Prenatal & Postpartum
Chiropractic Care

Our Approach to Pregnancy Focused Chiropractic Care

Chiropractors specifically focus on the alignment of a pregnant persons body. Treatment consists of gently and specifically adjusting the mother's spine and pelvis into proper alignment, and releasing tension in muscles and ligaments. 

Chiropractic work helps establish normal physiological and biomechanical function of the mothers body. This can in turn help support the baby and the birthing process. 

Transition smoothly into postpartum life by maintaining chiropractic care in the early weeks and months. This support aids in realigning the pelvis and lower back while also helping your upper body manage the demands of caring for a baby

The Webster's Technique

The Webster's Technique is a specific chiropractic analysis and adjustment of the pelvis.

The first step is having the client lay face down in pregnancy pillows that fully support the growing belly. In this position the chiropractor determines misalignments of the low back and pelvis. Tight muscles and ligaments are worked on, and gentle movement is applied to the joints, often leaving the pregnant person with immediate relief. This can also help the baby find that optimal head down position, providing you with more birth options.

Prenatal Registered Massage Therapy

Pregnancy is a special, but often stressful time on the body; massage can be the perfect companion to help you make it through! While your body may experience heightened tension and soreness in the final days before birth - especially around your back, neck and pelvis - prenatal massage alleviates pain as well as providing an additional boost of relaxation.

By being aware of what doesn't feel right for you during this period, seeking out professional treatment like prenatal massages means that discomfort won't have to remain part of pregnancy and even postpartum journey.

Prenatal & Postpartum Acupuncture

Prenatal acupuncture is an invaluable resource for pregnant and postpartum women, aiding in the management of physical, mental, and emotional well-being during this transformative period. It alleviates pregnancy-related aches and pains and reduces stress and anxiety, often providing immediate benefits that extend well beyond treatment.

If your baby is in a breech position, acupuncture can offer significant support for both you and your baby. We advise scheduling a session as soon as possible to develop an effective treatment plan.

Baseline offers the service of Cervical Ripening through our trusted acupuncturists to help prepare your body for childbirth. In the postpartum phase, Mothers Warming acupuncture can assist in your recovery from birth, helping to restore your physical and emotional balance.

Frequently Asked Questions

1How quickly do improvements happen?
If you are symptom-free and seeking treatment for preventing aches and pains, treatments are spaced out to checkups to ensure the body remains feeling good throughout pregnancy. If there are symptoms, a course of treatment will be discussed with each client to ensure the best course of action is taken. Every session is based on the individual needs of the client, and treatment is custom to their pregnancy journey.
2How long does a treatment session last?
An initial visit, which includes: thorough history taking, performing a regional examination, and treatment is one hour in length. The initial visit will include patient education, a clinical impression of what is going on, what you can expect regarding your particular case, and treatment which includes muscle work, gentle chiropractic care, and home care exercises. Subsequent visits are half an hour long and include muscle work, adjustments if needed, and a review of home care exercises and possibly new ones to keep your progress going. By putting emphasis on longer appointment times, we believe this is the best way to have patient-centered, thorough chiropractic care with the highest quality of care.
3What can I expect following a treatment session?
Our goal is to have you feeling better leaving our clinic following treatment. You will be equipped with exercises, stretching, and breathing activities to help manage your symptoms, and improve your pregnancy experience. We want your body as prepared as possible for the birthing process, regardless of what that ends up looking like for you. Some mild soreness -often described as “post-workout soreness”- may last up to a couple of days after treatment. If your body needed a lot of movement or this was a new experience for you it may be slightly sore as well. A follow-up visit will be discussed, and then treatment as needed on an individual basis.
4When should I see a chiropractor during my pregnancy?
It’s never too early to start chiropractic care during pregnancy! Many pregnant people start experiencing aches and pains as early as their first trimester. It is incredible how your body starts changing almost immediately. In order to better enjoy your pregnancy, it is beneficial to have aches, pains and discomforts resolved sooner rather than later. Removing these ailments can aid in keeping you moving, working out, and generally improve the performance of normal activities more comfortably.
5What are some common conditions you treat?
Patients who visit our Vancouver clinic for care usually complain of the following during their pregnancy: ● Low back pain ● Pubic bone pain ● Neck pain ● Sciatica ● Rib pain ● Sacroiliac (SI) joint pain ● Headaches ● Pelvic girdle pain ● Round ligament pain ● Carpal tunnel syndrome ● Tailbone pain ● Hip, knee, ankle pain
6Why do people experience aches and pains during pregnancy?
The body changes so much during pregnancy. There is more tension on the low back and pelvis, muscles and ligaments are under more strain, posture changes, and the pelvis must expand to make room for a growing baby. All of these changes take place during a relatively short amount of time. Although aches and pains during pregnancy are common, they are in fact not normal. Pain is an indication that something is wrong in the body and it needs assistance. It’s our job as chiropractors to find out where the issue is coming from, to realign the body, and to give our clients tools to help manage these symptoms outside of the office.
7What are the benefits from chiropractic treatment during pregnancy?
● Relieve pregnancy-related aches and pains ● Support activities of daily living comfortably ● Reduce the uncertainty regarding safe movement and activities during pregnancy ● Relieve tight muscles and joints ● Support other systems of the body such as the nervous system (ex. sleep and digestion) ● Balance the body to ensure movement and workouts can still happen ● Discuss topics of interest such as pelvic floor and deep abdominal activation ● Provide you with stretches and exercises to support your lifestyle through pregnancy ● Patient education to reduce any uncertainty regarding safe movement and activities during pregnancy ● Empower you to take charge of your health and learning to listen to your body
8Do you provide referrals?
We see many issues that can be resolved with gentle chiropractic care, however, if we feel that another professional may be best suited to help we can refer you to our integrated network of health care professionals. ● Doulas ● Mid-wives ● Pelvic Floor physiotherapists ● Lactation consultants ● Sleep specialists ● Naturopathic Doctors ● Prenatal massage therapists ● Mental Health professionals ● Acupuncturists