By Dr. Rachel Green, Pediatric Chiropractor in Burlington, ON.
Pregnancy has a way of humbling even the most prepared women.
I’ve spent years supporting women through pregnancy and postpartum. But becoming a mother myself in 2025 gave me a deeper appreciation for just how intelligently and intensely the female body adapts during this season.
Pregnancy isn’t simply about “carrying a baby.” It’s a full-body biomechanical and neurological shift.
Your rib cage expands to support changing breathing patterns. Your center of gravity moves forward. Hormones increase ligament flexibility so your pelvis can prepare for birth. Muscles that once stabilized you effortlessly now have to work differently.
And while all of this is beautifully designed, it can also lead to aches, pains and tension.
Prenatal Chiropractic Care: Supporting Pelvic Alignment During Pregnancy
One of the most common reasons women look for a prenatal chiropractor is pelvic or low back pain.
As the uterus grows, the pelvis must remain mobile and balanced. When joints in the sacrum or pelvis become restricted, surrounding muscles and ligaments compensate. That compensation often shows up as:
- Sacroiliac joint pain
- Sciatic irritation
- Pubic symphysis discomfort
- Rib and mid-back tension
- Difficulty sleeping or walking comfortably
Prenatal chiropractic care focuses on restoring joint motion and reducing excess tension so the pelvis can move as it was designed to.
The Webster Technique in Burlington, Ontario
In my practice, I use the Webster Technique, a pregnancy-specific chiropractic approach developed through the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association.
The Webster Technique involves a specific analysis of sacral alignment and gentle adjustments combined with soft tissue work to address ligament tension.
It is about improving pelvic balance and biomechanics.
When the pelvis moves more symmetrically, many women report:
- Reduced back and pelvic pain
- Improved comfort with daily movement
- Better tolerance for activity as pregnancy progresses
Pelvic alignment doesn’t guarantee a specific birth outcome. But supporting optimal mechanics gives the body the best opportunity to function efficiently.
Postpartum: The Part We Talk About Less
If pregnancy is an adaptation, postpartum is a recalibration.
After birth, whether vaginal or cesarean, the body is healing while simultaneously learning entirely new movement patterns. Feeding positions, lifting, carrying, rocking, and functioning on broken sleep all layer mechanical stress onto a system that is already recovering.
As a postpartum chiropractor I commonly see:
- Upper back and neck tension from feeding
- Rib discomfort
- Low back instability
- Persistent pelvic discomfort
- Core weakness
- A general sense of “my body just feels off”
What often surprises women is that postpartum discomfort isn’t just about muscles. It’s also about the nervous system.
Sleep deprivation, hormonal shifts, and the cognitive load of caring for a newborn can heighten sensitivity to pain and tension. Chiropractic care during this stage focuses not only on joint mechanics, but also on supporting nervous system regulation.
Becoming a mother deepened my understanding of this. Postpartum isn’t a return to “normal.” It’s a transition, a rebuild into someone new. And that deserves thoughtful support!
C-Section Recovery & Scar Tissue
For mothers who have had a cesarean birth, scar healing plays a larger role than many expect.
Scar tissue can influence fascial tension through the abdominal wall and into the rest of the body. Restricted scar mobility may contribute to altered posture, reduced core engagement, or pulling sensations with movement.
I incorporate scar-focused therapy, including Dolphin Neurostim (MPS therapy) when appropriate to support:
- Improved scar mobility
- Reduced adhesions
- Decreased sensitivity
- Better functional abdominal movement
Scar care is not cosmetic. It’s mechanical!
Pediatric Chiropractic Care: Supporting Babies Early
Birth is also a significant physical event for infants.
During labour and delivery babies experience compressive and rotational forces. Some adapt easily. Others may develop tension patterns that influence feeding, head positioning, or comfort.
As a pediatric chiropractor, I provide gentle, evidence-based care that focuses on helping with tension patterns and oral motor dysfunction.
Families often seek pediatric chiropractic care for:
- Breastfeeding challenges
- Oral motor tension
- Support alongside tongue or lip tie care
- Torticollis (head preference)
- Plagiocephaly (head shape asymmetry)
- Digestive discomfort
I work collaboratively with midwives, doulas, IBCLCs, pelvic health physiotherapists, and family physicians to ensure comprehensive care.
Chiropractic is one piece of a larger support system.
Why Pediatric Chiropractic Work Matters
Supporting pregnancy, postpartum recovery, and infants is not just about symptom relief.
It’s about biomechanics.
It’s about nervous system regulation.
It’s about helping the body adapt to one of the most profound transitions it will ever experience.
Pregnancy and motherhood are transformative. Your care should reflect that. I would be honoured to support you!
By Dr. Rachel Green, Pediatric Chiropractor in Burlington, ON.