Pregnancy Chiropractic Care Kansas City

Pregnancy chiropractic care in Kansas City helps expecting mothers find relief from back pain, sciatica, and pelvic discomfort without medication or risky treatments. You’re five months pregnant and your lower back aches constantly. Or you’re in your third trimester and can’t sleep because no position feels comfortable. Or you wake up with shooting pain down your leg every morning. Your OB says it’s normal pregnancy discomfort and to just deal with it for a few more months.

At Dohrmann Chiropractic in Kansas City, we see pregnant women every week who are tired of suffering through pain they don’t have to endure. Pregnancy changes your body dramatically. Your center of gravity shifts. Hormones loosen your ligaments. Your pelvis prepares for delivery. All of these changes can cause pain, but they don’t have to.

Chiropractic care during pregnancy is safe, gentle, and effective. We use specific techniques designed for pregnant women. No twisting. No forceful movements. Just gentle adjustments that help your body adapt to the changes happening inside you.

Dr. Ben Dohrmann, Dr. Kevin McFadden, and Dr. Frank Siraguso have helped hundreds of pregnant women in Kansas City stay comfortable throughout their pregnancies. They understand the unique challenges expecting mothers face and know how to provide relief without putting mom or baby at risk.

Is Pregnancy Chiropractic Care Safe?

Pregnancy chiropractic care is safe when performed by trained doctors who understand the specific needs and modifications required for expecting mothers. Chiropractors use gentle techniques, special positioning, and adjusted force to accommodate your changing body and growing baby.

Safety is the first concern for any pregnant woman considering treatment. You’re not just thinking about yourself anymore. Everything you do affects your baby. That’s completely normal and responsible.

Chiropractic adjustments during pregnancy look different from regular adjustments. We don’t have you lie face down on a regular table. We use special pregnancy pillows or tables with cutouts that allow room for your belly. You stay comfortable and your baby stays safe.

The force used during pregnancy adjustments is much gentler than regular adjustments. Your ligaments are already loosened by pregnancy hormones, so your joints move more easily. We use lighter pressure and specific techniques designed for pregnant patients.

There are no known contraindications to chiropractic care during a normal, healthy pregnancy. The American Pregnancy Association recognizes chiropractic as safe during pregnancy. Many obstetricians refer their patients to chiropractors for pregnancy-related back pain and pelvic issues.

That said, we take a thorough history before treating any pregnant patient. Certain high-risk pregnancies might need modified care or clearance from your OB. We work with your medical doctor to ensure everyone is on the same page about your care.

What Is the Webster Technique?

The Webster Technique is a specific chiropractic adjustment designed to reduce stress on the pregnant woman’s pelvis and optimize pelvic alignment, which can help create more room for the baby to move into the ideal position for birth. Chiropractors trained in this technique use it throughout pregnancy, but it’s especially valuable in the third trimester.

Your pelvis goes through significant changes during pregnancy. The hormone relaxin loosens ligaments to allow the pelvis to expand during delivery. Sometimes this creates imbalances or misalignments that restrict pelvic movement.

When your pelvis is out of alignment, it can create tension in the ligaments that support your uterus. This tension may restrict the baby’s movement and positioning. The Webster Technique addresses these pelvic misalignments and reduces tension in associated ligaments.

The adjustment itself is gentle. We analyze your pelvis to identify areas of restriction or misalignment. Then we perform specific adjustments to the sacrum and work on the round ligament to reduce tension. Most women find the technique comfortable and relaxing.

The Webster Technique doesn’t manually turn breech babies. Instead, it creates optimal pelvic alignment that allows the baby to move more freely. When there’s more room and less tension, babies often move into better positions on their own.

Many women across Kansas City, from Gladstone to Parkville, come to our practice specifically for Webster Technique care. Some are referred by their midwives or doulas. Others find us when searching for natural approaches to breech presentation.

When Should I Start Pregnancy Chiropractic Care in Kansas City?

You can start pregnancy chiropractic care in Kansas City as soon as you know you’re pregnant, though many women begin in the second trimester when back pain and pelvic discomfort typically increase. There’s no wrong time to start—care can benefit you in any trimester.

First trimester care focuses on helping your body adapt to the rapid changes happening inside you. Morning sickness, fatigue, and early pregnancy discomfort can be intense. While chiropractic doesn’t cure morning sickness, many women report feeling better overall with regular adjustments.

The second trimester is when most women start experiencing noticeable musculoskeletal discomfort. Your belly is growing. Your center of gravity is shifting. Your posture changes to accommodate the extra weight in front. This creates stress on your lower back, hips, and pelvis.

Third trimester care becomes even more important. You’re carrying significant extra weight. Your pelvis is preparing for delivery. Sleep becomes difficult. Everything aches. Regular adjustments help you stay comfortable during these final weeks.

Some women start chiropractic care specifically because they discover their baby is breech in the third trimester. While we can’t guarantee the baby will turn, the Webster Technique has helped many babies move into vertex (head-down) position when started around 32-34 weeks.

Ideally, start care early and continue throughout pregnancy. This allows us to address problems as they develop rather than waiting until you’re in severe pain. Prevention is easier than correction.

What Pregnancy Conditions Can Chiropractic Care Help?

Chiropractic care during pregnancy can help with lower back pain, sciatica, round ligament pain, pelvic pain, pubic symphysis dysfunction, rib pain, neck pain, headaches, and overall discomfort related to postural changes. These are some of the most common complaints we see from pregnant patients.

Lower back pain affects the majority of pregnant women at some point. The weight of your growing baby pulls your spine forward. Your lower back curves more than normal to compensate. The muscles in your back work overtime. This leads to pain, stiffness, and fatigue. Adjustments restore better alignment and reduce muscle strain.

Sciatica during pregnancy happens when pressure on the sciatic nerve causes shooting pain down your leg. This can come from the baby pressing on the nerve, from pelvic misalignment, or from muscle tension in the hip. Chiropractic care addresses the mechanical causes of sciatic nerve irritation.

Round ligament pain is that sharp, stabbing pain in your lower abdomen or groin. The round ligaments support your uterus and stretch dramatically during pregnancy. When your pelvis is misaligned, these ligaments get pulled unevenly, causing pain. Pelvic adjustments can reduce this discomfort.

Pubic symphysis dysfunction causes pain in the front of your pelvis where the pubic bones meet. This joint loosens during pregnancy to allow the pelvis to expand. Sometimes it becomes too loose or misaligned, causing severe pain with walking, climbing stairs, or rolling over in bed. Specific adjustments and support techniques help stabilize this area.

Rib pain in late pregnancy happens when your growing uterus pushes your ribs up and out. This can cause ribs to shift out of position where they attach to your spine. The pain can be intense and make breathing uncomfortable. Gentle rib adjustments provide immediate relief.

How Does Pregnancy Chiropractic Care Differ from Regular Adjustments?

Pregnancy chiropractic care differs from regular adjustments in technique, positioning, force, and approach—everything is modified to keep both mother and baby safe and comfortable. We use special tables, gentler techniques, and specific protocols designed for pregnant bodies.

Positioning is the most obvious difference. Pregnant women don’t lie face down on a flat table. We use pregnancy pillows that have a space for your belly, or tables designed with cutouts. Some adjustments are done while you’re lying on your side or sitting up.

The force used is much lighter. Your ligaments are already loose from pregnancy hormones. Your joints move more easily. We don’t need as much force to achieve the desired movement. Everything is gentler and more controlled.

We avoid certain techniques during pregnancy. No twisting rotations. No abrupt movements. No techniques that put pressure on your abdomen. We modify our approach based on which trimester you’re in and any specific complications or concerns.

The treatment focus is different too. We’re not just treating your spine in isolation. We’re addressing how your entire musculoskeletal system is adapting to pregnancy. This means paying special attention to your pelvis, hips, and the connection between your spine and pelvis.

Follow-up care is typically more frequent during pregnancy. Your body changes week by week. What worked last month might need adjustment this month. Many pregnant women come in every two to four weeks, increasing to weekly visits in the final month.

Can Chiropractic Care Help If My Baby Is Breech?

Chiropractic care, specifically the Webster Technique, can help create optimal pelvic alignment that may allow a breech baby to turn head-down naturally. While we can’t manually turn your baby or guarantee results, many women have found success with this approach.

Breech position means your baby is bottom-down or feet-down instead of head-down. Most babies turn head-down naturally by 36 weeks. But about 3-4% remain breech. If your baby is still breech late in pregnancy, your doctor might recommend external cephalic version (manually turning the baby from the outside) or schedule a cesarean section.

The Webster Technique offers another option. By correcting pelvic misalignment and reducing tension in the uterine ligaments, we create more room for your baby to move. When the pelvis is balanced and the ligaments are relaxed, babies often turn on their own.

Success rates vary, but research suggests the Webster Technique has an 82% success rate when used for breech presentation. The earlier you start, the better. Babies have more room to move at 32 weeks than at 38 weeks.

Even if your baby doesn’t turn, the treatment isn’t wasted. You’ll still benefit from reduced pelvic pain, better alignment, and easier delivery regardless of your baby’s position. Many women who end up with planned cesareans report easier recovery when they received chiropractic care throughout pregnancy.

We work with your medical team when addressing breech presentation. We don’t replace your obstetrician or midwife. We complement their care by addressing the biomechanical factors that might be preventing your baby from turning.

Will Pregnancy Chiropractic Care Make Delivery Easier?

Regular pregnancy chiropractic care may contribute to easier, shorter labor and delivery by maintaining optimal pelvic alignment and reducing restrictions that could impede the baby’s movement through the birth canal. Research shows women who receive chiropractic care during pregnancy often report shorter labor times.

Your pelvis needs to open and expand during delivery. When your pelvis is properly aligned and moving well, this process happens more efficiently. Misalignments or restrictions in the pelvis can slow labor or make it more difficult.

The sacrum, the triangular bone at the base of your spine, needs to move backward during delivery to allow the baby’s head to pass through. If your sacrum is stuck or misaligned, this movement is restricted. Webster Technique and other prenatal adjustments help ensure your sacrum can move freely when the time comes.

Women who receive regular chiropractic care during pregnancy report less back labor. Back labor happens when the baby is in a posterior position (facing your front instead of your back) and creates intense back pain during contractions. Optimal pelvic alignment may help babies settle into better positions.

Pain perception might be different too. When you go into labor already dealing with significant back pain and pelvic dysfunction, everything hurts more. When you’re comfortable and well-aligned going into labor, you’re starting from a better place.

Some studies suggest first-time mothers who receive chiropractic care have shorter labors by an average of 24%, and experienced mothers by 39%. While individual results vary, the data suggests a real benefit.

What Should I Expect During a Pregnancy Chiropractic Care Visit?

During a pregnancy chiropractic care visit, you can expect gentle treatment using specialized techniques and positioning designed specifically for pregnant women, along with advice on exercises, posture, and self-care to keep you comfortable between visits. Each visit typically takes 15-30 minutes.

Your first visit includes a thorough history. We need to know about your pregnancy, any complications, how you’re feeling, and what symptoms brought you in. We ask about your previous pregnancies if this isn’t your first. We want to know what your doctor or midwife has said about your pregnancy.

We perform a gentle examination. We check your posture, how you walk, and how your pelvis moves. We feel for areas of tension and restriction. We assess your spine and pelvic alignment. Everything is modified for pregnancy—no positions or tests that would be uncomfortable or unsafe.

Treatment happens on specialized equipment. Our tables accommodate pregnant women comfortably. You might lie on your side with pillows supporting your belly and between your knees. Or you might use a pregnancy pillow that lets you lie face down safely. Some adjustments are done while sitting or standing.

The adjustments themselves are gentle and specific. We focus on your pelvis, lower back, and any other areas causing discomfort. If you’re in the third trimester, we typically perform the Webster Technique. The treatment doesn’t hurt. Most women find it relaxing.

We give you exercises and stretches to do at home. These help maintain the improvements from your adjustment and strengthen muscles that support your changing body. We also discuss posture, sleeping positions, and other self-care strategies.

Follow-up visits are shorter. We check how you’re doing, make any needed adjustments, and send you on your way. Many pregnant women come in every two to four weeks in the first and second trimesters, then weekly or bi-weekly in the third trimester.

Do I Need a Referral from My OB for Pregnancy Chiropractic Care?

You don’t need a referral from your OB for pregnancy chiropractic care—you can schedule directly with us. However, we encourage open communication between all your healthcare providers to ensure coordinated care throughout your pregnancy.

Many women ask their OB about chiropractic care before starting. Most obstetricians are supportive, especially if you’re dealing with musculoskeletal pain. Some actively refer their pregnant patients to chiropractors because they recognize the benefits and safety of prenatal chiropractic care.

A few doctors might be hesitant if they’re not familiar with prenatal chiropractic techniques. If your OB has concerns, we’re happy to speak with them directly. We can explain our approach and address any questions they have. Most concerns disappear once doctors understand the gentle, specific techniques we use.

We communicate with your medical team when appropriate. If we identify anything concerning during your examination, we’ll contact your OB. If you have a high-risk pregnancy, we coordinate closely with your doctor to ensure our care aligns with their recommendations.

Your midwife or doula might already know about prenatal chiropractic care. Many midwives and doulas in Kansas City refer to chiropractors regularly. They see the benefits firsthand—clients who are more comfortable during pregnancy and often have easier deliveries.

Can I Continue Pregnancy Chiropractic Care After Delivery?

You can and should continue chiropractic care after delivery to help your body recover from pregnancy and childbirth. Postpartum care addresses the physical stress of delivery, helps your body realign as hormones shift back, and supports you as you adjust to caring for a newborn.

Delivery is traumatic for your body, even when everything goes well. Your pelvis expanded. Your ligaments stretched. Your spine was under stress for months. Now your body needs to recover and return to its pre-pregnancy state.

The first few weeks postpartum are challenging physically. You’re healing from delivery. Your hormones are fluctuating. You’re not sleeping. You’re lifting and carrying your baby constantly, often with poor posture because you’re exhausted. All of this creates pain and dysfunction.

Postpartum adjustments help your pelvis realign as the ligaments tighten back up. We address any dysfunction that developed during pregnancy or delivery. We treat new problems that arise from nursing, carrying your baby, and the physical demands of new motherhood.

Many women develop neck and upper back pain from nursing and holding their baby. You spend hours each day looking down at your infant. Your shoulders round forward. Your neck gets stuck in flexion. This creates tension headaches and upper back pain. Adjustments combined with stretches and exercises help correct these postural problems.

We recommend a postpartum checkup within a few weeks of delivery. Even if you feel fine, having your spine and pelvis checked ensures everything is recovering properly. Some women need several postpartum visits. Others just need one or two to get back on track.

How Much Does Pregnancy Chiropractic Care Cost in Kansas City?

The cost of pregnancy chiropractic care in Kansas City varies depending on your insurance coverage and treatment plan. Many insurance plans cover prenatal chiropractic care, and we offer affordable cash rates for patients without insurance or with plans that don’t cover chiropractic.

We verify your insurance benefits before you start care. Some plans cover chiropractic fully. Others have copays or require you to meet your deductible first. We let you know exactly what your financial responsibility will be.

Prenatal chiropractic care is often more affordable than you think. When you compare the cost to pregnancy massage, acupuncture, or other therapies for pregnancy pain, chiropractic usually costs the same or less. And unlike massage, adjustments address the underlying problem, not just the symptoms.

Think about the value too. Being comfortable during pregnancy improves your quality of life for nine months. Potentially shorter, easier labor saves money and reduces complications. Starting motherhood without chronic pain means you can focus on your baby instead of your aching back.

For patients paying cash, we offer package rates that make regular care more affordable. Pregnancy is one of the times when consistent care matters most. We don’t want cost to prevent you from getting the treatment you need.

What Pregnant Women in Kansas City Are Saying

Pregnant women across Kansas City trust Dohrmann Chiropractic for safe, effective prenatal care. Our practice has served families from Liberty, Gladstone, Parkville, Smithville, and surrounding areas since 2008. With 745 Google reviews and a 4.9-star rating, you can feel confident choosing us for your pregnancy care.

Many of our pregnant patients were referred by friends, family members, or their birthing team. Word spreads when women find relief from pregnancy discomfort they were told they just had to endure.

We see expectant mothers at all stages of pregnancy. First-time moms who want to do everything right. Experienced mothers who remember how uncomfortable their previous pregnancies were. Women dealing with complications or high-risk pregnancies who need specialized, gentle care.

Our doctors understand pregnancy from both a clinical and personal perspective. They’ve treated hundreds of pregnant women. They know what normal pregnancy discomfort looks like and when something needs additional medical attention. They know how to provide effective care while keeping mother and baby safe.

Ready to Feel Better During Your Pregnancy?

If you’re pregnant and dealing with back pain, pelvic pain, sciatica, or just general discomfort, you don’t have to suffer through it. Pregnancy chiropractic care in Kansas City at Dohrmann Chiropractic can help you stay comfortable throughout your pregnancy and prepare your body for an easier delivery.

Call our office at 816-436-5520 to schedule your prenatal chiropractic evaluation. We can usually see new patients within a day or two. Saturday appointments are available if you need weekend care.

Bring any information from your OB or midwife about your pregnancy. Let us know about any complications or concerns. We’ll work with your medical team to provide safe, appropriate care.

You deserve to enjoy your pregnancy instead of just enduring it. Every woman deserves to feel her best during this special time. Chiropractic care can help you get there.

Whether you’re in your first trimester and planning ahead, your second trimester and starting to feel uncomfortable, or your third trimester and desperately seeking relief, we can help. The sooner you start, the more comfortable you’ll be throughout the rest of your pregnancy.

Don’t wait until you’re in severe pain. Don’t accept that pregnancy discomfort is just something you have to live with. Get help now and feel better for the rest of your pregnancy.

Dohrmann Chiropractic
9576 North McGee Street
Kansas City, MO 64155
(816) 436-5520

Office Hours:
Monday-Friday: 9am-12pm, 2:30pm-5:30pm
Saturday: 9am-12pm