Safe, evidence-informed chiropractic care through every trimester — relieving pregnancy pain, supporting optimal pelvic alignment, and preparing your body for a smoother birth experience.
Why Pregnancy Needs Chiropractic
Pregnancy is one of the most physiologically demanding periods your spine and pelvis will ever experience. In nine months, your body undergoes rapid postural, hormonal, and biomechanical changes that challenge every structure in your musculoskeletal system.
The growing uterus shifts your center of gravity progressively forward, increasing lumbar lordosis and placing escalating stress on the lower back facet joints and sacroiliac joints. The hormone relaxin — which peaks in the first trimester and remains elevated throughout pregnancy — loosens the ligaments of the pelvis to prepare for birth, but simultaneously reduces spinal and pelvic stability. This combination is responsible for the back pain, pelvic girdle pain, and sciatica that affect more than 50% of pregnant women at some point during gestation.
Chiropractic care during pregnancy is not simply about pain management. By maintaining proper pelvic alignment throughout gestation, Dr. Etemadi works to create the optimal biomechanical environment for your pregnancy and delivery — reducing the musculoskeletal contributors to discomfort while supporting the pelvis in the position it needs to be in when labor begins.
Every adjustment is modified for pregnancy — no pressure on the abdomen, specialized positioning, and gentle forces appropriate for each trimester
Pregnancy pillows and cutout tables allow you to lie comfortably face-down even in the third trimester — a position most pregnant women cannot achieve elsewhere
ICPA-recognized sacral analysis and adjustment specifically developed for pregnant patients — supporting optimal pelvic biomechanics for birth
Care continues after delivery — addressing the physical demands of nursing, babywearing, and the hormonal ligament looseness that persists for months postpartum
Conditions During Pregnancy
From the first trimester through the postpartum period, Dr. Etemadi provides care for the full spectrum of pregnancy-related musculoskeletal conditions.
Webster Technique
The Webster Technique is a specific chiropractic analysis and adjustment of the sacrum and pelvis, developed by Dr. Larry Webster, founder of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA) — and now recognized as the standard of care in prenatal chiropractic practice.
The technique addresses sacral subluxation and SI joint dysfunction — two of the most common causes of pregnancy-related pelvic pain and restricted pelvic movement. When the sacrum is misaligned, the muscles and ligaments attached to the uterus experience abnormal tension, which can affect how the uterus sits within the pelvis. By reducing sacral dysfunction and balancing the pelvic soft tissues, the Webster Technique creates optimal neuro-biomechanical function in the sacral-pelvic region.
A survey of ICPA members published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics found that among 112 cases of breech presentation treated with the Webster Technique, 82% reported resolution of the presenting issue. Midwives, doulas, and OB/GYNs frequently refer patients for Webster care as part of a collaborative prenatal support plan.
It is important to note: the Webster Technique does not "turn babies." It removes the musculoskeletal restrictions that may be preventing optimal fetal positioning — allowing the baby to move more freely within the uterus.
Safety During Pregnancy
Yes — when provided by a chiropractor trained in prenatal care, chiropractic is safe throughout all three trimesters and into the immediate postpartum period.
Prenatal chiropractic differs from standard care in several important ways. No adjustments are performed directly on the abdomen. Techniques are adapted to the physiological changes of pregnancy — using gentler forces, pregnancy-specific positioning, and approaches that account for ligament hypermobility. The ICPA, which has studied prenatal chiropractic care for decades, reports that adverse events are very rare and typically limited to mild temporary soreness — the same pattern seen in the general population.
No X-rays are taken during pregnancy. Dr. Etemadi's assessment relies on palpatory examination, postural analysis, and your symptom history to guide care safely. Many patients begin prenatal care in the first trimester and continue weekly or bi-weekly throughout pregnancy, transitioning to postpartum care after delivery.
If you have a high-risk pregnancy, Dr. Etemadi will communicate directly with your OB or midwife to ensure care is coordinated with your medical team. For most healthy pregnancies, physician approval is not required before beginning prenatal chiropractic care.
Your Care Timeline
Establish baseline spinal and pelvic alignment before the structural demands of pregnancy intensify. Address early hormonal ligament looseness, nausea-related postural changes, and any pre-existing spinal conditions that may be exacerbated by pregnancy.
As the uterus expands and center of gravity shifts, maintain pelvic symmetry and lumbar support. This is when back pain and sciatica typically emerge — early intervention in the second trimester typically produces faster resolution.
Focus on optimal pelvic alignment for birth preparation using the Webster Technique. Address the increasing mechanical load on all lumbar and sacral structures as the baby grows. Support fetal positioning in the final weeks before delivery.
Birth is physically demanding for the pelvis and spine. Postpartum care addresses delivery-related joint strain, the postural demands of nursing and baby-carrying, and the ongoing ligament looseness that persists for months after delivery.
Sciatica During Pregnancy
Sciatic pain — a sharp, shooting, or burning sensation that travels from the lower back or buttock down into the leg — affects a significant portion of pregnant women, particularly in the second and third trimesters.
During pregnancy, sciatic symptoms can arise from two distinct sources: direct mechanical compression of the sciatic nerve from the expanding uterus, or piriformis syndrome — where the piriformis muscle (which the sciatic nerve passes through or adjacent to) becomes tight due to pelvic instability and altered gait mechanics. Differentiating between these sources matters, because the treatment approach differs.
Dr. Etemadi examines both the lumbar spine and the sacroiliac joint to identify the primary driver of sciatic symptoms. Chiropractic adjustments to the lumbar spine and SI joint reduce nerve compression, while soft tissue release of the piriformis and hip external rotators addresses the muscular component. Most patients with pregnancy-related sciatica experience significant relief within 3–6 visits when both components are addressed.
Pelvic Girdle Pain
Pelvic girdle pain (PGP) — pain in the sacroiliac joints, pubic symphysis, or surrounding pelvic structures — affects up to 20% of pregnant women and is frequently undertreated because it is often dismissed as "normal" pregnancy discomfort.
PGP is caused by relaxin-driven ligament laxity combined with asymmetrical loading patterns that develop as the pelvis compensates for the growing uterus. The result is abnormal movement at the sacroiliac joints — causing pain with walking, climbing stairs, rolling over in bed, and prolonged standing.
Chiropractic care is one of the most effective interventions for PGP. By restoring symmetric SI joint movement and addressing the soft tissue imbalances maintaining the dysfunction, Dr. Etemadi can significantly reduce PGP symptoms — often substantially — within several weeks of care. Supporting exercises targeting the pelvic floor and hip stabilizers are prescribed to maintain the correction between visits.
FAQ
A More Comfortable Pregnancy
Dr. Etemadi is experienced in prenatal care and welcomes expectant mothers at all stages. Call to discuss your specific situation or book online.