Pregnancy Discomfort That Gets in the Way of Daily Life
Pregnancy places significant physical demands on the body. As your center of gravity shifts, your spine, pelvis, and surrounding muscles adapt to carry additional weight, often resulting in lower back pain, round ligament discomfort, sciatica, and pelvic girdle pain. These are not symptoms you simply have to endure.
For many women, the discomfort compounds week by week. Sleep becomes difficult. Long periods of standing or sitting become painful. Activities that felt normal before pregnancy now require careful management. The source of this discomfort is often biomechanical, rooted in how the pelvis and lumbar spine are positioned and moving as the pregnancy progresses.
Chiropractic care addresses these structural changes directly, without medication. When the pelvis is properly aligned, the nerves, muscles, and ligaments supporting the pregnancy have the space and function they need.
What Is Prenatal Chiropractic Care?
Prenatal chiropractic care focuses on maintaining proper spinal alignment and pelvic balance throughout pregnancy. As the body changes, the pelvis can shift out of alignment, placing uneven tension on the uterus and surrounding ligaments, restricting the space available for the baby to move and position correctly.
The Webster Technique is a specific chiropractic analysis and adjustment method developed for pregnant women. It addresses sacral misalignment and the associated dysfunction in the round ligaments of the uterus, helping to balance the pelvis and reduce intrauterine constraint. It is safe throughout all trimesters and is widely recognized as the standard of care for prenatal chiropractic treatment.
Prenatal Chiropractic Care at Hendrick Wellness Center
Hendrick Wellness Center has provided chiropractic care to pregnant patients in McAllen since 2006. Both Dr. Blaine Hendrick, DC, FNP-C and Dr. Jana Hendrick, DC have completed specialized training in prenatal and pediatric chiropractic, including the Webster Technique. Dr. Jana Hendrick also brings the additional perspective of working with women through every stage of pregnancy and postpartum recovery.
What makes the practice well-suited for prenatal care:
- Both doctors hold specialized training in Webster Technique and prenatal chiropractic management
- Dr. Blaine's dual licensure as a DC and Family Nurse Practitioner allows him to address the full picture of your health during pregnancy, including primary care concerns that arise alongside musculoskeletal symptoms
- Adjustments are gentle, tailored to each trimester, and use pregnancy-specific positioning with appropriate table support
Learn more about our team on the About page.
What to Expect at Your Prenatal Chiropractic Visit
Initial Assessment
Gentle Adjustment
Ongoing Care Plan
What Prenatal Chiropractic Care Can Help With
Reduced back and pelvic pain Restoring alignment to the lumbar spine and pelvis takes pressure off the joints and nerves most affected by pregnancy, reducing the aching and sharp pain many women experience daily.
Improved pelvic balance for baby positioning A balanced pelvis provides optimal space for the baby to move into a head-down position. Many midwives and OBs refer patients for Webster Technique specifically for this reason.
More comfortable sleep and daily activity Patients commonly report that regular chiropractic care during pregnancy makes it easier to sleep on their side, manage longer periods on their feet, and maintain their normal routine longer into the third trimester.
Frequently Asked Questions About Prenatal Chiropractic Care
Yes. Prenatal chiropractic care is considered safe throughout all three trimesters when performed by a chiropractor with specialized training. At Hendrick Wellness Center, both Dr. Blaine and Dr. Jana Hendrick have completed training specific to caring for pregnant patients, and all adjustments use pregnancy-appropriate positioning and force levels.
The Webster Technique is a chiropractic assessment and adjustment protocol designed to address sacral misalignment and reduce tension in the round ligaments of the uterus. It is commonly used to help establish pelvic balance, which may reduce pregnancy discomfort and support optimal baby positioning in the third trimester.
You can begin prenatal chiropractic care at any point in your pregnancy. Many patients start in the first or second trimester to stay ahead of the postural changes pregnancy brings. Others come in specifically during the third trimester for pelvic balance and birth preparation. There is no single right time, and your provider will tailor care to where you are in your pregnancy.
No referral is required to schedule a prenatal chiropractic appointment at Hendrick Wellness Center. If your OB or midwife has specific concerns or instructions, please let us know at your first visit so we can coordinate your care appropriately.
Yes, postpartum chiropractic care is also available. Delivery places significant strain on the sacrum, pelvis, and lower back, and many patients benefit from one or more postpartum visits to support recovery. Ask your provider at your prenatal visit about scheduling postpartum care in advance.
Book Your Prenatal Chiropractic Appointment in McAllen
Hendrick Wellness Center has served pregnant patients in McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley since 2006. Dr. Blaine and Dr. Jana Hendrick are accepting new prenatal patients and welcome the opportunity to support you through your pregnancy.
Schedule your first appointment online or contact the clinic to discuss your care.
