Pregnancy Chiropractic Care: Safe Treatment for Expecting Mothers in St. Paul

You’re five months pregnant, and your lower back is screaming at you. Or maybe it’s that shooting pain in your pelvis that makes it hard to walk. Your hips ache at night, and you can’t find a comfortable sleeping position. You’ve tried pillows, stretches, warm baths—nothing helps.

Someone mentioned seeing a chiropractor, but you’re hesitant. Is it safe during pregnancy? Will it hurt the baby? Can a chiropractor actually help with pregnancy-related pain, or should you just tough it out for the next few months?

Here’s what you need to know: chiropractic care during pregnancy is not only safe—it’s incredibly effective for managing the aches, pains, and discomforts that come with carrying a baby. At Twin Cities Chiropractic in St. Paul, we’ve been providing gentle, specialized prenatal care for over 20 years. Let me explain how it works and why so many expecting mothers choose chiropractic treatment.

Why Pregnancy Causes Back Pain and Discomfort

Your body goes through massive changes during pregnancy. We’re not just talking about your growing belly—your entire musculoskeletal system is adapting to accommodate your baby.

Weight gain and a shifted center of gravity put extra stress on your spine, particularly your lower back. As your belly grows forward, your back arches more to compensate. This increased lumbar curve creates muscle tension and joint stress that can cause significant pain.

Hormonal changes are a huge factor that most people don’t fully understand. Your body produces a hormone called relaxin, which loosens the ligaments in your pelvis to prepare for childbirth. But relaxin doesn’t just affect your pelvis—it loosens ligaments throughout your body, making your joints less stable. This instability can lead to misalignment and pain.

Postural changes happen gradually as your pregnancy progresses. Your shoulders round forward, your head juts out, and your pelvis tilts. These postural shifts create muscle imbalances and joint dysfunction throughout your spine.

Pelvic changes as your body prepares for delivery can cause what’s called symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD) or sacroiliac joint pain. This feels like sharp pain in your pelvis, groin, or hips, and it can make walking, climbing stairs, or even rolling over in bed incredibly painful.

The result? About 50-70% of pregnant women experience significant back pain at some point during pregnancy. And most of them are told it’s just “part of being pregnant”, and they should deal with it. That’s not true. Pregnancy back pain can be treated safely and effectively.

Is Chiropractic Care Safe During Pregnancy?

Yes. Chiropractic care is safe throughout all stages of pregnancy when performed by a chiropractor experienced in prenatal treatment.

The research backs this up: chiropractic adjustments during pregnancy are safe for you and your baby. In a normal, healthy pregnancy, there’s no medical reason you can’t get adjusted. Actually, more and more OB-GYNs and midwives are telling their patients to see a chiropractor because it’s a way to manage pain without drugs.

Dr. Scot Sorum has over 20 years of experience treating pregnant patients. He uses gentle, modified techniques specifically designed for pregnancy. These aren’t the same adjustments used on non-pregnant patients—they’re adapted to accommodate your changing body and ensure complete safety for your baby.

The adjustment table can be modified, or we can use specialized pillows that allow you to lie comfortably without putting pressure on your belly. Many pregnant women find the treatment itself incredibly relaxing.

Benefits of Chiropractic Care During Pregnancy

Relief from back pain is the most common reason pregnant women seek chiropractic care, and it’s incredibly effective. Adjustments restore proper spinal alignment, reducing the stress on your lower back and relieving pain. Many women notice significant improvement after just a few treatments.

Pelvic pain and SPD relief happen when we address pelvic misalignment and sacroiliac joint dysfunction. Gentle adjustments to the pelvis can dramatically reduce the sharp, stabbing pain that makes walking and daily activities so difficult.

Better sleep is something every pregnant woman desperately wants. When your back doesn’t hurt, and your hips aren’t aching, you can actually find comfortable sleeping positions. Many of our pregnant patients tell us that improved sleep is one of the biggest benefits they notice.

Reduced nausea in early pregnancy can sometimes improve with chiropractic care. While we can’t promise it will eliminate morning sickness, some women find that upper cervical adjustments help reduce nausea and headaches.

Optimal fetal positioning is an important benefit that many people don’t know about. When your pelvis is properly aligned, it creates more room for your baby to move into the ideal head-down position for birth. This can reduce the likelihood of breech presentation or posterior positioning.

Easier, shorter labor is supported by research. Studies have shown that women who receive regular chiropractic care during pregnancy often experience shorter labor times and less intervention during delivery. When your pelvis is properly aligned and your nervous system is functioning optimally, your body is better prepared for the birth process.

Postpartum recovery is faster for many women who received prenatal chiropractic care. Your body has been properly supported throughout pregnancy, which means less compensation and dysfunction to correct after delivery.

What Pregnancy Chiropractic Care Looks Like

Your First Prenatal Visit

When you come to Twin Cities Chiropractic for pregnancy care, Dr. Sorum will start with a detailed conversation about your pregnancy, your symptoms, and your overall health. He’ll ask about your due date, any pregnancy complications, what kind of pain you’re experiencing, and what you’ve already tried.

The physical examination is gentle and modified for pregnancy. Dr. Sorum will assess your posture, check your spinal alignment, evaluate your pelvis, and identify areas of tension or restriction. Everything is done with your comfort in mind.

Treatment begins during that first visit if appropriate. You won’t need to wait and schedule another appointment just to start feeling better.

Modified Adjustment Techniques

Prenatal chiropractic adjustments are gentler than standard adjustments. Dr. Sorum uses techniques specifically designed for pregnant women that don’t require you to lie on your stomach or twist in uncomfortable positions.

Side-lying adjustments are common during pregnancy. You’ll lie comfortably on your side with pillows supporting your belly and between your knees. This position is safe and comfortable at any stage of pregnancy.

Seated adjustments work well for upper back and neck issues. You’ll sit comfortably while Dr. Sorum performs gentle adjustments to your thoracic spine and neck.

Modified table positions using pregnancy pillows allow you to lie face down comfortably even in later pregnancy. Special pillows have a cutout for your belly, taking all pressure off your abdomen while still allowing effective treatment.

The actual adjustments are quick, gentle, and rarely uncomfortable. Most pregnant patients find them immediately relieving.

Treatment Frequency

How often you’ll need treatment depends on your symptoms and how far along you are in your pregnancy.

First trimester: If you’re experiencing early pregnancy discomfort, you might come in every 2-3 weeks or as needed for symptom relief.

Second trimester: Your body’s changing faster now, and a lot of women find that coming in every week or two helps them stay ahead of the pain. It’s about keeping your alignment in check as things shift.

Third trimester: This is when most of our pregnant patients come in weekly. Everything’s changing fast—your belly’s huge, your center of gravity is completely different, and your pelvis is getting ready for delivery. Regular adjustments during these last few months keep the pain manageable and help your body prepare for birth.

After delivery, we recommend coming in for postpartum care to help your body recover and adjust to the demands of caring for a newborn.

Specific Conditions We Treat During Pregnancy

Lower back pain from the increased lumbar curve and weight of your growing belly responds incredibly well to chiropractic care. Adjustments restore proper spinal alignment and reduce muscle tension.

Sciatica during pregnancy happens when your growing uterus puts pressure on the sciatic nerve, or when pelvic misalignment compresses the nerve. Sciatica treatment during pregnancy is gentle and effective.

Round ligament pain—those sharp pains in your lower abdomen and groin—can sometimes be reduced with pelvic adjustments and soft tissue work.

Pelvic pain and SPD, causing difficulty walking or rolling over in bed, improve with specific pelvic adjustments that restore proper alignment and stability.

Hip pain from sleeping on your side and the loosening of ligaments can be addressed with adjustments and recommendations for proper sleeping positions and pillow placement.

Upper back and neck tension from postural changes and stress responds well to gentle adjustments and massage therapy from our licensed therapist, Joy Vang.

Headaches related to neck tension and hormonal changes can often be reduced with upper cervical adjustments.

Rib pain in the third trimester, when the baby is pushing up against your ribs, can sometimes be relieved with thoracic adjustments.

When to Start Pregnancy Chiropractic Care

The short answer: whenever something hurts. There’s no wrong time to start.

First trimester: Even early on, chiropractic care can help with nausea and exhaustion. Plus, getting your alignment right before your body really starts changing means you’re starting from a better place.

The second trimester is when many women start experiencing back pain and pelvic discomfort. This is a great time to begin care before symptoms become severe.

Third-trimester care addresses the most intense physical changes and prepares your pelvis for delivery. Even if you haven’t had chiropractic care earlier in pregnancy, starting now can make a significant difference in your comfort and potentially your birth experience.

Some women even come in before getting pregnant to ensure their pelvis is properly aligned and their nervous system is functioning optimally—this is sometimes called preconception chiropractic care.

What to Expect at Twin Cities Chiropractic

Our approach to pregnancy chiropractic care is gentle, effective, and focused on your comfort and safety.

Experienced care: Dr. Sorum has been treating pregnant patients since 2001. He understands the unique needs and concerns of expecting mothers and has successfully helped hundreds of women have more comfortable pregnancies.

Gentle techniques: All adjustments are modified for pregnancy using techniques specifically designed for prenatal care. Nothing is forced or uncomfortable.

Comfortable positioning: We’ve got pregnancy pillows and ways to adjust the table so you can actually lie down comfortably, no matter how big your belly is.

Integrated approach: It’s not just adjustments. Joy Vang does prenatal massage therapy too, which means we’re working on both your alignment and all those tight, achy muscles. That combo makes a real difference.

Convenient St. Paul location: We’re right at 506 N. Lexington Parkway. When you’re pregnant, and everything feels like an effort, you don’t want to drive halfway across the Twin Cities just to get adjusted.

Flexible scheduling: We understand that pregnancy comes with unpredictable schedules and sudden discomfort. We work with you to get you in when you need care.

Safety Considerations and When Not to Seek Care

While chiropractic care is safe for most pregnancies, there are some situations where you should consult your obstetrician first:

• Vaginal bleeding or spotting
• Placenta previa or placental abruption
• Ectopic pregnancy
• Moderate to severe toxemia
• Premature rupture of membranes

If you have any high-risk pregnancy factors, talk to your OB-GYN before starting chiropractic care. In most cases, they’ll approve it, but it’s always better to have that conversation first.

Dr. Sorum will also ask about your pregnancy health during your initial consultation and will coordinate with your healthcare team if needed.

Postpartum Chiropractic Care

Your body doesn’t snap back to normal after delivery. Postpartum care is just as important as prenatal care.

After giving birth, your body needs to readjust. Your pelvis needs to stabilize, your spine needs to return to its pre-pregnancy alignment, and your muscles need to regain strength and balance.

Add to that the physical demands of caring for a newborn—constant feeding positions, carrying a car seat, bending over the crib, lack of sleep—and your body is under significant stress.

Postpartum chiropractic care helps your body recover faster, addresses any birth-related trauma or misalignment, and supports you through the physical demands of new motherhood.

We recommend coming in within the first few weeks after delivery for an evaluation and adjustment. Many new moms continue regular care during those first few months to manage the physical stress of infant care.

Real Benefits for Real Moms

We’ve treated hundreds of pregnant women over the past 20+ years, and the results speak for themselves. Women consistently tell us:

“I couldn’t walk without pain. After a few adjustments, I could move normally again.”

“I slept through the night for the first time in months after my first treatment.”

“My baby was breech at 36 weeks. After adjustments to align my pelvis, she flipped head-down.”

“My labor was so much easier and faster than my first pregnancy when I didn’t have chiropractic care.”

These aren’t miraculous cures—they’re the natural result of supporting your body’s alignment and function during pregnancy.

You Don’t Have to Just “Deal with It”

Pregnancy is challenging enough without adding unnecessary pain and discomfort. You don’t have to just accept back pain, pelvic pain, or sleepless nights as inevitable parts of pregnancy.

Safe, gentle, effective relief is available. Chiropractic care during pregnancy can help you feel better, move better, sleep better, and potentially even have an easier delivery.

If you’re pregnant and experiencing pain or discomfort, don’t wait. The sooner you address it, the better you’ll feel throughout the rest of your pregnancy.

Pregnant and dealing with back pain, pelvic pain, or discomfort? Call Twin Cities Chiropractic at 651-224-1921. Dr. Sorum provides safe, gentle prenatal chiropractic care at 506 N. Lexington Parkway in St. Paul. Over 20 years of experience helping expecting mothers feel better. Call today or book online.