Lower back pain is the most frequently reported complaint among pregnant patients, but it is far from the only one that prenatal chiropractic evaluation can address. Sacroiliac joint dysfunction — felt as pain at the back of the pelvis, often on one side — is common as the SI joints are asked to absorb more load and movement than usual. Pubic symphysis pain, sometimes called symphysis pubis dysfunction or SPD, develops when the joint at the front of the pelvis becomes unstable and painful under the influence of relaxin. Round ligament pain produces sharp, pulling sensations in the lower abdomen or groin, typically triggered by sudden movements. Each of these complaints has a structural basis that prenatal chiropractic assessment can evaluate and approach with appropriate techniques.
Sciatica during pregnancy is another condition that brings patients to Beacon Clinic of Chiropractic in Grover Beach. As the uterus grows and pelvic mechanics shift, increased pressure on the sciatic nerve can produce radiating pain down one or both legs. Prenatal chiropractic adjustments aimed at restoring pelvic and lumbar alignment may help relieve pressure on the sciatic nerve for some patients. Some patients also present with neck pain and upper back tension related to the postural changes of pregnancy, particularly as breast size increases and the center of gravity shifts forward. Dr. Bronstein evaluates the whole spine as part of prenatal care at Beacon Clinic, addressing each area of complaint within the context of the patient's overall pregnancy-related structural changes.
