Start with your midwife, GP or obstetrician. They can check that the pain isn’t something that needs urgent care, and they may refer you to a physiotherapist who treats pregnancy-related pelvic pain. A pregnancy chiropractor can be one option for hands-on care, but it works best when your care team knows about it, and the research behind it is limited.
When to Get Urgent Help
Back or pelvic pain is common in pregnancy and usually isn’t dangerous. But contact your doctor, midwife or hospital straight away, or call000 in an emergency, if you have any of these:
- Bleeding from the vagina
- Severe pain or cramping in your lower abdomen
- A headache that doesn’t ease with simple pain relief, or blurred vision
- Sudden, severe swelling in your hands, feet or face
- Pain or swelling in one leg
- Fluid leaking from the vagina
- Your baby moving less than usual
You can also call the Pregnancy, Birth and Baby helpline on 1800 882 436 to speak with a maternal child health nurse.
Key Takeaways
- More than two-thirds of pregnant women get low back pain, and almost one in five get pelvic pain.
- Tell your midwife or GP first, before you book any hands-on treatment.
- Exercise has the best evidence for easing pregnancy back pain. Other options have low-quality evidence.
- Be cautious of anyone who promises that chiropractic will shorten labour or prevent a caesarean.
Somewhere around the second trimester, a lot of people notice it. A deep ache in the lower back, a sharp twinge at the front of the pelvis when you roll over in bed, hips that complain on the stairs.
If you’re searching for a pregnancy chiropractor, you’re probably hoping for one thing: relief. That’s fair. But there’s a question worth answering before you book anything, which is who you should see first, and for what. This guide walks through the options, what the research says, and when pain needs a different kind of attention altogether.
Why Back and Pelvic Pain Is So Common in Pregnancy
Your body is doing a lot. Pregnancy hormones soften the ligaments around the pelvis and spine, your centre of gravity shifts as the baby grows, and your posture changes without you noticing.
The numbers are high. According to a Cochrane review, more than two-thirds of pregnant women have low back pain and almost one in five have pelvic pain, and both tend to increase as the pregnancy goes on. They can interfere with work, daily tasks and sleep.
Pelvic girdle pain is its own thing. It usually shows up as pain at the front of the pelvis, across one or both sides of the lower back, or deep in the buttocks, sometimes spreading to the thighs. It’s not harmful to your baby, but it can make everyday movements hard.
Step One: Start with Your Midwife, GP or Obstetrician
It’s tempting to go straight to whoever sounds most likely to fix it. But your midwife, GP or obstetrician is the right first stop, for two reasons.
First, they know your pregnancy. They can tell whether the pain fits the normal pattern or needs a closer look. Back pain with other symptoms, like bleeding, fever, urinary pain or cramping that comes and goes, can point to something that isn’t musculoskeletal at all.
Second, they can guide you to the right kind of care. Women’s health organisations commonly advise raising pelvic or back pain with your midwife or GP early, so they can refer you to a physiotherapist who specialises in pregnancy-related joint problems.
If you do plan to see a chiropractor or any other hands-on practitioner, tell your care team. It’s a simple step that keeps everyone on the same page.
Step Two: A Physiotherapist Who Treats Pregnancy Pain
For pelvic girdle pain especially, a physiotherapist, ideally one who focuses on women’s or pelvic health, is often the next step. They can assess how your pelvis and spine move, then build a plan that might include exercises for your stomach, back, pelvic floor and hip muscles, advice on moving through the day, and sometimes a support belt.
The evidence leans in this direction. The same Cochrane review found low-quality evidence that exercise may reduce pregnancy-related low back pain, and moderate- to low-quality evidence that it improves function and reduces sick leave compared with usual prenatal care. An earlier version of the review also found moderate-quality evidence that exercise or acupuncture, tailored to the stage of pregnancy, reduced pelvic pain more than usual care alone.
Where a Pregnancy Chiropractor Fits In
Hands-on care, including chiropractic, is another option some people choose. It’s worth being clear about what we know and don’t know.
Some reviews of the literature describe chiropractic care in pregnancy as a reasonable option for common musculoskeletal symptoms. But the research is limited. The Cochrane review found that a multi-modal approach combining manual therapy, exercise and education reduced pain and disability, but the evidence was largely low quality, and no outcome was supported by high-quality evidence.
There’s also a point we want to make plainly. You may see claims online that chiropractic care shortens labour, turns a breech baby or prevents a caesarean. The Chiropractic Board of Australia has said the evidence for those claims is lacking. We don’t make them, and we’d encourage you to be wary of anyone who does.
What a good prenatal chiropractic visit should look like is simpler. A thorough history, including where you are in your pregnancy. Gentle techniques adapted to your stage, with positioning that avoids pressure on your abdomen. Honest conversation about what the care can and can’t do. Advice and exercises, not just adjustments. And a willingness to refer you back to your midwife or GP if something doesn’t fit.
Who to See for What
| Your situation | A good first step |
| Any new or worsening pain | Midwife, GP or obstetrician |
| Pain at the front of the pelvis, hip or groin when walking or rolling over | Midwife or GP, then a women’s health physiotherapist |
| Low back stiffness and ache | Midwife or GP, then physio or another hands-on practitioner, with your care team’s knowledge |
| Pain with bleeding, fever, fluid leak or severe cramping | Contact your doctor, midwife or hospital straight away |
| Numbness in the groin or inner thighs, or trouble with your bladder or bowel | Seek urgent medical help |
| Pain that continues after the baby is born | GP or physiotherapist |
Things That Can Help While You Wait
Plenty of everyday changes can take the edge off. Gentle, regular movement as your midwife or physio approves, supporting your lower back with a cushion when you sit, avoiding long periods in one position, rolling over in bed with your knees together, and a pregnancy support belt if recommended. A pillow between your knees can make sleep more comfortable.
None of these is a cure, but together they can make the days easier.
Pregnancy Care at SPYNE in Rhodes
We’re at Suite 801b, Level 8, 1 Rider Boulevard, Rhodes, about a five-minute walk from Rhodes train station, with three hours of free parking. We’re open Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm and Saturday from 8am to 1pm.
If you’d like to talk about pregnancy care at our clinic, you can read about our pregnancy care or our wider guide on chiropractic care during pregnancy. If you’re weighing up different practitioners, our post on physiotherapy versus chiropractic care may help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who should I see first for back pain in pregnancy?
Your midwife, GP or obstetrician. They can rule out anything urgent and refer you on, often to a physiotherapist who treats pregnancy-related pain.
Is it safe to see a chiropractor while pregnant?
Some reviews describe it as a reasonable option for common musculoskeletal pain, but research is limited and it isn’t right for everyone. Tell your midwife or GP first, and choose a practitioner who adapts care to your stage of pregnancy.
Can a chiropractor turn a breech baby or shorten labour?
The Chiropractic Board of Australia has said the evidence for these claims is lacking. Please speak with your midwife or obstetrician about breech positioning.
What helps pelvic girdle pain in pregnancy?
Exercises prescribed by a physiotherapist, activity changes, a support belt and rest are commonly used. Tell your midwife or GP if the pain makes it hard to cope.
When is back pain in pregnancy an emergency?
Contact your doctor, midwife or hospital straight away if your back or pelvic pain comes with bleeding, severe abdominal pain, fluid leaking, fever, or if your baby is moving less than usual. Call 000 in an emergency.
Does back pain go away after the baby is born?
Often it eases, but not always. If pain continues after birth, see your GP or a physiotherapist.
The Bottom Line
You don’t have to put up with back or pelvic pain just because you’re pregnant. But the best first step is usually a conversation with your midwife or GP, followed by the care that suits your situation, which might be physiotherapy, exercise, a hands-on practitioner, or a mix.
If you’d like to talk through your options at our Rhodes clinic, you can book online or call us on (02) 9657 1964.