When an expectant mother asks if it is safe to “pop her back,” the answer depends on whether she means professional spinal adjustment or self-manipulation. Professional care, such as chiropractic adjustment or physical therapy, is generally considered safe throughout a normal pregnancy when performed by a trained provider. This care offers a non-pharmacological approach to managing the significant musculoskeletal changes that occur during gestation. In contrast, self-manipulation is strongly discouraged due to the heightened risks associated with the pregnant body.
Safety of Professional Spinal Adjustments During Pregnancy
Qualified healthcare professionals, such as chiropractors or physical therapists, employ specific protocols to ensure the safety of both the mother and the developing baby. These practitioners often seek additional certification in prenatal care, such as the Webster Technique, which focuses on sacral balance. Specialized equipment, including tables with removable sections or supportive pillows, is used to accommodate the growing abdomen safely.
Adjustments are performed using gentle, modified techniques and lower force than a standard adjustment. The increased production of the hormone relaxin causes natural ligament laxity, meaning less force is required for an effective adjustment. Practitioners also use modified positioning, often utilizing side-lying techniques to avoid placing pressure on the abdomen, particularly in later trimesters.
How Adjustments Target Pregnancy-Related Discomforts
Pregnancy causes substantial biomechanical and hormonal shifts that lead to common musculoskeletal discomforts. The growing weight of the baby causes the mother’s center of gravity to shift forward, often resulting in an increased lumbar curve, known as lordosis. These changes place stress on the spine, hips, and pelvis, frequently leading to conditions like low back pain, pelvic girdle pain, and sciatica. Targeted adjustments work to correct misalignments that result from these postural adaptations. By restoring balance to the pelvis and spine, manipulation helps reduce muscular tension and nerve irritation, providing pain relief without medication.
Medical Situations That Prevent Spinal Manipulation
Several medical situations serve as absolute contraindications, preventing the use of professional spinal manipulation during pregnancy. These issues often relate to systemic problems or high-risk pregnancy complications requiring immediate medical intervention. Expectant mothers with a history of preeclampsia, placenta previa, or undiagnosed vaginal bleeding should not receive spinal manipulation until cleared by their obstetric provider. Conditions that compromise bone integrity, such as severe osteoporosis or certain types of bone cancer, also make manipulation unsafe due to the risk of fracture. Systemic infections, active inflammatory arthritis, and signs of neurological deficit, such as sudden foot drop, must be investigated before any manual therapy is considered.
The Risks of Attempting Self-Manipulation
Attempting to “pop your back” by twisting, stretching forcefully, or using at-home devices during pregnancy carries significant risks. The increased presence of relaxin makes ligaments and joints hypermobile. This means that an unguided, forceful movement could easily overstretch ligaments or destabilize a joint beyond its natural range of motion. Without professional training, it is impossible to accurately diagnose the source of the pain or apply the proper force, which can lead to soft tissue injury, muscle strain, or joint sprain. Self-manipulation often involves uncontrolled, rotational movements that place undue torsion on the already stressed lower back and pelvis.