Prenatal Chiropractor in Lincoln NE: What to Expect
You're five months along, your low back aches by the end of the workday, and rolling over in bed has become a project. A friend said a chiropractor helped her during pregnancy, and now you're wondering what that would look like.
The short answer: chiropractic care during pregnancy is about comfort and movement. A visit starts with your history and how far along you are, positioning is set up for comfort at each stage, and you go home with simple changes for sleep, lifting and sitting. Your OB or midwife stays in charge of your pregnancy, and we work alongside them.
My name is Dr. James Cain, DC, and I'm the chiropractor at Champion Family Chiropractic in south Lincoln. Here's what expecting moms in town can expect before they ever pick up the phone.
Champion Family Chiropractic sells some of the products mentioned here, in our office, our online shop and our Fullscript dispensary, and we earn from those sales. I only recommend things I would suggest to my own patients and family.
Why does your back hurt more during pregnancy?
Back pain is one of the most common complaints of pregnancy, especially later on, and for many women it hangs around for months after the baby comes (ACOG: back pain during pregnancy).
Three things are going on at once. Your growing uterus shifts your center of gravity forward, so your low back works harder to keep you upright. The muscles of your belly stretch and give your spine less support. And the extra weight adds load on your joints all day, which is why the ache is often worst by evening.
None of that means something is wrong. It means your body is doing a lot of work, and small changes in how you sit, sleep and lift can take some of the load off.
What happens at a prenatal chiropractic visit?
Here's how a visit goes at our office.
Your history first. How far along you are, how your pregnancy is going, what your OB or midwife has told you and where it hurts. That shapes everything else.
A look at how you move. How you stand, walk, sit down and get up. That shows me where your back and hips are working hardest.
Positioning for comfort. We set you up so you're comfortable at your stage, and we change it as your belly grows. You never lie in a position that feels wrong.
Care that fits you. Gentle, and only what makes sense for you that day. I explain each step before I do it.
Home care. You leave with a sleep setup, a better way to lift and carry, and a few easy stretches.
I'll also ask you to keep your OB or midwife in the loop about your chiropractic care. If anything in my exam points to something they or another specialist should check, I'll tell you right away.
How does care change from trimester to trimester?
First trimester. Many women feel tired and queasy more than sore. Visits are short and focused on habits, like how you sit at work and how you sleep.
Second trimester. Your belly starts to change your posture, and low back and hip aches often show up. This is when positioning and home stretches matter most.
Third trimester. Sleep, getting in and out of the car and carrying older kids get harder. ACOG says side sleeping is best later in pregnancy, with one or both knees bent and a pillow between your knees and under your belly. We set that up together so it works in your own bed.
After the baby comes. Feeding positions, car seats and lifting a toddler all load the back. Our pregnancy and postpartum care page covers that season too.
What can you do at home for pregnancy back pain?
These come straight from ACOG's advice, with the why behind each one.
Squat to lift. Bend your knees and keep your back straight instead of bending at the waist, so your legs do the work.
Wear low-heeled shoes with arch support. High heels tip you forward and add to the curve in your low back.
Sit with support. A chair with good back support or a small pillow behind your low back keeps you from slumping during long workdays.
Keep walking. A walk around Holmes Lake or your own block keeps your hips and back moving. Water exercise helps too. Check with your OB or midwife before starting something new, and stop anything that hurts.
Heat or cold, briefly. A heating pad on its lowest setting wrapped in a towel, or a cold pack, for short stretches of time.
When should you call your OB or midwife?
Call your OB or midwife about back pain that's severe or that lasts more than two weeks. Call them right away if back pain comes with fever, burning when you pee or vaginal bleeding. Back pain can also be a sign of preterm labor before 37 weeks, so if your back pain feels different or something seems off, call them now (ACOG).
If you have heavy bleeding, severe belly pain or think you're in labor, call your OB or midwife's after-hours line or go to the hospital.
Should you book a visit now?
A visit is worth it when your back or hips ache most days, when sleep is getting hard, or when you just want a plan for staying comfortable through the rest of your pregnancy. You don't need a referral.
Your first visit as a new patient is $20, a new-patient offer. Not valid for Medicare beneficiaries. Since we don't bill insurance, our pricing information lays out what to plan for. Our early visits on Monday, Wednesday and Friday start at 7:30 AM, which helps if you're working until your due date.
What I recommend
A lot of women in the third trimester feel really uncomfortable and have a hard time getting comfortable. I tell them to stay active and keep moving, but also to rest when they need to.
A prenatal vitamin is a decision for you and your OB or midwife. If you want one from our office, we carry the PurePath Full-Spectrum Prenatal Multi. Ask your OB or midwife whether it fits you before you start it, and pick it up at the front desk on Pine Lake Road if you're already coming in.
Questions people ask
Is it safe to see a chiropractor while pregnant?
For most healthy pregnancies, gentle care with positioning set up for comfort is a reasonable option. Tell your OB or midwife you're coming in, and tell me about any complications, so we can plan around them.
How often should a pregnant woman see a chiropractor?
No single schedule fits everyone. It depends on what I find at your first visit, how you're feeling and how far along you are. We'll talk it through and you decide.
Can a chiropractor help with sleeping during pregnancy?
I can help you set up a side-sleeping position with pillows that fits your bed and your stage, and look at what's making you sore at night. Many women find small changes like that make a real difference.
Expecting and sore? Schedule at championchirolincoln.com, or call or text us at 402-423-4422.
Written by Dr. James Cain, DC, a chiropractor at Champion Family Chiropractic in Lincoln, Nebraska. This article is general education, not personal medical advice. Questions about your own health? Call or text us at 402-423-4422 and we'll help you figure out the next step. For a medical emergency, call 911.
Comments