In short, yes! Of course! As a chiropractor, I have been caring for moms-to-be for the past twenty-five years. I am sure it’s no surprise that I was adjusted regularly during my own pregnancies, and I did the same for my daughter during her recent pregnancy. It’s safe and feels great. But you may be shocked to learn that getting adjusted while you’re pregnant does more than help back pain and sciatica – optimizing mom’s pelvic and spinal alignment could lead to easier and more natural deliveries too!
A new study published in the Journal of Pediatric Maternal & Family Health Chiropractic adds to the growing body of evidence supporting chiropractic care as a safe, non-invasive option for pregnant women experiencing breech presentation and musculoskeletal discomfort. This study highlights a 32-year-old mother expecting her third child. She was experiencing intense low back and pelvic pain during her third trimester. The discomfort made it difficult for her to sleep, care for her young children, or even stand for long periods. At 35 weeks pregnant, doctors discovered that her baby was in a frank breech position—meaning the baby’s bottom was down and legs were extended upward toward the head, instead of head-down for birth.
Wanting to avoid surgery if possible and seeking relief from her pain, she turned to chiropractic care. Her chiropractor used a specialized pregnancy technique called the Webster Technique, which focuses on balancing the pelvis and reducing tension in the surrounding muscles and ligaments. The goal wasn’t to turn the baby directly, but to restore balance in the mother’s body so the baby could move more freely into the best position for birth.
Over the course of several visits, her back and hip pain improved significantly. Then, at just over 37 weeks, something amazing happened—her baby, once breech, was born naturally in the head-down position. No surgery. No external procedures. Just a body that could finally work the way it was meant to.
The success of this case is linked to the biomechanical and neurological effects of chiropractic adjustments. According to Dr. McCoy, Editor of the journal, “The nervous system controls and coordinates all functions of the body, and structural shifts in the spine can occur that obstruct the nerves and interfere with their function. These structural shifts can lead to obstruction of the nerves, and it is this obstruction, called vertebral subluxations, that chiropractors correct. By removing the structural shifts, chiropractic improves nerve supply and function.”
Specifically, sacral and pelvic misalignments can create tension and imbalance in the muscles and ligaments supporting the uterus—such as the psoas, piriformis, and round ligaments—which may contribute to intrauterine constraint. By reducing this tension and improving pelvic balance, the Webster Technique helps create an optimal environment for the baby to move freely into the correct position for birth.
The study emphasizes that chiropractic does not treat breech presentation directly but rather focuses on optimizing spinal and pelvic alignment to allow the body—and baby—to function more effectively. This case is one of several adding clinical support to the Webster Technique’s role in promoting maternal comfort and ideal fetal positioning. The study’s author called for additional research to investigate the clinical implications of chiropractic in this population.
This case shows how chiropractic care can support a more comfortable pregnancy and help create the right conditions for a safer, easier birth—even when challenges like breech presentation arise. For decades midwifes have referred to chiropractors like our doctors at Crossroads Chiropractic to care for their clients. It is an honor to be part of the birth story by caring for mom and baby through subluxation-focused chiropractic care. For more information and research about chiropractic care during pregnancy explore the International Pediatric Association website at www.ICPA4kids.org.
Resolution of MRI Confirmed Breech Presentation and Pelvic Girdle Pain in a Pregnant Woman Undergoing Chiropractic Care: A Case Report & Review of the Literature. Megan Stavalone DC, CACCP & Joel Alcantara, DC, PhD. Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health, Chiropractic. October 6, 2025 ~ Volume 2025 ~ Pages 79-86