Pregnancy and postpartum are transformative times—physically, emotionally, and in ways that are hard to put into words. Your body is doing something extraordinary, adapting week by week to support new life and then recovering after birth.
Along with that transformation often comes discomfort. Lower back pain. Hip instability. Trouble sleeping. Neck and shoulder tension. Pelvic pain that makes walking difficult. These experiences are common, but they don’t have to be something you simply endure.
Chiropractic care offers a gentle, evidence-informed approach to support your body during pregnancy and postpartum. At The Wellness Tribe in Denver, Colorado, we specialize in prenatal and postnatal care, helping you move more comfortably, sleep better, and feel supported as your body changes. Our founder, Dr. Maggie McInnes, brings a vitalistic, holistic perspective to family wellness, working alongside your birth team to optimize your health during this important time.
How Pregnancy Changes Your Body (And Why Alignment Matters)
During pregnancy, your body goes through remarkable transformations to accommodate your growing baby. These changes are necessary—and they can also throw your alignment off balance in ways you might not expect.
What’s Happening Inside Your Body
Your center of gravity shifts forward. As your belly grows, your body compensates by changing the way you stand, walk, and sit. This forward shift means your lower back works harder to keep you upright, which is why many pregnant people feel that persistent ache in their lumbar spine by the end of the day. You might notice yourself swaying backward when you walk or placing a hand on your lower back for support—your body is adapting, but it’s working overtime.
Your pelvis widens and tilts to prepare for birth. The hormone relaxin softens ligaments and joints throughout your body. While this is essential for delivery, it also means your pelvis becomes less stable. You might feel sharp pains when you roll over in bed, climb stairs, or get in and out of the car. Some people describe it as feeling like their pelvis is shifting out of place.
Chiropractic care helps maintain balance and stability even as your body prepares for birth.
Your spine curves more in the lower back. This increased lumbar lordosis is your body’s way of counterbalancing the weight of your belly. But this new curve can strain the muscles along your spine, compress spinal nerves, and lead to radiating pain down your legs. Many people think this is just normal pregnancy discomfort, but it doesn’t have to be your reality for nine months.
Your rib cage expands to make room for your baby. As your uterus grows upward, it pushes against your diaphragm and rib cage. This can cause rib pain, difficulty taking deep breaths, and a feeling of being squeezed from the inside. Some people experience sharp pains under their ribs, especially on the right side, or feel like they can’t fully inflate their lungs. Chiropractic adjustments to the thoracic spine and ribs can help restore mobility and ease this discomfort.
Your posture adapts—often in ways that cause pain. Rounded shoulders, forward head posture, and upper back tension become common as your body tries to balance the weight of your growing belly and breasts. You might notice tension headaches, neck stiffness, or a burning sensation between your shoulder blades. These postural changes don’t just affect your comfort—they can also impact your breathing, digestion, and overall energy levels.
Common Complaints We See at The Wellness Tribe
- Lower back pain that gets worse as the day goes on or after standing for long periods
- Hip and pelvic pain that makes it hard to walk, climb stairs, or roll over in bed
- Sciatica (shooting pain down the back of your leg, often on one side)
- Round ligament pain (sharp, stabbing pain in your lower abdomen or groin when you move suddenly)
- Neck and shoulder tension that leads to headaches or difficulty turning your head
- Difficulty sleeping comfortably because every position seems to hurt
- Pubic symphysis dysfunction (pain in the front of your pelvis, sometimes severe enough to make walking difficult)
- Rib pain that makes it hard to breathe deeply or lie on your side
- Tailbone pain, especially when sitting or transitioning from sitting to standing
Chiropractic care focuses on restoring balance and alignment to your spine and pelvis, which can help ease these discomforts and support your body as it changes week by week.
Is Chiropractic Care Safe During Pregnancy?
Yes—when performed by chiropractors trained in prenatal care like our team at The Wellness Tribe.
Research consistently shows that chiropractic care during pregnancy is safe and effective for managing musculoskeletal pain. A study published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics found that 75% of pregnant patients reported relief from back pain after receiving chiropractic care. Adverse events from prenatal chiropractic care are extremely rare when care is provided by a trained professional.
Our founder, Dr. Maggie McInnes, is certified in the Webster Technique, a specific chiropractic analysis and adjustment designed to optimize pelvic alignment during pregnancy. The Webster Technique is gentle, non-invasive, and specifically tailored to the unique needs of pregnant individuals. It’s about removing tension and imbalance so your body can function optimally.
What Makes Prenatal Chiropractic Different from Regular Adjustments?
Special positioning for your comfort and safety. At The Wellness Tribe, we use pregnancy pillows and specialized positioning techniques so you can lie comfortably without putting any pressure on your abdomen. You’ll never be asked to lie flat on your stomach. Many pregnant people are surprised by how comfortable they feel during adjustments.
Gentle, low-force techniques designed for pregnancy. Prenatal chiropractic is gentle and controlled. We use techniques that work with your body’s natural movement patterns, often using light pressure and specific angles to restore alignment. There’s no forceful twisting or aggressive adjustments. Many adjustments feel like a gentle stretch or release of tension.
Focus on the pelvis, sacrum, and round ligaments. The Webster Technique specifically addresses imbalances in the pelvis and the muscles and ligaments that support it, including the round ligaments that attach your uterus to your pelvis. When these structures are balanced, your uterus has more room to expand symmetrically, which can reduce discomfort and may support optimal fetal positioning. We pay close attention to the sacroiliac joints, which are often a major source of pain during pregnancy.
Collaborative care with your birth team. We work alongside your OB-GYN, midwife, doula, and any other providers on your care team. We’re not here to replace your obstetric care—we’re here to complement it. Many midwives and obstetricians in the Denver area actively refer their patients to The Wellness Tribe because they see the difference that chiropractic care makes in their patients’ comfort and birth outcomes.
Benefits of Chiropractic Care During Pregnancy
Relief from Back and Hip Pain
Lower back pain affects up to 70% of pregnant individuals, according to research in BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth. Just because it’s common doesn’t mean you have to live with it.
Chiropractic adjustments help realign your spine and pelvis, reduce muscle tension, and take pressure off compressed nerves. Many people experience significant, lasting relief that allows them to stay active, sleep better, and enjoy their pregnancy.
At The Wellness Tribe, we don’t just adjust your spine. We teach you specific stretches, strengthening exercises, and postural strategies you can use at home to maintain the benefits of your adjustments between visits. You’ll learn how to sit, stand, and move in ways that support your changing body.
Better Pelvic Alignment for Labor
When your pelvis is properly aligned, your baby has more room to move into the optimal position for birth—head-down, facing your back, with their chin tucked. This is called the occiput anterior position, and it’s associated with shorter, less complicated labors.
The Webster Technique is specifically designed to address imbalances in the pelvis and the muscles and ligaments that attach to it. By releasing tension in the round ligaments, psoas muscles, and piriformis muscles, and by ensuring the sacrum and SI joints are moving properly, we create a more balanced environment for your baby.
While chiropractic care doesn’t “turn breech babies,” creating balance in the pelvis may support your baby’s ability to move into a better position naturally. Research published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics found that 82% of practitioners using the Webster Technique reported successful outcomes when working with breech presentations. That doesn’t mean we can guarantee your baby will turn—there are many factors that influence fetal positioning—but we can create the best possible environment for it to happen.
We’ve worked with many Denver-area families whose babies were breech or transverse in the third trimester. By addressing pelvic imbalances and supporting overall nervous system function, we’ve helped create the conditions for babies to move into better positions, sometimes avoiding the need for external cephalic version or cesarean delivery.
Improved Sleep Quality
Between frequent bathroom trips, an active baby at night, and struggling to find a comfortable position, quality sleep can feel impossible during pregnancy. You’ve tried the pregnancy pillow mountain, and you’re still waking up multiple times a night with hip pain, back pain, or numb arms.
Chiropractic care can help by reducing the pain that keeps you awake. When your spine and pelvis are aligned, the muscles around them can relax. That persistent ache in your lower back or the sharp pain in your hips when you roll over often improves with consistent chiropractic care.
We can help restore balance so that side sleeping actually feels restful. Many people don’t realize how much upper body tension contributes to poor sleep. When your neck and shoulders are tight, it’s hard to relax your nervous system enough to fall into deep, restorative sleep. Adjustments to your thoracic spine and cervical spine can make a noticeable difference in your ability to relax and rest.
Better sleep isn’t just about comfort—it’s essential for your physical recovery, mental health, and your baby’s development.
Support for Labor and Delivery
When your pelvis is balanced and your nervous system is functioning optimally, your body is better equipped to handle the demands of labor. Labor is a coordinated process between your uterus, your pelvis, your baby, and your nervous system. If your pelvis is misaligned or your nervous system is stressed, that coordination becomes more difficult.
Some studies suggest that chiropractic care during pregnancy may be associated with shorter labor times and reduced need for interventions. A study in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics found that first-time mothers who received chiropractic care during pregnancy had 24% shorter labor times, while experienced mothers had 39% shorter labors.
We can’t promise you a specific birth outcome—there are many variables involved in labor and delivery. But what we can do is help your body function at its best going into labor. When your pelvis moves freely, when your baby has room to descend and rotate, and when your nervous system is balanced, you’re setting yourself up for the best possible birth experience.
Many of our patients report that they felt more confident going into labor knowing their bodies were aligned and prepared.
Support for Your Nervous System
Chiropractic care isn’t just about your bones and muscles—it’s about your nervous system, which controls everything in your body.
Your spine houses your spinal cord, which sends messages between your brain and every organ, tissue, and cell in your body—including your uterus and your baby. When vertebrae are misaligned or not moving properly (what chiropractors call subluxations), it can interfere with nervous system function.
When we remove the interference, everything flows better—your body can adapt more easily, heal more effectively, and function more optimally.
During pregnancy, your nervous system is working harder than ever. It’s coordinating all the changes in your body, supporting your baby’s growth and development, and preparing you for labor. When your nervous system is balanced and functioning well, your body is better able to:
- Regulate hormones (including the hormones that trigger and coordinate labor)
- Manage stress and anxiety
- Sleep deeply and restoratively
- Digest food and absorb nutrients
- Maintain healthy blood pressure
- Coordinate the complex process of labor and delivery
This is the vitalistic approach we’re passionate about at The Wellness Tribe—we’re not just treating symptoms, we’re supporting your body’s innate intelligence and ability to heal and adapt.
Postpartum Chiropractic Care: Supporting Your Recovery
The postpartum period is a time of profound change. Your body is recovering from pregnancy and birth, adapting to feeding your baby, and adjusting to the physical demands of caring for a newborn.
Your body just did something incredible. Whether you had a vaginal birth or a cesarean, whether your labor was two hours or two days, your body needs support to recover. And that recovery doesn’t just happen on its own—it requires intentional care and attention.
Postpartum chiropractic care can help you:
Realign your pelvis and spine after the shifts of pregnancy and birth. During delivery (regardless of how you gave birth), your pelvis goes through significant stress and strain. Your SI joints may have shifted, your pubic symphysis may have separated more than usual, and the muscles of your pelvic floor and core are stretched and weakened. Chiropractic care helps restore alignment so your body can heal properly instead of compensating around imbalances.
Address new aches and pains from nursing, carrying your baby, and caring for a newborn. Upper back pain between your shoulder blades from feeding sessions, wrist pain from constantly lifting and holding your baby, lower back pain from wearing your baby in a carrier or carrying a car seat—these aren’t things you just have to live with.
We can help address these issues and teach you better positioning and body mechanics to prevent them from getting worse.
Support your core and pelvic floor recovery. Chiropractic care complements pelvic floor physical therapy. While a pelvic floor PT works directly on the pelvic floor muscles, we address the alignment of your pelvis, sacrum, and spine, which provides the foundation for pelvic floor function. Many people find that when their pelvis is properly aligned, their pelvic floor rehab progresses more quickly.
Restore balance to your nervous system to support healing and overall wellness. The postpartum period is physically and emotionally demanding. Your nervous system is often in overdrive from sleep deprivation, hormone fluctuations, and the constant demands of caring for a newborn. Chiropractic care helps shift your nervous system into a more balanced state, where healing and recovery can happen more effectively.
Improve posture as you navigate the physical demands of new parenthood. Feeding, holding, rocking, changing diapers, buckling car seats, pushing strollers—all of these activities can strain your body if it isn’t properly aligned. We help you develop better body awareness and teach you strategies to protect your spine and joints as you care for your baby.
Common Postpartum Issues Chiropractic Care Can Help With
Upper back and neck pain from feeding. Whether you’re nursing or bottle-feeding, you’re spending hours every day in a hunched forward position. This leads to tension in your upper back muscles, tightness in your chest, and strain on your neck. Many new parents also develop tension headaches from this posture. We can adjust your thoracic and cervical spine, release muscle tension, and teach you better feeding positions.
Wrist pain from repetitive lifting and holding. You’re lifting your baby dozens of times a day, often at awkward angles. This can lead to wrist pain, thumb pain (sometimes called “mommy thumb” or De Quervain’s tenosynovitis), and carpal tunnel-like symptoms. Chiropractic care can address restrictions in your wrist, elbow, and shoulder that contribute to these issues.
Lower back pain from carrying your baby, car seat, or diaper bag. That infant car seat is heavy, and you’re probably carrying it on one side of your body, creating imbalances. Add in wearing your baby in a carrier, bending over the crib, and lifting your growing baby, and it’s no wonder your lower back hurts. We can help restore balance and teach you proper lifting mechanics.
Pelvic instability or pain that persists after delivery. Some people experience ongoing SI joint pain, pubic symphysis pain, or a feeling that their pelvis is still loose or unstable months after giving birth. This can make walking, exercising, or even just getting through daily activities difficult.
Chiropractic care combined with appropriate strengthening exercises can help restore stability.
Headaches and tension from stress and postural strain. New parent life is demanding, and stress often manifests as tension in your neck and shoulders, leading to headaches. We can address the structural component of these headaches while also supporting your nervous system’s ability to handle stress.
Diastasis recti (abdominal separation). While chiropractic care doesn’t directly close diastasis recti, ensuring proper alignment of your pelvis and rib cage provides the foundation for effective core rehab. We often work collaboratively with pelvic floor physical therapists to support your complete recovery.
What to Expect During Your Visit at The Wellness Tribe
Your first visit with us is thorough and personalized. We take the time to understand you, your pregnancy or postpartum journey, and your wellness goals. We’ll assess your posture, movement, and alignment, and create a personalized care plan designed specifically for you.
Adjustments at The Wellness Tribe are gentle, comfortable, and customized to your body and stage of pregnancy or postpartum recovery. We use low-force techniques and specialized equipment to ensure you feel safe and supported throughout your care. You’ll be positioned comfortably using pregnancy pillows and supportive bolsters, and we’ll explain everything before we do it.
Many people feel immediate relief after their first adjustment—less pain, better mobility, a sense of ease in their body. Some people feel a little sore the next day, similar to how you might feel after stretching or exercise. This is your body adjusting to the new alignment, and it typically resolves within a day or two.
Frequency of Care
How often you visit depends on your individual needs and where you are in your pregnancy or postpartum journey. During pregnancy, many people benefit from regular adjustments, especially in the third trimester when your body is changing most rapidly. Postpartum, you might come in more frequently in the early weeks as your body recovers, then transition to less frequent visits as you heal.
Many people continue chiropractic care as part of their ongoing wellness routine, because they’ve experienced the benefits of keeping their nervous system and spine functioning optimally.
Real Stories from Denver Families
“I started care in my second trimester when my lower back pain was making it hard to work and sleep. I’m a teacher, so I’m on my feet all day. After a few adjustments, I felt so much better—and I continued care throughout the rest of my pregnancy. My labor was only 6 hours as a first-time mom, and my midwife said my pelvis moved beautifully during delivery. I truly believe the care I received made a difference.” — Sarah, Denver
“I didn’t realize how much my body would change postpartum. Three months after giving birth, I was dealing with pelvic pain that made it hard to walk around the block with my baby. The Wellness Tribe helped me address my pelvic misalignment and gave me exercises to support my core. Within a few weeks, I was walking pain-free, and within a couple of months, I was back to hiking. I feel stronger and more like myself.” — Jessica, Englewood
“I was 36 weeks pregnant and my baby was breech. My OB was talking about scheduling a cesarean. I decided to try the Webster Technique. After two adjustments, my baby flipped head-down. I ended up having the unmedicated birth I was hoping for, and I continued care postpartum to help with my recovery.” — Amanda, Littleton
Evidence-Based Care: What the Research Says
Chiropractic care during pregnancy and postpartum is supported by a growing body of research:
Pain relief. Multiple studies show significant reductions in back pain, hip pain, and pelvic pain with chiropractic care during pregnancy. A study in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics found that 75% of pregnant patients reported relief from back pain after receiving chiropractic care.
Safety. Adverse events from prenatal chiropractic care are extremely rare. A review in the Journal of Midwifery & Women’s Health examined the safety of chiropractic care during pregnancy and concluded that it’s a low-risk treatment option for musculoskeletal pain.
Pelvic balance and fetal positioning. Research on the Webster Technique has shown promising results. A study in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics found that 82% of practitioners using the Webster Technique reported successful outcomes when working with breech presentations.
Quality of life. Pregnant individuals receiving chiropractic care report improvements in overall quality of life, physical function, and ability to perform daily activities. A study in Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice found that women who received chiropractic care during pregnancy had better physical functioning scores and less pain interference with daily activities.
Labor outcomes. Some research suggests potential benefits for labor. A study in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics found that first-time mothers who received chiropractic care had 24% shorter labor times, while experienced mothers had 39% shorter labors.
Practical Tips for a Healthy Pregnancy and Postpartum Recovery
In addition to chiropractic care, here are some strategies to support your body:
During Pregnancy:
- Sleep on your left side with a pillow between your knees to support your pelvis
- Stay active with gentle movement like walking, prenatal yoga, or swimming
- Practice good posture throughout the day
- Hydrate and nourish your body with whole foods and prenatal vitamins
- Stretch gently, focusing on your hips, lower back, and chest
Postpartum:
- Be patient with your body—recovery takes time
- Ask for help with household tasks and baby care so you can rest
- Work with a pelvic floor physical therapist if you’re experiencing pelvic pain, incontinence, or diastasis recti
- Prioritize sleep as much as possible
- Nourish yourself well, especially if you’re breastfeeding
When to Seek Chiropractic Care
You don’t need to wait until you’re in pain to start chiropractic care. Many people benefit most from proactive care throughout pregnancy.
Consider scheduling a consultation if you’re experiencing:
- Lower back, hip, or pelvic pain
- Sciatica or shooting leg pain
- Difficulty sleeping due to discomfort
- Neck and shoulder tension
- Round ligament pain
- Breech or transverse baby position in the third trimester
- Postpartum pain, instability, or difficulty returning to activity
Even if you feel well, chiropractic care can support your body’s natural adaptations and help you stay comfortable as your pregnancy progresses or as you recover postpartum.
Why Choose The Wellness Tribe for Prenatal and Postnatal Chiropractic Care?
At The Wellness Tribe in Denver, Colorado, we’re passionate about supporting families through every stage of life—from preconception to pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and beyond.
Our founder, Dr. Maggie McInnes, is a Colorado native and vitalistic chiropractor who brings warmth, expertise, and a deep commitment to whole-person wellness to every visit. She’s certified in the Webster Technique and has advanced training in prenatal and pediatric chiropractic care.
The Wellness Tribe offers:
- Personalized, gentle care tailored to your unique needs
- A welcoming, family-friendly environment on South Pearl Street in Denver
- Collaborative support—we work alongside your birth team, doula, midwife, or OB-GYN
- Holistic guidance on movement, nutrition, stress management, and lifestyle
Whether you’re navigating your first pregnancy or your fourth, The Wellness Tribe is here to help you feel your best.
About The Wellness Tribe | Perinatal Chiropractic in Denver, CO
The Wellness Tribe is a Denver-based chiropractic practice founded by Dr. Maggie McInnes, a vitalistic family, prenatal, and pediatric chiropractor. Located on South Pearl Street in the heart of Denver, Colorado, The Wellness Tribe offers holistic, gentle chiropractic care for the whole family.
We specialize in prenatal chiropractic care (including the Webster Technique), pediatric chiropractic, family wellness, and performance-based care. Our approach is rooted in the belief that your body has an innate intelligence and ability to heal when it’s functioning optimally. We’re passionate about empowering individuals and families to live life fully, healthfully, and wholeheartedly.
At The Wellness Tribe, we create a warm, welcoming space where you feel heard, supported, and cared for. We take the time to understand your unique needs and goals, and we partner with you to create a personalized care plan that supports your health and wellness journey.
Whether you’re pregnant, postpartum, seeking care for your child, or looking to optimize your performance and prevent injury, we’re here to support you.
Ready to learn more? Visit us at the-wellness-tribe.com or contact us to schedule your first visit. We’re located on South Pearl Street in Denver and serve families throughout the Denver metro area.
Take the Next Step
If you’re pregnant or in the postpartum period and curious about how chiropractic care could support you, we’d love to hear from you. Schedule a consultation to learn more about how we can help you feel more comfortable, move more freely, and support your body through this transformative time.
Your body is doing something extraordinary. Let us help you feel your best while you do it.
