Chiropractic Care and Pregnancy: How It Helps with Hip and Lower Back Pain

Chiropractic Care and Pregnancy: How It Helps with Hip and Lower Back Pain

Pregnancy is an exciting time, but it can also place significant strain on the body. As the baby grows, posture shifts, ligaments loosen, and the pelvis changes shape. These often resulting in hip pain and lower back pain, two of the most common physical complaints pregnant women experience.

Lakeside Chiropractic provides a gentle and drug-free approach to managing these aches throughout each trimester. Many women seek chiropractic pregnancy care to improve mobility, reduce discomfort, and support their body as it adapts.

Why Hip and Lower Back Pain Happen During Pregnancy

1. Hormonal changes create ligament laxity The hormone relaxin softens connective tissues to prepare the pelvis for birth. While necessary, this increased laxity can also cause pelvic instability, making muscles work harder and contributing to hip and lower back pain.

2. Posture shifts as the baby grows As the abdomen expands, the centre of gravity shifts forward. This leads to:

• Increased lower-back curvature
• Added pressure on the sacroiliac joints
• Tightness in the hips and gluteal muscles

3. Pelvic misalignment Even a small pelvic rotation can change how forces distribute through the spine and hips. Research shows that pelvic girdle pain is strongly associated with altered joint mechanics during pregnancy.

How Chiropractic Care Helps During Pregnancy

1. Gentle spinal and pelvic adjustments Chiropractors use pregnancy-safe techniques to improve joint motion and reduce stress on surrounding tissues. In 2020 a systematic review found that many pregnant women reported reduced pain and improved function following chiropractic management for pregnancy-related low back pain (Weis et al. 2020).

2. Managing pelvic girdle pain Pelvic girdle pain affects up to 20–30% of pregnant women. A randomized controlled trial of chiropractic treatment for pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain showed that manual therapy may provide benefit for some women.

3. Soft-tissue therapy for muscle tension Tight hip flexors, gluteal muscles, and lower-back muscles are common in pregnancy. Soft-tissue therapy can:

• Reduce muscle spasms
• Improve flexibility
• Ease pressure on pelvic joints

4. Better posture and biomechanics Your chiropractor may recommend:

• Strengthening exercises
• Stretches for the lower back and hips
• Sleep and ergonomic advice
• Strategies to reduce pelvic strain during daily activities

A service evaluation of manual therapy in antenatal care found improvements in pain and mobility for women with pelvic girdle dysfunction after targeted treatment. Read research here.

5. Improved mobility and reduced pain Pregnant women often report:

• More comfortable walking
• Better sleep quality
• Less stiffness
• Improved pelvic stability

When Should You Seek Chiropractic Pregnancy Care?

You may benefit from treatment if you experience:

• Hip or pelvic pain during walking or standing
• Lower back pain or sciatica
• Difficulty turning in bed
• Pain when getting in/out of a car
• A feeling of pelvic “instability”

Chiropractic management can help at any stage, but earlier support often prevents symptoms from progressing.

Conclusion

Hip pain and lower back pain are extremely common during pregnancy, but they don’t have to be part of your daily routine. Chiropractic pregnancy care at Lakeside Chiropractic Clinic offers a gentle and research-supported way to improve pelvic alignment, reduce discomfort, and support your body throughout this unique journey, read more about it in this Page. If you’re experiencing pregnancy-related discomfort, Lakeside Chiropractic offers safe, personalised pregnancy care using techniques that respect your comfort and stage of pregnancy.

📍 Find us in Joondalup 📅 Book online: https://www.lakesidechiro.com.au/

While outcomes can vary, many patients find this multi-modal approach helps improve over time. If you are having back pain or any pain in general, feel free to contact us on 9300 0095 to see how we may be able to help, or visit our website for more information.

📍 Serving the Joondalup & Northern Suburbs of Perth Lakeside Chiropractic is central to the northern suburbs of Perth, located in the City of Joondalup. If you are in the surrounding suburbs such as Yanchep - 6035, Tapping - 6065, Carramar - 6031, Currambine - 6028, Wanneroo - 6065, Heathridge - 6027, Edgewater - 6027, Gnangara - 6077, Mullaloo - 6027, Padbury - 6025, Kingsley - 6026, Woodvale - 6026, Banksia Grove - 6031, or Duncraig - 6023, our team is here to assist you.