Pregnancy and Pediatric Chiropractic Care

Pregnancy and childhood are important stages of life when the body is constantly changing. During pregnancy, a woman’s posture, weight distribution, pelvic mechanics, and center of gravity change as the baby develops. After birth, the mother’s body continues to adapt during the postpartum period.

Children also experience continuous changes as they grow. Their posture, spinal curves, balance, coordination, and musculoskeletal system develop throughout childhood.

At Nova Gonstead Chiropractic in Fairfax, Virginia, we provide individualized chiropractic care for pregnant women, postpartum mothers, infants, children, and families. As a Webster Trained Gonstead Chiropractor, Dr. Kang has additional training in the Webster Technique for pregnancy care.

Chiropractic Care During Pregnancy

Pregnancy produces significant changes throughout the body.

As the uterus grows, the center of gravity shifts forward. The abdominal muscles stretch, body weight increases, and the pelvis and spine experience changing mechanical demands. These changes can contribute to low back pain, pelvic discomfort, and other musculoskeletal symptoms.

Some women experience discomfort only during certain stages of pregnancy, while others may have symptoms that continue throughout pregnancy or into the postpartum period.

A careful chiropractic examination can evaluate the spine, pelvis, posture, and movement patterns to identify specific musculoskeletal findings.

The Webster Technique and Pregnancy

The Webster Technique is a specific chiropractic analysis and adjustment used during pregnancy. According to the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA), the technique focuses on the sacral and pelvic region and is intended to improve neurobiomechanical function.

Webster certification includes specific training and examination in the technique. The ICPA currently describes Webster as an assessment and adjustment for weight-bearing individuals, including pregnant women.

As a Webster Trained Gonstead Chiropractor, Dr. Kang incorporates this specialized approach when appropriate while continuing to evaluate each patient according to her individual clinical findings.

The goal is not to treat the baby or manually turn the baby. Rather, the chiropractic approach focuses on the mother’s musculoskeletal and pelvic biomechanics.

Why Pelvic Balance Matters During Pregnancy

The pelvis provides an important foundation for the spine and lower extremities.

As pregnancy progresses, hormonal changes increase ligament flexibility while the growing baby changes weight distribution and balance. These changes can alter the mechanical demands placed on the pelvis and lower back.

A chiropractic examination may evaluate:

• Sacral and pelvic mechanics
• Lumbar spine movement
• Posture
• Muscle tension
• Joint motion
• Weight distribution
• Changes in movement during pregnancy

The findings help determine whether chiropractic care is appropriate and what type of care may be considered.

Common Pregnancy-Related Musculoskeletal Complaints

Pregnant patients may seek chiropractic evaluation for:

• Low back pain
• Pelvic discomfort
• Hip discomfort
• Sacroiliac joint discomfort
• Sciatica-type symptoms
• Upper-back tension
• Neck discomfort
• Postural changes
• Muscle tension
• Difficulty maintaining comfortable movement

Back pain is particularly common during pregnancy. ACOG notes that the growing uterus, changes in the center of gravity, abdominal muscle changes, increased weight, and hormonal effects on the pelvic joints can all contribute to back discomfort.

Chiropractic Care After Pregnancy

The physical changes of pregnancy do not immediately disappear after delivery.

New mothers may experience additional physical demands from:

• Breastfeeding
• Carrying the baby
• Feeding positions
• Lifting and transferring the baby
• Repeated bending
• Sleeping in unusual positions
• Returning to work and exercise

These activities can place additional stress on the neck, shoulders, upper back, lower back, and pelvis.

Postpartum chiropractic care can include an individualized evaluation of spinal and pelvic mechanics and may be considered as part of a mother’s overall recovery.

Exercise is also an important part of postpartum health. ACOG recommends gradually returning to physical activity when medically appropriate and notes that exercise can help strengthen abdominal and back muscles and improve overall well-being.

Chiropractic Care for Infants and Children

Children are not simply small adults.

Because their bodies are developing, pediatric chiropractic care should be approached differently from adult chiropractic care.

At Nova Gonstead Chiropractic, pediatric care begins with an appropriate history and examination. The child’s age, development, physical activity, posture, and individual circumstances are considered when determining whether chiropractic evaluation or care is appropriate.

The ICPA offers specialized postgraduate education in pediatric chiropractic care, including training in spinal assessment and adjusting for newborns, infants, and toddlers.

Why Might Parents Consider a Pediatric Chiropractic Evaluation?

Parents may seek an evaluation when they have concerns about their child’s musculoskeletal function, posture, movement, or spinal mechanics.

Examples may include:

• Postural concerns
• Spinal or joint stiffness
• Musculoskeletal discomfort
• Sports-related physical stress
• Repetitive physical activity
• Recovery following an injury
• Movement or biomechanical concerns

A pediatric chiropractic examination should always be age-appropriate and individualized.

Chiropractic care should not be presented as a substitute for pediatric medical care, vaccination, emergency treatment, or evaluation of medical conditions.

Children and Sports

As children become more active, they may participate in swimming, soccer, basketball, gymnastics, tennis, running, and other sports.

Repetitive movements and athletic activities place different mechanical demands on a developing body. Previous injuries can also influence movement patterns.

A chiropractic evaluation may examine the spine and extremities for areas of restricted movement or other musculoskeletal findings when appropriate.

For children with significant injuries, persistent pain, neurological symptoms, or other medical concerns, evaluation by the child’s pediatrician or an appropriate medical specialist is important.

A Gonstead Approach for the Whole Family

The Gonstead System emphasizes a detailed examination rather than providing the same treatment to every patient.

For adults, the examination may include posture, static palpation, motion palpation, instrumentation, neurological or orthopedic testing, and other clinically appropriate procedures.

For pregnant women and children, the examination and care are modified according to the individual’s age, physical condition, stage of pregnancy, and clinical needs.

The objective is to identify specific findings and determine whether chiropractic care is appropriate—not simply to treat a symptom or body part.

Working Together With Your Healthcare Providers

Pregnancy and pediatric care are best approached as part of a coordinated healthcare plan.

Chiropractic care does not replace prenatal care from an obstetrician or midwife, pediatric care from a child’s healthcare provider, or emergency medical care.

Pregnant women should discuss significant or persistent symptoms with their obstetric provider. Severe back pain, back pain accompanied by fever or urinary symptoms, vaginal bleeding, or other concerning symptoms may require medical evaluation.

Our goal is to work within the appropriate scope of chiropractic care and refer patients to other healthcare professionals when additional evaluation is needed.

Webster Trained Gonstead Chiropractor in Fairfax, VA

At Nova Gonstead Chiropractic in Fairfax, Virginia, we provide individualized chiropractic care for the entire family.

As a Webster Trained Gonstead Chiropractor, Dr. Kang has specialized training in the Webster Technique for pregnancy and incorporates this approach when clinically appropriate.

Our care includes consideration of:

• Pregnancy and postpartum changes
• Spinal and pelvic biomechanics
• Posture and movement
• Musculoskeletal complaints
• Pediatric spinal and postural concerns
• Sports-related physical stress
• Individual patient needs

Whether you are expecting a baby, recovering after childbirth, or looking for age-appropriate chiropractic evaluation for your child, a thorough examination can help determine whether chiropractic care is appropriate for you or your family.

Nova Gonstead Chiropractic
Fairfax, Virginia

NoVA Gonstead Chiropractic Clinic
9514 Lee Hwy (Route 29), Suite B
Fairfax, VA 22031
(703) 359-6262