Pregnant in Elizabeth? How Prenatal Chiropractic Care Can Help

Your body changes fast during pregnancy. Your center of gravity shifts forward. Your pelvis loosens. Your lower back takes on weight it is not used to. That is why over 50% of pregnant women experience back pain. The good news: chiropractic care is safe during pregnancy and effective at relieving it.

Why Pregnancy Causes Back Pain

During pregnancy, your body releases a hormone called relaxin. It loosens your ligaments to prepare for delivery. The side effect: your joints become less stable, especially in the pelvis and lower back. Add 25 to 35 pounds of extra weight shifting your center of gravity forward, and your spine has to work overtime to keep you balanced.

The result is lower back pain, pelvic pain, sciatica, hip pain, and sometimes headaches from the postural changes. Most OBs recommend acetaminophen as the only safe pain medication during pregnancy. But that does not fix the structural cause.

How Chiropractic Helps

Chiropractic adjustments during pregnancy focus on keeping the pelvis and lower spine aligned as your body changes. Dr. Monica Gonzalez uses modified techniques that are gentle and safe for every trimester. We use special tables and pillows that allow you to lie face down comfortably even with a growing belly.

Regular adjustments during pregnancy can reduce lower back pain, improve pelvic alignment for an easier delivery, decrease labor and delivery time (studies show an average of 25% shorter labor for first-time mothers who received chiropractic care), and reduce the need for pain intervention during birth.

The Webster Technique

This is a specific chiropractic technique for the sacrum (the triangle-shaped bone at the base of your spine). When the sacrum is misaligned, it can restrict the space in your pelvis. The Webster Technique corrects that alignment, giving your baby more room to move into the proper head-down position. It is commonly used in the third trimester when breech presentation is a concern.

What About Sciatica During Pregnancy

Sciatica is common in the third trimester. The baby's weight puts pressure on the sciatic nerve, and the loosened ligaments allow the spine to shift more than usual. Chiropractic treatment for sciatica during pregnancy uses gentle, low-force techniques. Most pregnant patients with sciatica see significant improvement within 3 to 4 visits.

Is It Safe? What the Evidence Says

The American Pregnancy Association considers chiropractic care safe throughout pregnancy. There are no known contraindications for pregnant patients without high-risk conditions. Dr. Gonzalez has treated pregnant patients at Pain Center of Morris for over 31 years. She coordinates with your OB when needed and adjusts her techniques as your pregnancy progresses.

When to Start

There is no wrong time. Some patients come in during the first trimester for alignment before the big changes start. Most start in the second trimester when back pain typically kicks in. And some come in the third trimester specifically for the Webster Technique or sciatica relief. The earlier you start, the more comfortable your pregnancy will be.

Call us at (908) 469-4070 to schedule. We are at 426 Morris Ave in Elizabeth, NJ. Same-day appointments available. Our entire staff speaks Spanish.