Pregnant and Experiencing Lower Back Pain? Can Chiropractic Help? Perth & Leederville
Lower back pain during pregnancy is incredibly common, but that doesn’t mean it’s something you simply have to “put up with” for nine months.
Many pregnant women in Perth, including those in Leederville and surrounding suburbs, experience pain in the lower back, pelvis, hips, or down the leg, often impacting sleep, mobility, work, and overall enjoyment of pregnancy.
So the question is a valid one:
Can chiropractic help during pregnancy?
The short answer is yes! Dr Miles Upfold at Up Chiropractic Leederville prides himself on providing safe, gently, and with pregnancy-specific Chiropractic Care. With 5 children of his own, he provided Chiropractic care to his wife Meagan, throughout all of her pregnancies and during all of her labours.
Why Back Pain Is So Common During Pregnancy
As your body changes during pregnancy, several factors increase stress on the lower back and pelvis:
Changes in posture and centre of gravity
Increased load through the pelvis and spine
Hormonal changes (especially relaxin) affecting joint stability
Altered movement patterns
Reduced sleep and recovery
At Up Chiropractic in Leederville, the most common pregnancy-related presentations we see include:
Common Pregnancy-Related Pain We Treat
Sacroiliac (SI) joint pain
Sciatica
Lower back pain
Pelvic girdle discomfort
These issues are often related to changes in pelvic balance, biomechanics, and nervous system function.
Our Pregnancy-Specific Chiropractic Approach in Leederville, Perth
Chiropractic care during pregnancy looks very different to standard care and safety and comfort are always the priority.
Specialised Tables & Gentle Techniques
At our Leederville chiropractic practice, we use a specialised pregnancy table that allows space for the growing baby, ensuring there is no pressure on the abdomen. This allows your back and pelvis to be assessed and adjusted comfortably throughout all stages of pregnancy.
Our approach includes:
Low-force chiropractic adjusting
Pregnancy-safe neuromuscular testing
Webster Technique, where appropriate
These techniques are designed to support pelvic balance, reduce joint stress, and optimise nervous system function, without forceful movements.
How We Assess Pregnant Patients
Every pregnancy is different, so assessment is always individualised.
At our Leederville, Perth chiropractic practice, we evaluate pregnant patients using:
A pregnancy-specific table for comfort and safety
Neuromuscular testing
Pelvic and SI joint assessment
Round ligament release following Webster Technique protocols
The goal is to understand how your body is adapting, and where it may need gentle support.
Real-World Outcomes We See in Pregnancy Care
While every pregnancy is unique, many of our pregnant patients from Leederville, West Leederville, Mt Hawthorn and surrounding Perth suburbs report similar improvements after chiropractic care, including:
Reduced lower back and pelvic pain
Increased mobility and ease of movement
Better sleep
Greater comfort when sitting and standing
Improved overall function and wellbeing
We often see women feel more confident staying active throughout their pregnancy, which can have positive flow-on effects for both mum and baby.
Why Chiropractic Can Help During Pregnancy
From a functional perspective, chiropractic care during pregnancy helps by:
Reducing joint inflammation and mechanical stress
Improving pelvic symmetry and biomechanics
Supporting optimal load distribution through the spine and pelvis
Enhancing nervous system function and regulation
As the body changes, maintaining balance and communication between the brain, spine, and pelvis becomes increasingly important.
Support Beyond the Adjustment: At-Home Strategies
Care doesn’t stop in the clinic. We provide simple, practical strategies to support pregnant patients at home, including:
Pregnancy-Friendly Support Strategies
Pillow use and optimal sleeping positions
Lower back and pelvic support strategies
Gentle mobility and appropriate activity
Advice on what not to do, including avoiding excessive stretching, which can aggravate instability during pregnancy
These strategies help protect the joints while your body adapts.
Is Chiropractic Safe During Pregnancy?
This is one of the most common concerns, and understandably so.
Chiropractic care is very safe for both mum and baby when performed by a practitioner trained in pregnancy care.
During pregnancy:
Increased levels of relaxin make joints more responsive and comfortable to adjust
Specialised tables and low-force techniques ensure safety
Care is always adapted to the stage of pregnancy
At no point is pressure applied to the abdomen, and techniques are selected specifically for comfort and safety.
Referrals & Trust Within the Perth Pregnancy Community
We regularly receive referrals from:
Midwives across Perth
Online pregnancy and mum forums
Local mums who have personally experienced the benefits of chiropractic care during pregnancy
This ongoing referral network reflects the trust placed in our Leederville chiropractic practice.
Why You Can Trust Our Experience
Pregnancy care is an area of special interest in our clinic.
I bring:
Over 20 years of clinical experience
Postgraduate studies
Personal experience as a parent of five children
Experience helping hundreds of pregnant women across Perth
This combination of professional training and real-life understanding allows us to provide care that is both clinically sound and deeply empathetic.
So… Can Chiropractic Help With Pregnancy-Related Lower Back Pain?
Yes! Dr Miles Upfold provides gentle, pregnancy-specific, Chiropractic care, focusing on supporting the body’s changing biomechanics and nervous system.
At Up Chiropractic in Leederville, we support pregnant women from across Perth to:
Reduce pain
Improve mobility
Support comfort and sleep
Stay active and well throughout pregnancy
If you’re pregnant and experiencing lower back or pelvic pain, pregnancy-safe chiropractic care may be an excellent support for you and your growing baby.
References:
Stuber, K. J., & Smith, D. L. (2008).
Chiropractic treatment of pregnancy-related low back pain: A systematic review of the evidence.
Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 31(6), 447–454.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18722200/Peterson, C. K., Haas, M., Gregory, T., & Aickin, M. (2014).
Outcomes of pregnant patients with low back pain undergoing chiropractic treatment: A prospective cohort study.
Chiropractic & Manual Therapies, 22(15).
https://chiromt.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/2045-709X-22-15Bernard, S., & Tuchin, P. J. (2016).
Chiropractic management of pregnancy-related lumbopelvic pain: A case study.
Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, 15(3), 194–199.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4913124/Borggren, C. L. (2007).
Pregnancy and chiropractic: A narrative review of the literature.
Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, 6(2), 70–74.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2647084/