Pregnancy and Chiropractic Care: Benefits for Expectant Mothers in Denver

Pregnancy is no walk in the park (unless you’re strolling Denver’s City Park, with the mountain views). Grow­ing a baby is rewarding — and hard on the body. Many expectant moms report lower back pain, pelvic strain, and even sciatica as their bodies adapt to carrying extra weight. Roughly half of all pregnant women experience significant back pain.

The culprit is a perfect storm of factors: your baby bump shifts your center of gravity forward and straining the lumbar spine. A hormone called relaxin is produced during pregnancy, and its job is to loosen pelvic ligaments. That means once steady joints can become unstable, leading to aches or sharp jolts in the pelvis and hips. In practical terms, many expectant moms find their usual comfort routine thrown out the window.

At The View Chiropractic in Northeast Denver, we understand that mothers don’t need more stress on a tight schedule — they need relief. Gentle chiropractic care is a non-invasive, drug-free way to address these common pregnancy discomforts.

In this post, we’ll explore how prenatal chiropractic adjustments can ease pregnancy discomfort (yes, even sciatica and pelvic pain), support healthier fetal positioning with the application of the Webster Technique, and prepare your body for an easier labor. We’ll also cover safety, because pregnant women are rightly cautious about any treatment, and why Denver’s Park Hill and Central Park communities trust Dr. Steffens’ expertise. By the end, you’ll see why chiropractic care with us might be just the support your body needs on this journey.

The Physical Demands of Pregnancy and Their Impact on the Spine

Expecting a baby can feel like your body is in overdrive. The average weight gain during pregnancy ranges from 25-40 pounds. The extra weight of the growing baby shifts your torso forward, and unless you spontaneously develop supermodel posture, your lower back often takes the hit. At the same time, your body produces the hormone relaxin, which loosens ligaments in the pelvis to accommodate the baby. This is great news for your future birth canal, but it can make your pelvis and sacroiliac joints unusually mobile and irritable. In plain terms, many pregnant women feel their hip and tailbone area become achy, stiff, or even unstable as these ligaments stretch. Add into the mix less time to exercise (Denver commutes are real) and the usual muscle tightness, and sciatic nerve pain can pop up too. When the baby and uterus press on nerve roots, or tight gluteal muscles pinch the nerves, you might feel tingling or sharp pain radiating down your leg.

For clarity, pregnant patients often describe the most common discomforts as:

• Lower Back Pain: The forward shift in weight creates extra curve and compression in the lumbar spine called hyperlordosis. Imagine carrying a bowling ball on your belly for months — it’s going to make your back muscles and joints complain.

• Pelvic Discomfort: With relaxin hormone in the mix, the ligaments around your pelvis loosen. This instability can cause groin or hip pain, especially when walking, turning over in bed, or getting up from a chair.

• Sciatica (Leg Pain): When the sciatic nerve is squeezed by your expanding uterus or tight muscles, you might feel numbness or stabbing pain down one or both legs. Many moms notice this after long shifts at work or extended car rides.

These pains are not “all in your head”. They’re well-documented side effects of the physical changes of pregnancy. Low back pain affects up to 70% of expecting women, according to a recent study published by the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology Canada. ¹ The good news is, you don’t have to just grin and bear it. Chiropractic care offers natural relief targeted to these issues. By gently realigning the spine and pelvis, we can reduce nerve irritation and muscle tension, helping you move more comfortably through your day.

Benefits of Chiropractic Care during Pregnancy

Chiropractors specialize in the musculoskeletal system — bones, muscles, and nerves — so it stands to reason we can help with pregnancy aches. Prenatal chiropractic care uses gentle, pregnancy-safe adjustments (think gentle pressure and special cushions rather than quick twists) to improve spinal and pelvic alignment. The goal is twofold: ease your immediate pain and support better biomechanics as your body changes.

Here’s what chiropractic care can do during pregnancy:

• Alleviate Back and Hip Pain: 

The most immediate benefit many pregnant patients report is pain relief. Adjustments can restore proper alignment and reduce stress on the lumbar spine and pelvic joints. One case series of 17 pregnant women with low back pain reported significant pain reduction after chiropractic care, with no adverse effects observed.²  In practice, many of our Denver moms notice that their nagging ache or stabbing pain gradually subsides over a few visits.

• Promote Pelvic Stability:

Perhaps the most significant benefit of prenatal chiropractic care is pelvic alignment. A balanced pelvis is more comfortable and provides a better environment for the baby. When misaligned, it can restrict the space available for fetal development and potentially complicate delivery. Regular chiropractic adjustments can help keep your pelvis aligned, minimizing the “waddling” feeling.

• Improve Posture and Balance:

As your belly grows, your posture naturally shifts. Chiropractic care helps you maintain an optimal spinal curve and balance, which can prevent strain on your mid and upper back, a common issue in the third trimester.

• Improved Nervous System Function:

The central nervous system- your brain and your spinal cord – controls and coordinates every function in your body. During pregnancy, your nervous system manages not only your increased physiological demands but also facilitates the development of your baby’s system. Spinal misalignments can create interference in this communication network. By taking care of your spinal alignment, chiropractic care helps ensure optimal nervous system function and fetal development.

• Ease Sciatica Symptoms: 

By taking pressure off the irritated nerves, chiropractic adjustments often reduce sciatica-related leg pain or numbness. We also recommend stretches and exercises to maintain good muscle flexibility between visits.

Clients often say the relief feels like a weight lifted off their shoulders (or hips). It won’t magically erase some physical discomfort that comes with pregnancy, but many Denver mothers find they can stay more active and sleep better with fewer pains after chiropractic treatment.

Chiropractic for Easier Labor and Optimal Baby Position

Aside from easing aches, one of the coolest things chiropractic can help with is your body’s preparation for childbirth. A well-aligned pelvis and spine may make labor smoother in two ways: by providing optimal baby positioning and potentially shortening labor. The key player here is the Webster Technique, a specific chiropractic adjustment developed for pregnant women.

Webster Technique for Baby Positioning

Dr. Larry Webster, founder of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA), developed a gentle method to balance the pelvis. It doesn’t force a baby to turn, but by freeing up tight ligaments and aligning the pelvis, it makes it easier for a breech or transverse presentation to turn head-down naturally into a vertex position. Studies on the Webster Technique show promising results: one report found an 82% success rate in turning breech babies to the correct position.³  Many of our patients have noticed that after a few Webster adjustments, their ultrasounds or midwifery check-ups show the baby positioned correctly for birth. This can be especially reassuring if you’re approaching the third trimester and hoping to avoid a C-section.

• Shorter, Easier Labor:

There’s also evidence that prenatal chiropractic care may lead to shorter labor times. A study from Dr. Joan Fallon showed that women who saw a chiropractor throughout pregnancy had notably shorter labors. First-time moms in the study had an average of 24% shorter labor, while women who’d given birth before saw about a 39% reduction in labor duration.⁴ That’s no joke — it could mean hours less of hard labor. The theory is that when the pelvis is balanced and the nerves to the uterus are unrestricted, the body can handle contractions more efficiently, and the baby can descend more easily.

• Balanced Pelvis = Smooth Delivery:

More generally, chiropractic care helps eliminate extra tension in the pelvic muscles and ligaments. This balanced state enhances “optimal fetal positioning,” which means the baby has the space to move into the best birthing position.

Chiropractic care throughout pregnancy balances her pelvis, eliminating undue tension in muscles and ligaments and enhancing optimal fetal positioning. -Jeanne Ohm, Executive Director, ICPA

In short, chiropractic care doesn’t “turn babies” by force or guarantee a textbook labor (no provider can promise that). But it supports your body’s natural ability to do its thing. Patients often say that after consistent care, they feel physically ready when birthing day finally comes. And a successful turn or easier contraction is always worth a high-five in our Denver office.

Prenatal Chiropractic: Safety and Research

Safety concerns are understandably top of mind for expecting mothers considering chiropractic care. Our prenatal chiropractic care involves modified approaches to accommodate a pregnant body.

• Specialized pillows for the first and second trimesters that support proper pelvic adjustments and allow you to lie belly-down without pressure on the bump.

• Adjustment techniques are more gentle, focusing on the pelvis and spine without any twisting of the abdomen.

• Tools, such as the activator, are used for localized adjustments.

Pregnancy raises the bar for safety, and rightly so. Expectant moms in Denver, and anywhere, are careful about what goes into or onto their bodies.

Here’s the bottom line: prenatal chiropractic care — in the hands of a trained and qualified practitioner — is considered very safe. The American Pregnancy Association recognizes chiropractic care as safe and beneficial during pregnancy.

Often, the safest approach is personalized care. We take the time to understand your specific conditions. For instance, if your pubic bone hurts when you walk, the adjustments can target the sacroiliac joint to ease that discomfort. Or, if you’re past mid-pregnancy, we often use a side-lying position on a drop table to avoid any pressure on your belly. All these techniques help ensure you and your baby stay safe and comfortable.

Multiple studies report that women undergoing chiropractic spinal manipulation in pregnancy had relief from pain with no adverse events. For example, a case series of 17 pregnant women found significant pain reduction and explicitly noted no complications from the treatment. ²

Of course, we always take precautions. At The View Chiropractic, we do a thorough examination before starting care. If you have any specific complications like preeclampsia or a history of certain injuries, we coordinate with your obstetrician. However, for most low-risk pregnancies, gentle chiropractic care is a welcome complement to prenatal care. Moms often tell us that thanks to their adjustments, they needed fewer painkillers or other interventions because their pains were managed more naturally.

Health tip: Always let your chiropractor know you’re pregnant and how far along. A good prenatal chiropractor will tailor each session — from table adjustments to stretches — to keep you comfortable and safe. And as always, keep open communication with your OB or midwife, since teamwork is the best path to a healthy pregnancy.

Why Park Hill & Central Park Moms Trust The View Chiropractic

You might wonder, of all Denver chiropractors, why Park Hill and Central Park mothers come to The View Chiropractic. The answer is partly community trust and partly specialized care. Dr. John and his wife Szabina founded this practice in 2010, and they’ve been serving Northeast Denver families ever since. Being local, they understand the lifestyle here: the active routines, the return-to-work schedules, and, yes, the craving for a view of the mountains even in the middle of adjustments (hence the practice name).

Here’s what sets us apart for expecting moms in NE Denver:

• Community Roots: We’ve been a fixture in Central Park, Park Hill and surrounding areas for over a decade. Many Park Hill and Central Park families have grown up with our practice – even bringing in siblings as newborns. There’s something comforting about knowing your chiropractor also volunteers at local schools or participates in neighborhood events. It makes pregnancy care feel personal, not like a chain-store conveyor belt.

• Family-Owned, Family-Focused: This is a husband-and-wife practice. We understand families because we are one. Our office has a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere (and yes, we love hearing about nursery paint colors or potential baby names). Moms will never feel judged for nervous questions. We have went through it all as parents ourselves.

• Specialized Prenatal Environment: We use pregnancy pillows, pregnancy-specific tables, and gentle adjustment techniques, so moms can actually relax on the table. Also, we have resource referrals for everything from doulas to birthing centers in Denver, and even parenting books. Your comfort is the priority, even if that means stopping to take a sip of water mid-adjustment.

• Accessible Location: Our clinic at Quebec & 35th  is super convenient for Park Hill and Central Park residents. It’s a straight shot up I-70 or a nice walk from the shops on 29th Street. With the close proximity to I-70 and 270 highways, our clinic is a quick drive from many of the neighboring towns.

• Proven Results: Word of mouth travels fast. When moms find relief from sciatica or pelvic pain here, they tell their friends at the playground or prenatal pilates class. We have plenty of five-star reviews praising the care and attention they received.

In a nutshell, Denver moms choose us because we get it. We know pregnancy isn’t just a medical condition, it’s a season of life. Our view isn’t just the skyline out the window; it’s a vision of healthier families and smoother pregnancies in our own neighborhood. Whether it’s your first baby or your fourth, our team at The View Chiropractic offers supportive and educated care.

Dr. John Steffens: 18 Years of Experience and Specialized Training

You can’t talk about prenatal chiropractic at The View Chiropractic without meeting Dr. John Steffens. Think of him as the Mae West of maternity spines – no, scratch that, more like the Obi-Wan of obstetric alignment (minus the lightsaber). Jokes aside, Dr. John brings nearly two decades of experience to the table. After 18 years of practice, he’s seen it all, from morning sickness to breech babies and to the proud parents coming for a visit when their baby is born.

But years alone don’t make expertise. Dr. John has gone well beyond basic chiropractic school: he’s a certified Webster Technique practitioner. The Webster Technique was literally created for pregnant moms, and Dr. John has mastered it. That certification means he’s trained specifically to address pelvic imbalances and optimal fetal positioning, an essential knowledge to care for pregnant patients.

On top of that, Dr. John completed a 2-year post-doctoral training program with the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association. This intensive program focused on prenatal and pediatric chiropractic care. He even holds advanced credentials in pediatric chiropractic, meaning he understands tiny bodies and developing spines from birth onward. Moreover, he’s one of the few Denver chiropractors with that level of pediatric experience, which gives local families confidence from day one.

In practice, all that means expecting moms are in skilled hands! He combines gentle adjustments (using neurologically-based techniques and muscle testing) with state-of-the-art tools like the INSIGHT scans to pinpoint exactly where tension is coming from. But it’s not all science, Dr. John’s own experience as a husband and father keeps his approach relatable. He’s learned, sometimes the hard way, how to carry a squirmy toddler or balance work-life demands and he uses that empathy when advising pregnant women on posture and ergonomics.

Bottom line: when you work with Dr. John, you’re seeing a proven expert. The combination of his 18 years in practice, Webster certification, and ICPA pediatric training means your chiropractic care is not just “a quick adjustment,” but a well-rounded prenatal health strategy. It’s like having a spine-specialist and a friendly mentor rolled into one.

Conclusion: Your Next Step Toward a More Comfortable Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a marathon run of nine months, and every bit of support helps. Chiropractic care isn’t a magic wand — we won’t promise no discomfort at all — but it can take the edge off common aches, help baby get into the best position, and even contribute to a smoother delivery. Best of all, it’s a safe and natural option that many Denver mothers find incredibly valuable.

If you’re an expectant mom in Park Hill, Central Park or anywhere in Northeast Denver feeling the strain, consider giving your body some tune-up care. Dr. John and Szabina are here to listen and help. Whether it’s your first visit or tenth, we’ll work together on a plan tailored for you and your baby.

Ready to see if prenatal chiropractic can make a difference? Give us a call at (303) 377-6137 or book a consultation online. We’ll answer your questions, explain what to expect, and figure out the first steps toward easing your pregnancy discomforts. Pregnancy is incredible, and your body is amazing — let us help you enjoy it with a little less pain and a little more comfort.

Your Denver neighborhood chiropractic team looks forward to helping you stay strong, aligned, and ready for that new arrival!

References:

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30103876

2. Journal of Midwifery and Women’s Health, 2006 Chiropractic Spinal Manipulation for Low Back Pain of Pregnancy: A Retrospective Case Series

3. The Webster Technique: A Chiropractic Technique. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2002 Jul-Aug;25(6): E1-9

4. The Effect of Chiropractic Treatment on Pregnancy and Labor: A Comprehensive Study (Proceedings of the World Federation of Chiropractic, 1991: 24-31.

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