Chiropractic Care During Pregnancy: Benefits for Expecting Mothers

Pregnancy is an exciting and transformative journey, but it can also bring significant physical challenges. As a mother-to-be, your body undergoes rapid changes to accommodate the growing baby, often leading to discomfort, aches, and postural shifts. Chiropractic care can be a safe and effective way to manage these changes, helping to reduce pain, improve mobility, and prepare the body for a smoother delivery.


How Pregnancy Affects the Spine and Pelvis

During pregnancy, the body experiences a range of physiological changes, including:

  • Postural Adjustments – As the baby grows, the center of gravity shifts forward, increasing stress on the lower back and pelvis.
  • Hormonal Changes – The hormone relaxin loosens ligaments in preparation for childbirth, which can sometimes lead to instability and discomfort in the spine and joints.
  • Increased Spinal Curvature – The natural curve of the lower back becomes more pronounced, which can contribute to pain and muscle tightness.
  • Pelvic Misalignment – Changes in pelvic alignment can affect the baby’s positioning and potentially lead to a more challenging labor and delivery.


Chiropractic care offers a drug-free approach to managing these changes, ensuring the spine and pelvis remain properly aligned for a more comfortable pregnancy.


Benefits of Chiropractic Care During Pregnancy

1. Relieves Back, Hip, and Pelvic Pain

Many pregnant women experience lower back and hip pain due to the extra weight and shifting posture. Chiropractic adjustments can help realign the spine and relieve pressure on the joints and nerves, providing much-needed relief.


2. Improves Pelvic Balance and Baby Positioning

Pelvic misalignment can restrict the amount of space available for the baby to move into the ideal head-down position for birth. Chiropractors trained in the Webster Technique specialize in adjusting the pelvis to create optimal alignment, reducing the likelihood of breech positioning and promoting a smoother delivery.


3. Reduces the Risk of Sciatic Nerve Pain

As the uterus expands, it can put pressure on the sciatic nerve, leading to sharp, radiating pain down the lower back, hips, and legs. Chiropractic adjustments help relieve this pressure, reducing discomfort and improving mobility.


4. Enhances Nervous System Function

The nervous system controls nearly every function in the body, including those crucial for pregnancy and childbirth. By ensuring proper spinal alignment, chiropractic care helps the nervous system communicate more effectively, supporting overall well-being for both mother and baby.


5. Promotes Better Posture and Balance

The additional weight and shifting center of gravity can lead to postural imbalances. Regular chiropractic adjustments help maintain proper posture, reducing strain on muscles and joints.


6. May Contribute to an Easier Labor and Delivery

A properly aligned pelvis allows for a smoother labor process by ensuring that the baby has ample space to descend. Studies suggest that chiropractic care may help reduce labor times and the need for medical interventions during delivery.


Is Chiropractic Care Safe During Pregnancy?

Yes! Chiropractic care is considered safe for most pregnant women when performed by a qualified practitioner. Chiropractors use gentle, pregnancy-specific techniques that avoid unnecessary pressure on the abdomen. Many offices also provide specialized tables and pillows to accommodate the growing belly comfortably.


It is always a good idea to consult with your obstetrician or midwife before beginning chiropractic care, especially if you have any pregnancy complications or high-risk factors.


When Should You Start Chiropractic Care During Pregnancy?

There is no wrong time to start chiropractic care during pregnancy. Some women begin care in the first trimester to help with early postural changes, while others seek treatment later on to address discomfort as their pregnancy progresses. Regular adjustments throughout pregnancy can provide ongoing relief and support.


Additional Ways to Support a Healthy Pregnancy

Chiropractic care works best when combined with other wellness strategies, including:

  • Prenatal Exercise – Activities like walking, swimming, and prenatal yoga help maintain strength and flexibility.
  • Proper Hydration – Staying hydrated supports spinal health and reduces muscle stiffness.
  • Supportive Footwear – Wearing shoes with proper arch support helps distribute weight evenly and reduces lower back pain.
  • Prenatal Massage – Massage therapy can complement chiropractic adjustments by reducing muscle tension and promoting relaxation.


Preparing for Postpartum Recovery

Chiropractic care doesn’t stop after delivery. Postpartum adjustments can help realign the spine, support recovery, and address any lingering discomfort from pregnancy and labor. Many new mothers find that chiropractic care helps them regain mobility and energy, making it easier to care for their newborns.


Final Thoughts

Pregnancy is a time of immense physical change, but it doesn’t have to be uncomfortable. Chiropractic care offers a safe and natural way to support your body as it adapts to pregnancy, helping to relieve pain, improve pelvic alignment, and even contribute to an easier delivery.


At Peak Performance, our chiropractors have experience working with expecting mothers and use gentle, pregnancy-friendly techniques to provide the best care possible. If you’re interested in experiencing the benefits of chiropractic care during pregnancy, schedule a consultation with us today!


Bethany Wolcott

D’Youville Chiropractic ‘26

What Is a Traction Table—and Who Can Benefit From It?

By S21 GMB • January 19, 2026
If you’ve ever dealt with back or neck pain, you’ve probably been told to “take pressure off the spine.” Easier said than done, right? That’s where a traction table comes in. Traction tables are a common, evidence-informed tool used in chiropractic offices to help reduce spinal compression, improve mobility, and relieve pain—without surgery or medications. Let’s break down what a traction table is, how it works, and who may benefit from incorporating traction into their care plan. 

Probiotics vs. Prebiotics: What’s the Difference—and Why Your Gut Needs Both

By S21 GMB • January 12, 2026
If you’ve ever wandered down the supplement aisle or scrolled past a wellness influencer, you’ve probably seen the words probiotic and prebiotic tossed around like everyone automatically knows what they mean. They sound similar, they’re often mentioned together, and yet they serve very different roles in your body. Understanding the difference between probiotics and prebiotics—and why both matter—can help you make smarter choices for digestion, immunity, inflammation, and even musculoskeletal health. Let’s break it down.

Making (and Keeping) New Year’s Resolutions Without Losing Your Mind

By Jun Sanchez • January 5, 2026
Every January, the same thing happens. Gyms get crowded. Grocery carts fill with leafy greens. Water bottles reappear from the back of cabinets. And somewhere around mid-February… motivation quietly slips out the back door. If this sounds familiar, you’re not failing. You’re human. New Year’s resolutions get a bad reputation because so many of them don’t stick—but that doesn’t mean setting goals is pointless. It just means we need a better, kinder approach. One that focuses less on perfection and more on progress. Here’s how to make resolutions that feel doable, meaningful, and—most importantly—keepable. 

The Viscerosomatic Reflex: When Your Organs Talk to Your Muscles

By Jun Sanchez • December 29, 2025
Have you ever noticed back tension when you’re stressed, or neck stiffness that seems to flare up when you’re not feeling well? While it may seem coincidental, there’s a fascinating neurological explanation behind these patterns: the viscerosomatic reflex . Understanding the viscerosomatic reflex helps explain why internal organ dysfunction can show up as muscle tension, pain, or restricted movement—and why chiropractic and massage care can play a valuable role in managing these patterns. Let’s break it down. 

Peak Performance Onederland Celebration

By Jun Sanchez • December 24, 2025
Peak Performance Chiropractic & Wellness proudly hosted our Onederland Celebration , a festive, family-friendly event created to thank our patients, staff, and community for an incredible year of growth and support. The celebration brought together families, friends, and neighbors for an afternoon filled with holiday cheer, laughter, and meaningful connection. Guests enjoyed seasonal activities, treats, and special surprises while coming together for a greater purpose. The event also served as a toy drive benefiting Be A Blessing Buffalo , allowing attendees to give back and help bring joy to local families during the holiday season. The Onederland Celebration truly reflected what Peak Performance stands for—community, gratitude, and giving back. We are incredibly thankful to everyone who attended, donated, volunteered, and helped make this event such a success. Because of our amazing community, we were able to celebrate one year of growth while spreading kindness and making a positive impact beyond our walls. We look forward to continuing this tradition and creating even more meaningful moments together in the years ahead. 

Fibromyalgia

By Jun Sanchez • December 22, 2025
Understanding Fibromyalgia

Seasonal Wellness: Preparing Your Body for Winter Sports

By S21 GMB • December 15, 2025
As temperatures drop and snow blankets the ground, winter sports enthusiasts eagerly prepare for a season of skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, and more. While these activities offer an exciting way to stay active during the colder months, they also present unique physical challenges that can lead to injuries if the body isn’t properly prepared. A strategic approach to seasonal wellness can help you build strength, improve flexibility, and reduce the risk of common winter sports injuries.

Small But Mighty: The Best Stocking Stuffers for Health & Wellness Lovers

By S21 GMB • December 8, 2025
When it comes to filling a stocking, there’s something magical about tiny treasures that pack a big punch. Sure, candy canes and fuzzy socks are classics—but what if your stocking stuffers could actually make someone feel better long after the holiday sugar crashes fade? This year, level up your gifting game with wellness-forward, feel-good, wow-that’s-so-useful ideas curated with your favorite chiropractic and massage office in mind. Whether you’re shopping for the gym buff, the “my neck hurts every day” coworker, the parent who needs a moment of peace, or that friend who swears they’re finally going to prioritize self-care in the new year, we’ve got you covered.  Here are our top stocking stuffers that are cute, practical, and chiropractor-approved.

Gratitude for Your Body: 5 Ways to Thank Your Muscles and Joints This Season

By S21 GMB • December 1, 2025
Thanksgiving is the time of year when we pause to appreciate the big things—family, food, football, and maybe even a perfectly flaky pie crust. But there’s one thing we often forget to be grateful for: our bodies . Every day, your muscles, joints, and connective tissues do a whole lot more than you realize. They carry you through grocery store marathons, marathon-marathons, late-night study sessions, workdays, workouts, and everything in between.  So this season, before you grab that second helping of mashed potatoes (no judgment here), take a moment to thank the parts of you that keep you moving. Here are five simple, meaningful ways to show your body a little gratitude—and feel better in the process.

Lower Cross Syndrome: What It Is, Why It Happens, and How to Fix It

By S21 GMB • November 21, 2025
If you’ve ever stood up after a long day at your desk and thought, “Why does my lower back feel like it’s been personally offended?”—you’re not alone. In fact, your posture may be telling a whole story. Enter Lower Cross Syndrome (LCS) : a common postural pattern that shows up when certain muscle groups decide to overachieve while others go on vacation. The good news? You can absolutely fix it—and your favorite chiropractic and massage team is here to help.
Show More