancy.

Most prenatal chiropractors also leave out some things during pregnancy:

Deep pressure on your belly.
X-rays, unless your provider says they’re medically necessary.
Electrical muscle stimulation and therapeutic ultrasound over your belly and lower back.
Forceful twisting of your lower back.

Can a chiropractic adjustment cause labor or miscarriage?

No. There’s no evidence that gentle prenatal adjustments cause miscarriage or start labor. The care doesn’t touch your uterus or cervix, and nothing presses deep into your belly. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), many early miscarriages happen because of a problem with the chromosomes in the fetus, not because of anything the pregnant person did.

If your pregnancy already carries a higher risk, like a history of preterm labor or unexplained bleeding, wait until your provider clears you before you start care.

Why should I have chiropractic care during pregnancy?

Pregnancy puts extra strain on your back and pelvis, and chiropractic care treats that strain without medication. About half of pregnant people have back pain at some point during pregnancy. Pelvic girdle pain, which is pain in the joints at the front and back of your pelvis, affects about 1 in 4.

Three changes work together to cause this pain:

Looser joints: Relaxin and other pregnancy hormones soften the ligaments that hold your pelvis together so it can widen for birth. But softer ligaments also make two joints less stable. Your sacroiliac (SI) joints are where your spine meets your pelvis. Your pubic symphysis is where your two pubic bones meet at the front.
A forward center of gravity: As the fetus grows, your belly pulls your weight forward. You lean back to stay balanced. That deepens the curve in your lower back and tips your pelvis forward.
Extra weight: If you started pregnancy at a typical weight, the recommended gain is 25 to 35 pounds. Much of that load rests on your lower back and pelvis.

The strain doesn’t stay in one place. Tight hip muscles can press on your sciatic nerve and send pain down your leg. Heavier breasts can pull your shoulders forward and strain your upper back and neck. You’re more likely to have back pain during pregnancy if you had it before you got pregnant or in a past pregnancy.

Your options for pain relief are also narrower while you’re pregnant. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advises avoiding NSAIDs, like ibuprofen, from 20 weeks of pregnancy on unless your provider tells you otherwise. Chiropractic care is drug-free. It aims to restore motion to stiff joints and ease tight muscles, so your spine and pelvis can share the load more evenly.

What are the benefits of chiropractic care during pregnancy?

The main benefit of chiropractic care during pregnancy is drug-free relief from back and pelvic pain. When that pain eases, everyday movements often get easier too. The benefits include:

Less pain: Relief in your lower back, hips, pelvis, upper back and neck.
Easier movement: Walking, climbing stairs, getting in and out of the car and rolling over in bed can feel less painful.
Better rest: Less pain can make it easier to find a comfortable position and stay asleep.
A more balanced pelvis: Adjustments aim to restore even motion in your SI joints and pubic symphysis. That may reduce strain on the muscles and ligaments around your pelvis.

Most of the research on hands-on care during pregnancy is small, but the results on pain point the same way. A 2015 Cochrane review found moderate-quality evidence that osteopathic manipulation reduced low back pain and helped people function better. Osteopathic manipulation is another type of hands-on manual therapy. Studies of chiropractic adjustments specifically are smaller, but they show similar results.

Can chiropractic care help sciatica and lower back pain during pregnancy?

Yes. Lower back pain is the pregnancy symptom with the most research behind chiropractic care. In one small study, 16 out of 17 pregnant women with low back pain experienced improvement with chiropractic care. On average, that took 4.5 days and fewer than two visits, and no one had side effects. In a review of 400 pregnancies, 84% of people who received chiropractic care had relief from back pain.

Sciatica is pain that shoots from your lower back or buttock down the back of your leg. During pregnancy, it’s often caused by a stiff SI joint or a tight piriformis muscle pressing on your sciatic nerve. The piriformis is a muscle deep in your buttock. Chiropractic care aims to free the joint and relax the muscle so the nerve has more room.

Can chiropractic care help pelvic girdle pain and SPD?

It may. Pelvic girdle pain (PGP) is pain anywhere in the ring of bones and joints that make up your pelvis. Symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD) is PGP centered at the front, where your pubic bones meet. You might feel it as a sharp pain when you walk, climb stairs, stand on one leg or roll over in bed.

Cleveland Clinic lists chiropractic care among the options for managing SPD. A chiropractor works to restore even motion in your SI joints and pubic symphysis. They may also suggest a pelvic support belt and show you safer ways to move, like keeping your knees together when you get out of a car. Few studies have looked at chiropractic care for PGP alone, so expect relief to vary from person to person.

Can chiropractic care help round ligament pain?

It might, but no studies have tested it. Your round ligaments are two cords that run from the front of your uterus down to your groin. As your uterus grows, they stretch. A sudden movement, like standing up quickly, coughing or sneezing, can cause a brief, sharp pain low in your belly or groin. It’s most common in the second trimester.

When your pelvis is out of balance, these ligaments may pull unevenly. A chiropractor can check your pelvic alignment and ease tension in the muscles around it, which may take some strain off the ligaments. Round ligament pain should last only a few seconds. Call your provider if belly or groin pain is constant, severe, or comes with bleeding, fever or cramping.

Which benefits of chiropractic care aren’t proven yet?

Some benefits you may read about don’t have strong research behind them yet:

Less nausea: Some people report less morning sickness during chiropractic care, but no reliable studies have confirmed it.
Shorter labor: Older studies linked chiropractic care to labors about 25% shorter for first-time parents and 31% shorter for people who’d given birth before. These studies were small, old and had no comparison group, so they can’t show that chiropractic care was the cause.
Fewer C-sections or birth interventions: There’s no good evidence yet that chiropractic care lowers your chance of a C-section, forceps or other interventions.

These outcomes are possible, but they shouldn’t be your main reason to start care. Pain relief has the strongest support.

What are the dangers of chiropractic care during pregnancy?

The risks of chiropractic care during pregnancy are low. The most common problem is mild soreness, and serious injuries are rare. The 2021 review of 21 studies found one report of a serious injury to the neck. The other reported problems were minor and short-lived.

The bigger danger is getting chiropractic care when your pregnancy needs medical attention first. That can mean a condition that rules out hands-on care, or pain that isn’t coming from your joints at all.

What are the side effects of chiropractic care during pregnancy?

The most common side effect is soreness or stiffness near the treated area, much like the feeling after a new workout. In the studies in the 2021 review, between 6% and 18% of participants reported soreness after treatment. It usually fades within a day or two.

Other side effects you may notice:

Tiredness after a visit.
A brief increase in tenderness where your chiropractor worked.
A mild headache, especially after neck adjustments.

Tell your chiropractor if soreness lasts longer than two days or gets worse instead of better. They can use less force or change your positions at your next visit.

Who shouldn’t get chiropractic care while pregnant?

Some pregnancy conditions mean you should hold off on chiropractic care until your provider says it’s safe. These include:

Vaginal bleeding: Especially when the cause hasn’t been found.
Placenta previa: The placenta covers part or all of your cervix.
Placental abruption: The placenta separates from the wall of your uterus before birth.
Ruptured membranes: Your water has broken.
Preterm labor: You’re having signs of labor before 37 weeks, or you’re at high risk for it.
Preeclampsia: High blood pressure during pregnancy, with signs that it’s affecting your organs.
Ectopic pregnancy: A pregnancy that grows outside your uterus, usually in a fallopian tube. It’s a medical emergency.
Unexplained belly or pelvic pain: Pain or cramping your provider hasn’t checked yet.

A chiropractor trained in prenatal care will ask about these conditions at your first visit. They’ll ask again as your pregnancy goes on, because your health can change from one trimester to the next.

Could my back pain be something other than a joint problem?

Yes. Back pain during pregnancy isn’t always coming from your joints or muscles. Sometimes it’s a sign of something that needs medical care:

Labor: Back pain that comes and goes in a regular rhythm, or that feels like cramping, can be contractions.
Kidney or urinary tract infection: Back or side pain with a fever, chills or burning when you pee.
Gallbladder problems: Pain under your right ribs that spreads to your back or right shoulder blade.

This is one reason to tell your provider about any new back pain before you see a chiropractor. A good chiropractor will also stop and send you back to your provider if your symptoms don’t fit a joint or muscle problem.

Call your provider right away if you have:

Vaginal bleeding or fluid leaking from your vagina.
Regular contractions before 37 weeks.
Sudden or severe belly pain.
Back pain with a fever or burning when you pee.
A severe headache, vision changes, or sudden swelling in your face or hands.
The baby moving less than usual.

What about chiropractic care and breech babies?

Chiropractors don’t turn breech babies, but some use the Webster Technique to help the pelvis move more freely. Breech means the baby is positioned bottom or feet first instead of head down. According to Cleveland Clinic, most babies settle head down by 36 weeks, and only 3% to 4% are still breech at full term.

The Webster Technique is a specific chiropractic method for checking and balancing your sacrum and pelvis during pregnancy. Your sacrum is the triangle-shaped bone at the base of your spine. Dr. Larry Webster, who founded the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA), developed it. The idea behind it is that an unbalanced pelvis can pull unevenly on the muscles and ligaments around your uterus. That uneven pull may limit how much room the baby has to move.

A Webster visit is short and gentle. It usually has two parts:

A sacral adjustment: Your chiropractor checks how your sacrum and pelvis move. Then they make a quick, light adjustment, often using a drop section of the table.
Soft tissue work: Your chiropractor uses light, gentle touch to ease tension in the round ligament near the front of your pelvis.

The Webster Technique is different from an external cephalic version (ECV). In an ECV, an obstetrician presses firmly on your belly to turn the baby by hand, usually in a hospital between 36 and 38 weeks. A chiropractor using the Webster Technique never tries to move the baby. The goal is to help your pelvis move better, not to reposition the baby directly.

Does the Webster Technique turn a breech baby?

There isn’t enough research to say. The most quoted figure comes from a 2002 survey of ICPA chiropractors. Here’s what that survey actually found:

Surveys went out to 1,047 chiropractors, and only 112 returned usable data. That’s about 11%.
The chiropractors who responded reported that 102 of their 112 breech cases turned head down. That’s 92%.
The study’s own summary gives a different figure, 82%, which is why you’ll see both numbers online.
The results came from the chiropractors’ own reports. No comparison group showed how many babies would have turned on their own.

So the Webster Technique hasn’t been proven to turn breech babies. It’s gentle and low risk, and some people find it eases pelvic discomfort late in pregnancy. If your baby is breech, talk to your provider about all of your options, including ECV. Webster care can go alongside that conversation, not replace it.

When should I start chiropractic care during pregnancy, and how often should I go?

You can start chiropractic care as soon as you know you’re pregnant, once your provider agrees. You don’t need to wait for pain. Some people start early so their chiropractor can check their spine and pelvis before the biggest changes arrive. Others come in once an ache starts. Both are fine, but it’s best not to wait until the pain makes it hard to get through your day.

How often you go depends on why you’re coming in. If you’re in pain, your chiropractor may see you once or twice a week at first, then space out your visits as you improve. In one small study, pregnant people with low back pain felt clearly better after fewer than two visits on average.

If you’re coming in to stay comfortable and keep your pelvis balanced, visits usually get closer together as your due date nears. A common pattern looks like this:

First trimester: About once a month, or as needed for early aches.
Second trimester: Every two to three weeks, as your belly grows and low back pain, hip pain and sciatica often begin.
Third trimester: Weekly, when your pelvis carries the most weight and you’re preparing for birth.

This is a typical schedule, not a rule. Your chiropractor will set a plan based on your symptoms and how your body responds, and they’ll change it if relief fades quickly between visits. If your baby is breech late in pregnancy, they may suggest weekly Webster visits while you and your provider discuss your other options.

There’s no week of pregnancy when you have to stop. If your pregnancy stays healthy, you can keep seeing your chiropractor up to delivery. Pause your care and call your provider if any of the warning signs listed above develop.

What happens at a prenatal chiropractic visit?

Your first prenatal chiropractic visit is mostly about getting to know your body and your pregnancy, so it usually takes longer than later visits. Wear loose, comfortable clothing that lets you move and lie down easily.

Here’s what to expect:

Health history: Your chiropractor asks how many weeks pregnant you are, about past pregnancies and births, and about any complications. They’ll also want your OB’s or midwife’s name. You’ll describe where it hurts, what makes it better or worse, and whether you had back pain before you got pregnant.
Physical exam: Your chiropractor checks your posture and how your spine, pelvis and hips move. They use gentle, hands-on tests and don’t take X-rays.
Care plan: Your chiropractor explains what they found, what they recommend and how often to come in. This is a good time to ask questions before treatment starts.
Treatment: If chiropractic care is right for you, you’ll get your first adjustment on a pregnancy table or with pillows supporting your belly. Your chiropractor may add soft tissue work or the Webster Technique.
Home care: You’ll leave with simple stretches, like pelvic tilts or cat-cow, along with posture tips and a sleep position to try.

During an adjustment, you may hear a pop. That’s a small bubble of gas releasing from the fluid inside the joint, and it doesn’t mean anything moved out of place. With a drop table, you’ll hear a soft clunk instead. Some adjustments make no sound at all, and they still work.

Follow-up visits are shorter. Your chiropractor checks how you responded to the last visit, asks about any changes in your pregnancy and then treats you.

What happens after a chiropractic adjustment?

Most people feel looser right away. Some also feel mild soreness for a day or two, similar to how muscles feel after a new stretch or workout. To help your body settle after a visit:

Drink water: Stay well hydrated, which you need during pregnancy anyway.
Take a short walk: Gentle movement helps more than sitting still.
Use heat or ice: Use a heating pad on a low setting for about 15 minutes at a time, or an ice pack on a sore spot. Don’t use enough heat to raise your body temperature.
Sleep on your side: Put a pillow between your knees to keep your pelvis level overnight.
Do your home stretches: They help the adjustment last between visits.

Ask your provider before you take any pain medicine for soreness.

Let your chiropractor know if soreness lasts longer than two days or gets worse instead of better. New numbness, tingling or weakness in your legs isn’t a normal reaction. Neither are any of the warning signs listed above. Call your provider right away if you notice any of these.

How do I choose a chiropractor for pregnancy?

Any licensed chiropractor can treat you while you’re pregnant, but extra prenatal training makes a real difference. It means your chiropractor knows which techniques to change, which positions to avoid and which warning signs mean a call to your provider. Look for:

A license in your state: Every chiropractor must be licensed where they practice. You can check a license through your state’s chiropractic board.
Prenatal credentials: Webster certification or other ICPA training shows extra study in pregnancy care.
The right equipment: A pregnancy table with a drop-away section, or pillows and wedges that support your belly.
A regular prenatal caseload: Someone who treats pregnant patients every week, not once in a while.
A willingness to work with your provider: Your chiropractor should be comfortable talking with your OB or midwife if a question comes up.
Enough time: Prenatal visits take longer than a quick adjustment. A rushed, high-volume office is a warning sign.

How do I find an ICPA-certified chiropractor?

The ICPA keeps a public directory of its members that you can search by location and certification. Each listing shows which credentials the chiropractor holds. From the most basic to the most advanced, they are:

ICPA member: A chiropractor with a special interest in pregnancy and family care.
Webster Certified: Trained in the Webster Technique for balancing the pelvis during pregnancy.
CACCP (Certified): Completed the ICPA’s advanced training in prenatal and pediatric care.
DACCP (Diplomate): The ICPA’s highest level of training.

If a chiropractor says they’re Webster Certified, you can confirm it in the directory. Your OB, midwife or doula may also know prenatal chiropractors they trust.

What should I ask before my first adjustment?

A short phone call can tell you a lot. Ask:

How often do you treat pregnant patients?
Are you Webster Certified, or do you have other prenatal training?
How do you change your adjustments as my pregnancy progresses?
What equipment do you use so I don’t lie on my belly?
Which conditions would make you pause my care and send me back to my provider?
What stretches or exercises can I do at home between visits?

Should I talk to my healthcare provider first?

Yes. Tell your OB or midwife before you start chiropractic care, even if your pregnancy is healthy. They know your full history and can confirm that nothing rules out hands-on care. They can also tell whether your pain is coming from your joints, which chiropractic care can help, or from something else that needs medical treatment.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) says to call your provider if back pain is severe or lasts more than two weeks. Call sooner if it comes with a fever, burning when you pee or vaginal bleeding.

Chiropractic care works alongside your prenatal care, not in place of it. Your OB or midwife manages your health and the pregnancy. Your chiropractor focuses on your joints, muscles and pelvic balance. Keep both informed. Tell your provider that you’re seeing a chiropractor, and tell your chiropractor about any changes after your checkups.

Your provider may also suggest other care for pelvic pain, like physical therapy with a therapist trained in pelvic floor care. Learn the signs of pelvic floor dysfunction and how to treat it.

Does insurance cover chiropractic care during pregnancy?

Often, but it depends on your plan. Many health plans cover chiropractic care, usually with a limit on the number of visits per year. Pregnancy doesn’t change that coverage on most plans. Call the number on your insurance card and ask whether chiropractic care is covered, how many visits are included and whether you need a referral. If your plan doesn’t cover it, ask the chiropractic office about self-pay rates.

Who provides Webster-certified chiropractic care at Holly Springs?

Dr. Taylor Cox, DC, provides Webster care at Hometown Chiropractic in Holly Springs, North Carolina. She’s the owner and lead chiropractor, and she has advanced training in caring for people through pregnancy:

Webster Certified through the ICPA
Pediatric Certified through The Pediatric Experience
Working toward her Diplomate through the ICPA, its highest level of training
Additional training in craniosacral work and bodywork
Doctor of Chiropractic from Life University

Hometown Chiropractic was voted Best Chiropractor in Holly Springs and Fuquay-Varina in 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026. She uses the Webster Technique to check and balance the pelvis at any stage of pregnancy. Learn more about prenatal and postpartum chiropractic care with Dr. Cox.

A note from Hometown Chiropractic

Pregnancy comes with aches that can make it hard to walk, sleep or get through your day. You don’t have to wait until your baby arrives to get relief. Chiropractic care is a gentle, drug-free option that’s safe for most pregnancies, and it works best alongside the care you already get from your OB or midwife.

If back, hip or pelvic pain is wearing you down, ask your provider about chiropractic care, then choose a chiropractor with prenatal training. In Holly Springs and Fuquay-Varina, Dr. Taylor Cox is Webster Certified and sees pregnant patients at every stage. Book a prenatal chiropractic visit with Dr. Cox.

Chiropractic Care During Pregnancy: Is it Safe?

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