Pregnancy
Pregnancy is a period of profound physical transformation, yet for many women, it is accompanied by significant musculoskeletal discomfort. Low back pain (LBP) and pelvic girdle pain (PGP) are extremely common, affecting up to 71% of pregnant women in Australia. This pain is not merely a nuisance; four out of five women report associated disability, and alarmingly, 68% of those who experience moderate pain continue to suffer recurring LBP long after birth.
If you are experiencing persistent back, hip, or sciatic pain during your pregnancy in Ringwood, Croydon, or the Eastern Suburbs, seeking specific structural support is crucial for both immediate relief and long-term health. The limitations on pain medication during the later stages of pregnancy make non-pharmacological care essential.
At our practice, Dr. Jarrett offers a solution rooted in precision: the Gonstead System. This method is designed to be gentle, safe, and highly specific, targeting the exact spinal and pelvic misalignments (subluxations) caused by hormonal and postural changes. We aim to restore optimal function, offering a tailored path ensuring a comfortable pregnancy and delivery.
- Wake up pain free
- Move with confidence
- Live without limits
What is Pregnancy and Chiropractic?
Pregnancy and chiropractic care focuses on managing the unique musculoskeletal demands placed on the mother’s body during gestation and postpartum recovery. The goal is to provide safe, non-invasive treatment to manage pain and support optimal biomechanics as the body
Epidemiology and Risk Factors
Pregnancy-related lumbopelvic pain (LPP)—encompassing low back pain and pelvic girdle pain—is an endemic issue. Key factors driving this pain include:
- Hormonal Changes: Elevated levels of relaxin and progesterone cause significant ligamentous laxity in the pubic symphysis and sacroiliac (SI) joints, leading to pelvic instability (PGP).
- Postural Shifts: Progressive growth of the uterus and foetus shifts the centre of mass forward, forcing the mother to increase the natural curve of her lower back (lumbar lordosis) to maintain balance. This increases shear forces and can contribute to disc issues.
- Pre-existing Conditions: Women with a previous history of LPP or who are experiencing multiparity (multiple pregnancies) are at higher risk.
changes.
Mechanism of Injury & Pathophysiology: Hormones and Biomechanics
Pregnancy pain is caused by the convergence of mechanical stress and hormonal changes, which uniquely destabilize the pelvic foundation.
Pelvic Girdle Instability
Hormonal laxity creates instability in the pelvic ring, a condition unique to pregnancy that is not seen in non-pregnant weight gain. This instability is crucial, as the pelvis serves as the foundation for the spine.
Spinal Misalignment (Subluxation)
As the centre of mass shifts dramatically forward, the increasing mechanical strain can stress the lower spine, leading to subluxations. According to the Gonstead Level Disc Theory, this shifting can compromise the optimal “Parallel Discs” alignment, resulting in uneven pressure that can exacerbate disc or facet joint issues.
The systemic nature of the postural changes means that symptoms often extend beyond the lower back, including:
- Referred Nerve Pain: Pressure on the sciatic nerve leading to sciatica.
- Upper Body Pain: Neck pain, stiffness, and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome from poor posture and increased fluid circulation.
Common Symptoms
Patients seeking chiropractic care for pregnancy-related pain typically report:
- Low Back Pain and Pelvic Girdle Pain (PGP): Pain in the buttocks, hips, and lower back, often worse when standing, walking, or turning over in bed.
- Sciatica: Sharp, shooting pain, numbness, or tingling radiating down the leg.
- Neck and Thoracic Pain: Stiffness and pain in the upper back and neck due to the enlarged breasts and changes in spinal posture.
- Difficulty Sleeping: Pain often worsens at night, leading to insomnia.
Essential Red Flags (Seek Emergency Care)
While prenatal chiropractic is safe and effective, certain neurological symptoms require immediate medical review:
- Sudden or New Lower Back Pain accompanied by difficulty passing urine or loss of bladder/bowel control (possible Cauda Equina Syndrome).
- New numbness around the vaginal or back passage (saddle anaesthesia).
How Gonstead Chiropractic Can Help
Chiropractic care is widely reported to be safe and gentle for both mother and baby during pregnancy. Importantly, manual therapy techniques are recognized as effective tools for pregnancy-related LBP and PGP when compared to standard care control groups.
The Gonstead Diagnostic Process
As a specialist pregnancy chiropractor, Dr. Jarrett uses the Gonstead System, adapted for safety and comfort during pregnancy:
- Visualisation & Postural Assessment: Carefully observing the structural shift, including the increased lumbar lordosis and forward head posture.
- Instrumentation (Nervo-Scope): Used along the spine and sacrum to objectively pinpoint areas of nerve irritation and inflammation.
- X-Ray Analysis: X-rays are avoided during pregnancy unless deemed medically necessary by a GP (which is rare). Dr. Jarrett relies heavily on Visualisation, Instrumentation, and Palpation to ensure a precise diagnosis.
- Specialised Palpation: Pinpointing subluxations in the low back, sacrum, and sacroiliac (SI) joints—the core areas affected by relaxin and postural strain.
Specific Adjustments for Pelvic Balance
The precision of the Gonstead adjustment means minimal force is used, targeting only the specific misaligned vertebrae or pelvic segment. Adjustments are performed using specialized tables with cut-outs or cushions, ensuring the patient is comfortable and safe, often lying face-down or side-lying.
By correcting the subluxation, Gonstead care aims to:
- Restore Pelvic and Sacral Alignment: Directly address the instability in the foundation caused by hormonal laxity, which has been shown to alleviate low back pain in up to 91% of pregnant patients with sacroiliac dysfunction.
- Reduce Nerve Irritation: Relieve pressure on the spinal nerve roots, which is crucial for managing sciatica.
Improve Function: Patients often report rapid, clinically significant improvements in pain and disability. One study showed average pain levels dropped from 5.9/10 to 1.5/10 after only 1.8 treatments, on average.
Recovery, Management & Prevention
Chiropractic adjustments lay the foundation for healing, but active management is crucial for the overall wellbeing of the mother.
The Critical Non-Pharmacological Advantage
The need for drug-free pain management becomes critical during the third trimester, as Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) are generally not suitable after week 30 due to potential fetal risks. This constraint positions structural, non-invasive chiropractic care as an essential solution for pain management when medical options are restricted.
Management and Wellness
We complement specific Gonstead care with evidence-based lifestyle advice:
- Therapeutic Exercise: Gentle aerobic activity, muscle strengthening, breathing, and stretching exercises are healthy and recommended during pregnancy, improving posture and psychological well-being.
- Posture Correction: Focusing on maintaining good posture while sitting and standing to minimize strain on the stretching muscles and ligaments.
Self-Care: Ensuring the use of supportive bras and adapting exercises as the pregnancy advances, avoiding high-impact activities that increase joint pressure.
Your Next Steps
If you are struggling with low back pain, PGP, or sciatica during your pregnancy, early, specific structural care can make a profound difference in your comfort and mobility.
At our practice, Dr. Jarrett specializes in the precise Gonstead System, providing gentle, tailored adjustments that are safe for both you and your baby.
If you’re seeking a chiropractor in Ringwood, book your initial consultation today to ensure a more comfortable pregnancy and prepared recovery.
Why choose us?
Frequently asked questions
Your questions
answered.
Is chiropractic treatment safe during pregnancy?
Yes, chiropractic care is widely reported to be safe and gentle for both mother and baby during pregnancy. Prenatal chiropractors receive specialized training, and techniques are modified for safety and comfort, often using specialized tables.
Can Gonstead chiropractic help with pelvic girdle pain (PGP)?
Yes. The hormonal changes during pregnancy cause laxity in the pelvic ligaments, leading to instability (PGP). The Gonstead System is highly effective because it specifically targets and adjusts the misaligned sacrum and pelvis, restoring proper joint function, which has been shown to alleviate pain in a majority of pregnant patients with SI dysfunction.
Do you use X-rays during pregnancy?
No. X-rays are only used when clinically necessary and are avoided during pregnancy. Dr. Jarrett relies exclusively on non-radiographic Gonstead analysis tools, including Instrumentation (Nervo-Scope), Visualisation, and Palpation, to ensure a precise, yet safe, diagnosis.
Can chiropractic help reduce labour time?
Some observational evidence suggests that chiropractic care during pregnancy may help reduce labour time. However, the primary, evidence-based benefit is the reduction of pregnancy-related low back and pelvic pain, which significantly improves comfort and quality of life.
What makes the Gonstead method better for pregnancy pain?
The Gonstead system’s emphasis on precision and specificity is ideal for the pregnant body. Rather than general manipulation, Dr. Jarrett identifies the exact misaligned segment in the low back or pelvis (often caused by postural shift or ligament laxity) and uses minimal force to correct only that segment, ensuring maximum effectiveness and safety.
Our location
Where we are located
Ringwood Chiropractic
139B Wantirna Road, Ringwood VIC 3134, Australia
Parking Information
Convenient on-site parking is available for patients, with additional spaces located on nearby streets. Please allow a few extra minutes during peak times to find a spot.
Take the First Step Toward Relief
You don’t have to live with pain or discomfort holding you back, your solution is closer than you think.