Chiropractic Care During Pregnancy

How chiropractic care relieved my pregnancy back pain

You know that moment when you're shuffling across your living room like you've aged forty years overnight, one hand pressed against your lower back, moving at the pace of a sloth on sedatives? Yeah. That was me during my third pregnancy. And here's the kicker— as a hypnobirthing practitioner, I literally teach pregnant women about preparation, self-care, and listening to their bodies.

Talk about not practicing what you preach.

Let me back up and tell you how I went from walking like I needed a zimmer frame to standing straight again—and why chiropractic care during pregnancy might just be the missing piece in your birth preparation toolkit.

I ignored my own pregnancy wellness advice

You know that expert that ignores their own advice? Well... that was me during my third pregnancy....

I have three children, and with each pregnancy, I learned something new about the importance of actually following my own advice. During my first two pregnancies, I was diligent about my yoga practice. With my second, I added regular chiropractic care with José at Tonovital Malaga, and honestly? The difference was night and day. I felt flexible, comfortable, and my body felt like it was working with me instead of against me.

Then came baby number three.

I got stubborn. I thought, "I've done this twice before, I know what I'm doing." I was working long hours, sitting at my desk all day, and my daily yoga practice? Well, it became more of a "whenever I feel like it" practice. Which, let's be honest, when you're pregnant and exhausted, isn't very often.

The universe has a funny way of teaching us lessons. Mine came in the form of deciding to deep-clean the bathroom when I was already exhausted. Because apparently, I'm the kind of person who thinks scrubbing tiles while heavily pregnant is a brilliant idea. Spoiler alert: it wasn't.

The psoas muscle: How it affects baby position and labor

After my bathroom cleaning extravaganza, I could barely walk. My lower back was screaming, and I had somehow managed to tighten my psoas muscle—you know, that longest muscle in your body that runs from your thoracic spine all the way down to your thigh bone, conveniently positioned right behind your uterus.

Here's the knowledge I wish I wouldn´t have ignored: the psoas muscle acts like a runway for your baby as they descend into your pelvis. When it's tight—especially when one side is tighter than the other—it can literally hold your baby up and affect their head position. It's like trying to slide down a slide that someone's holding the bottom of. Not ideal for labor, friends.

But the psoas isn't just about birth. During pregnancy, your abdominal muscles are stretching to accommodate your growing baby, which means they're not exactly at peak performance. When your abs check out, your psoas steps in to compensate, becoming the primary stabilizer for your spine. A tight psoas can pull your body forward, flare your ribs, put pressure on your abdominal separation, and even mess with your pelvic floor function.

It's all connected. Your body is this incredible, intricate system, and when one part isn't working optimally, everything else has to pick up the slack.

My experience with pregnancy chiropractic care in Malaga

Pregnancy chiropractic care: prevention vs. damage control

I'd shuffle into Tonovital Malaga like an elderly Victorian lady. The clinic has a professional, polished feel, but José is so genuinely warm that you immediately feel at ease.

Why chiropractic care matters for birth preparation

Let me get into the specifics of why this matters so much, especially as you approach your due date.

Your body undergoes remarkable changes during pregnancy. You're not just gaining weight in your belly—your entire musculoskeletal system is adapting. Hormonal changes are loosening your ligaments and joints to prepare for birth. Your centre of gravity shifts. Your pelvis is literally changing shape and position.

Research suggests that around 50% of pregnant women experience lower back pain at some point. That's half of all pregnant women dealing with that nagging, aching discomfort that can show up after walking, standing, or sitting for too long.

One principle in my hypnobirthing courses is creating space for your baby. A balanced pelvis creates space—for your baby to find optimal position and descend during labor. When your body is aligned, your baby has room for perfect positioning. When one side is tighter—say, a tight psoas—the space becomes asymmetrical, and your baby might settle with their head tipped to one side.

Beyond pain relief: education and informed consent in pregnancy care

I've referred many pregnant women to José over the years, and they've all come back with glowing feedback. José speaks impeccable English (he honed his skills in the US), so for us expat moms here in Spain, communication is seamless. He explains what he's doing and why, answers questions, and gives you exercises and postural recommendations.

This is where informed consent comes in—one of my core principles in the hypnobirthing courses I teach. We extensively discuss how to advocate for yourself and speak to your care providers. This requires understanding how birth works, what to expect, and distinguishing true medical emergencies from preferred practices based on low-quality (or no) evidence.

Ask questions. Keep asking until everything is clear. Don't passively receive treatment; be an active participant in your own care.

When to start chiropractic care during pregnancy

If I could advise my third-pregnancy self: start before you're in pain. When you first feel uncomfortable, that's your cue. Even if you feel comfortable throughout pregnancy, consider going from around 36 weeks onward as fine-tuning for birth—preparing your pelvis, optimizing space for your baby, ensuring everything is balanced.

The more you can relax during labor, the easier your baby descends. When you're tense and in pain, your body works against itself. When you're relaxed, everything flows. That's why I advocate comprehensive birth preparation: chiropractic care for physical alignment, hypnobirthing for deep relaxation (and sóo much more), movement and exercise for strength and flexibility. It's all connected.

Take action: prioritize your pregnancy wellness today

Don't be like third-pregnancy me. Be like second-pregnancy me. If you're experiencing discomfort—lower back pain, neck pain, that feeling your body is just off—don't wait. If you're in Malaga, I cannot recommend José at Tonovital Malaga highly enough. Mention you came through me (Titia from Born in Trust). If you're looking for comprehensive birth preparation addressing both physical and mental aspects, I'd love to connect. In my hypnobirthing courses, you'll learn deep relaxation to help you give birth with more ease and comfort.

Your body is capable of amazing things. It's growing a human being right now. Let's give it the support it needs. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a 16-month-old who's probably gotten into something he shouldn't have. But at least these days, I can chase after him without walking like I'm twice my age.