Pregnancy changes how your body moves, carries weight and handles everyday activities. As your pregnancy progresses, it is common for the lower back, pelvis, hips, ribs and surrounding muscles to start working differently.
At Nottinghill Family Wellness Centre in Glen Abbey, Dr. Jenn Garven and Dr. Alex Greyvenstein provide chiropractic care for women experiencing musculoskeletal pain and stiffness during pregnancy and after delivery.
Our goal is straightforward: figure out what is actually causing the pain, modify treatment appropriately for pregnancy and help you stay as comfortable and mobile as possible.
Pregnancy-related back, pelvic or joint pain does not automatically mean you have to wait until the baby arrives for it to improve.
Pregnancy Chiropractic and Acupuncture in Oakville
Treatment during pregnancy is different from the way we may treat many of our other chiropractic patients.
We modify positioning, treatment techniques and intensity based on your stage of pregnancy, symptoms, comfort and health history. Some of the modalities commonly used elsewhere in our clinic are not appropriate during pregnancy, so care relies more heavily on appropriate hands-on chiropractic treatment, joint mobilization, muscle treatment, movement advice and exercise.
Dr. Jenn Garven can also incorporate contemporary medical acupuncture when it is appropriate.
Pregnancy Acupuncture in Oakville With Dr. Jenn
Dr. Jenn provides contemporary medical acupuncture at our Oakville clinic and completed the Contemporary Medical Acupuncture Program through McMaster University.
For pregnant patients, acupuncture is considered only after an appropriate assessment and is modified specifically for pregnancy. Dr. Jenn needs to know that you are pregnant before acupuncture treatment begins because point selection and treatment techniques need to be appropriate for pregnancy.
Acupuncture may be considered for selected pregnancy-related musculoskeletal complaints, including low back, pelvic girdle and muscular pain.
A randomized controlled trial involving 386 pregnant women with pelvic girdle pain compared standard treatment, standard treatment plus stabilizing exercises and standard treatment plus acupuncture. The acupuncture group demonstrated greater reductions in pain than standard treatment in that study. Read the randomized controlled trial on PubMed.
A separate systematic review examining acupuncture safety during pregnancy reported that treatment-related adverse events were generally mild or moderate and concluded that acupuncture appeared to be associated with few adverse events when correctly applied. Read the pregnancy acupuncture safety review on PubMed.
Acupuncture is not automatically part of every pregnancy chiropractic visit. Dr. Jenn will recommend it only when it makes sense for the individual patient.
Learn more about Acupuncture in Oakville with Dr. Jenn.
Common Reasons Pregnant Patients See a Chiropractor
The most common problems we see during pregnancy involve the lower back, sacroiliac joints, pelvis, hips and surrounding muscles.
Pregnant patients can also experience sciatica-type pain, rib and mid-back discomfort, neck and shoulder tension, or pain that makes sleeping, walking, getting out of a chair or rolling over in bed uncomfortable.
The important part is determining where the pain is actually coming from rather than simply calling everything “pregnancy back pain.”
Low Back Pain During Pregnancy
Low back pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal complaints during pregnancy.
As the abdomen grows, the way load is distributed through the lumbar spine changes. Daily activities such as prolonged standing, sitting, lifting, getting out of bed and carrying other children can become increasingly uncomfortable.
Our chiropractors assess the lumbar joints, surrounding muscles, movement and other structures that may be contributing to the problem before deciding how treatment should be modified.
If lower back pain is your main complaint, read our complete Low Back Pain Treatment in Oakville page.
SI Joint and Pelvic Girdle Pain During Pregnancy
Pain around one or both sides of the pelvis or around the dimples of the lower back can involve the sacroiliac or SI joints.
Pregnancy-related pelvic girdle and SI joint pain can make walking, climbing stairs, standing on one leg, getting in and out of a car and rolling over in bed uncomfortable.
When the SI joint or pelvic girdle appears to be contributing to the problem, treatment is directed toward improving comfortable movement and reducing irritation rather than simply applying the same adjustment to every patient.
For a deeper explanation of this area, see our SI Joint Treatment in Oakville page.
Sciatica During Pregnancy
Pain travelling from the lower back or buttock into the leg is often described as sciatica.
Not every pain that travels into the leg is true sciatic nerve compression. Symptoms can originate from the lumbar spine, SI joint, gluteal region, piriformis or irritation involving a nerve.
That is why we assess the problem before treating it.
Pregnancy also changes which positions and treatment options are comfortable and appropriate.
If you are experiencing pain travelling into the buttock or leg, read more about Sciatica Treatment in Oakville.
Hip and Gluteal Pain During Pregnancy
The hip and gluteal muscles often work harder as posture, walking pattern and load change during pregnancy.
Pain can develop around the outside of the hip, deep in the buttock or around the back of the pelvis. Treatment depends on which tissues appear to be involved and may include hands-on muscle treatment, joint mobilization, appropriate chiropractic treatment and exercises that can be performed comfortably during pregnancy.
Patients experiencing persistent pain around the hip can also read our Hip Pain Treatment in Oakville page.
If the pain is deeper in the buttock or associated with sciatic-type symptoms, our Piriformis Syndrome Treatment page explains another possible source of symptoms.
Rib and Mid-Back Pain During Pregnancy
As the abdomen and rib cage change during pregnancy, some women begin experiencing pain through the middle back or around the ribs.
The discomfort can be sharp and localized or feel more like muscular pressure and stiffness around the shoulder blade or rib cage.
Our chiropractors can assess whether the pain appears musculoskeletal and whether pregnancy-appropriate hands-on treatment is reasonable.
For more information about mechanical rib and thoracic pain, see our Rib Pain and Rib Subluxation Treatment page.
How Chiropractic Treatment Changes During Pregnancy
We do not treat a pregnant patient exactly the same way we would treat every other person walking into the clinic.
Positioning and technique are modified so treatment remains comfortable. As pregnancy progresses, lying in certain positions can become uncomfortable, so treatment can be performed using alternative supported positions depending on the patient.
Treatment may include chiropractic joint mobilization or adjustments when appropriate, hands-on muscle treatment, mobility work, exercise and practical recommendations for activities that are aggravating the problem.
You can learn more about our overall approach on our Chiropractic Care and Treatment Services page.
The treatment has to fit the patient. The patient should not have to fit a predetermined treatment protocol.
Can You See a Chiropractor During the First, Second or Third Trimester?
Pregnant patients can develop musculoskeletal pain at different stages of pregnancy.
Some patients come in during the first trimester because an existing back or hip problem has flared up. Others begin experiencing symptoms later as their body changes and the physical load increases.
There is no single trimester in which every patient should begin chiropractic treatment.
The decision is based on your symptoms, medical history, stage of pregnancy and whether the problem appears appropriate for chiropractic care.
If there are medical concerns or pregnancy complications that need assessment by your physician, obstetrician or midwife first, we will tell you.
Chiropractic Care Does Not Replace Prenatal Medical Care
Dr. Jenn and Dr. Alex are treating the musculoskeletal problem. They are not managing your pregnancy.
Your family physician, obstetrician or midwife remains responsible for your prenatal medical care.
Symptoms such as vaginal bleeding, leaking fluid, fever, significant abdominal pain, contractions, sudden swelling, severe headache or other concerning changes require appropriate medical assessment rather than a chiropractic appointment.
Good pregnancy care includes knowing when something belongs in our clinic and when it does not.
Postpartum Chiropractor in Oakville
The physical demands do not end when the baby arrives.
Postpartum and postnatal patients frequently develop or continue to experience low back pain, SI joint pain, hip pain, neck, shoulder and mid-back discomfort.
Feeding positions, carrying the baby, lifting a car seat, disrupted sleep and spending hours looking down can place significant stress on areas that were already working differently during pregnancy.
Some women also continue to experience pelvic or lower back discomfort that began while they were pregnant.
Dr. Jenn and Dr. Alex can assess postpartum musculoskeletal pain and determine whether chiropractic care, hands-on treatment and progressive exercise are appropriate.
Recovery is different for every patient. Treatment after an uncomplicated delivery may look very different from treatment following significant complications or surgery, and recommendations are adjusted accordingly.
Meet Dr. Jenn Garven and Dr. Alex Greyvenstein
Dr. Jenn Garven and Dr. Alex Greyvenstein provide chiropractic care at Nottinghill Family Wellness Centre in Glen Abbey, Oakville.
Dr. Jenn combines chiropractic care with contemporary medical acupuncture when acupuncture is appropriate for the patient’s condition. She completed her Contemporary Medical Acupuncture training through McMaster University and can incorporate acupuncture into the management of selected pregnancy-related musculoskeletal complaints.
Dr. Alex has a background in kinesiology and takes an evidence-informed approach that combines hands-on chiropractic care, movement assessment, exercise and patient education. Learn more about Dr. Alex Greyvenstein.
Both chiropractors modify care to the individual patient rather than using the same treatment on everyone.
Research on Chiropractic Care During Pregnancy
Pregnancy-related low back pain and pelvic girdle pain have been studied in chiropractic and other conservative-care research.
A 2020 systematic review specifically examined chiropractic care and interventions commonly used by chiropractors for pregnancy-related low back pain and pelvic girdle pain. The authors concluded that the overall evidence was not conclusive, although several interventions had favorable or potentially favorable evidence. Read the 2020 systematic review on PubMed.
A separate best-practice consensus published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics developed recommendations specifically for chiropractic assessment and management of pregnant and postpartum patients with low back pain and pelvic girdle pain. The consensus addressed examination, informed consent, multidisciplinary care, interventions and postpartum management. Read the pregnancy and postpartum chiropractic best-practice recommendations on PubMed.
That is consistent with how we approach these patients in the clinic: identify the musculoskeletal problem, adapt care to pregnancy, use treatment that is appropriate for the individual and refer when something falls outside our scope.
What to Expect at Your First Pregnancy Chiropractic Appointment
Your first visit starts with a discussion about where you are hurting, when the problem started, how far along you are in your pregnancy, what makes the pain better or worse and whether there are pregnancy complications or other medical concerns we need to know about.
Dr. Jenn or Dr. Alex will then perform an appropriate musculoskeletal examination focusing on the areas that appear to be contributing to the problem.
If chiropractic treatment is appropriate, treatment can usually begin once the assessment is completed and the plan has been explained.
There is no reason to do more treatment than you need. We reassess based on how you are responding.
Book a chiropractic assessment at our Oakville clinic.
Why Pregnant Patients Choose Our Oakville Chiropractic Clinic
Nottinghill Family Wellness Centre has been treating patients in Glen Abbey for nearly 20 years and has more than 830 five-star Google reviews. You can see more on our Chiropractic Patient Testimonials page.
Our clinic is open six days a week and offers direct insurance billing when the patient’s individual insurance plan allows it.
Most importantly, pregnancy treatment is individualized.
If you are looking specifically for a female chiropractor during pregnancy, you can book with Dr. Jenn Garven. If you would prefer to see Dr. Alex, learn more about Dr. Alex Greyvenstein.
Contact our Oakville chiropractic clinic to book.
Pregnancy Chiropractor Oakville FAQs
Is chiropractic care safe during pregnancy?
Chiropractic care can be considered for many uncomplicated pregnancies when an appropriate assessment has been completed and treatment techniques and positioning are adapted to the pregnant patient.
Pregnancy complications or concerning symptoms may require assessment by your physician, obstetrician or midwife before treatment.
Research specifically addressing chiropractic management during pregnancy is discussed in this systematic review of pregnancy-related low back and pelvic girdle pain and these best-practice recommendations for pregnant and postpartum chiropractic patients.
Can a chiropractor help with back pain during pregnancy?
Pregnancy-related back pain can involve the lumbar joints, sacroiliac joints, muscles and other structures around the spine and pelvis.
Chiropractic treatment is one conservative option that may be considered when the pain is musculoskeletal. The first step is determining which structures appear to be involved.
Read more about our Low Back Pain Treatment.
Can chiropractic help SI joint or pelvic girdle pain during pregnancy?
SI joint and pelvic girdle pain can occur during pregnancy. Pregnancy-appropriate manual treatment, movement modification and exercise may be considered depending on the individual diagnosis and examination findings.
Learn more about SI Joint Pain Treatment.
Can I have acupuncture while pregnant?
Dr. Jenn provides contemporary medical acupuncture to selected pregnant patients after an assessment.
Acupuncture during pregnancy requires appropriate point and technique selection, so patients should always tell Dr. Jenn that they are pregnant before treatment.
Research includes a randomized controlled trial of acupuncture for pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain and a systematic review examining acupuncture safety during pregnancy.
When should I start seeing a chiropractor during pregnancy?
There is no required starting week.
Most patients contact us because pain or stiffness has begun interfering with walking, sleeping, working, exercise or everyday activities. Treatment recommendations are then based on your symptoms and stage of pregnancy.
Can I see a chiropractor in the third trimester?
Pregnant patients can still be assessed later in pregnancy when musculoskeletal pain develops. Positioning and treatment techniques are modified based on the patient’s stage of pregnancy and comfort.
Can a chiropractor treat sciatica during pregnancy?
Symptoms travelling from the lower back or buttock into the leg need to be assessed because not every case is caused by the same structure.
When the symptoms are musculoskeletal and chiropractic care is appropriate, treatment is modified for the pregnant patient.
Read more about Sciatica Treatment in Oakville.
Can I see a chiropractor after having a baby?
Yes. Postpartum patients commonly seek care for ongoing low back, SI joint, hip, neck and mid-back problems.
The assessment and treatment plan should take into account the type of delivery, recovery, complications if any, and the physical demands of caring for the baby.
Do I need a referral for a pregnancy chiropractor in Oakville?
You can book a chiropractic assessment directly.
Some extended health insurance plans have their own reimbursement requirements, so it is worth confirming the details of your individual plan. Learn more about our insurance and direct billing options.
How do I choose the best chiropractor for pregnancy in Oakville?
Look for a chiropractor who performs a proper assessment, modifies care specifically for pregnancy, clearly explains what they are treating, stays within their scope and is comfortable referring back to your medical or maternity-care team when necessary.
At Nottinghill Family Wellness Centre, pregnant and postpartum patients can book with Dr. Jenn Garven or Dr. Alex Greyvenstein.
Book a Pregnancy Chiropractor in Oakville
If pregnancy-related back, SI joint, hip, rib or muscular pain is making it harder to sleep, walk, work or stay active, you do not necessarily have to wait until after delivery to address it.
Book a pregnancy chiropractic assessment with Dr. Jenn Garven or Dr. Alex Greyvenstein at Nottinghill Family Wellness Centre in Glen Abbey, Oakville.
Dr. Jenn can also incorporate pregnancy-appropriate acupuncture when it is appropriate for your condition.
Call: 905-827-4197
Text: 289-228-8858