Back, pelvic, neck and wrist pain are common in the months after birth. Feeding, lifting and carrying a baby, broken sleep and a body still recovering from pregnancy all add load at once. A postpartum chiropractic assessment looks at what is driving your symptoms, checks for anything that needs medical attention first, and uses gentle, modified care where it is appropriate. Timing depends on how you gave birth and on your postnatal check.
I am Dr Alex Freeman (chiropractor) and I practise in Victoria Park, Perth. Many of the mothers I see first came in during pregnancy, and a good number come back in the weeks and months after birth. The complaints change, but the underlying story is similar: a body that has been through a lot, being asked to do a lot, on very little sleep.
Why the postpartum period is hard on your body
Pregnancy changes how your spine and pelvis carry load, and those changes do not reverse overnight. The hormones that soften ligaments during pregnancy can leave the pelvis less stable for a while after birth. Abdominal and pelvic floor muscles that support the lower back have been stretched, and may have been affected by the birth itself.
Then the new demands arrive. You might feed eight to twelve times a day, often hunched in the same position. You lift a capsule, a pram and a growing baby many times a day, frequently with a twist. And you are doing all of it on broken sleep, which lowers pain tolerance and slows recovery.
What new mothers commonly come in with
Lower back pain, often worse with lifting, bending over a cot or bath, or standing for long periods.
Pelvic girdle pain around the sacroiliac joints or pubic bone that continues after birth, or that started during pregnancy and hasn't settled.
Upper back, neck and shoulder pain from feeding posture, looking down at the baby, and carrying on one side.
Wrist and thumb pain, common in new parents from repeatedly lifting a baby under the arms.
Headaches linked to neck tension, poor sleep and long periods in one position.
When to get medical help first
Some symptoms after birth need your GP, midwife, maternity unit or emergency department rather than a chiropractor. Please seek medical care promptly if you have:
Heavy bleeding, or bleeding that suddenly increases
Fever, or a caesarean wound that is red, hot, swollen or discharging
Pain, swelling or redness in one calf
Chest pain or shortness of breath
A severe headache, changes in your vision, or new swelling in your face or hands
Loss of bladder or bowel control, or new numbness around the saddle area
Low mood, anxiety or thoughts that are worrying you
On that last point: postnatal depression and anxiety are common and treatable. Your GP is a good place to start, and PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Australia) runs a national helpline for new and expecting parents.
When can you see a chiropractor after giving birth?
There is no single right time, and it depends on how you gave birth and how you are recovering.
After an uncomplicated vaginal birth, many women feel ready for an assessment within a few weeks. After a caesarean, or a birth with significant tearing or complications, it is sensible to wait until you have been cleared at your postnatal check, usually around six weeks, and longer if your doctor advises it. Whenever you come in, we avoid pressure over a healing wound and adapt positioning so you are comfortable.
What an appointment involves
A first appointment is a consultation and examination rather than treatment by default. I want to know how the pregnancy and birth went, any complications, how you are feeding, what your days physically involve, and how you are sleeping. Then I examine how your lower back, pelvis, upper back and neck are moving, check strength and neurological function where needed, and look at the tasks that provoke your pain.
Where chiropractic care is appropriate, it is modified for the postpartum period. That usually means gentle joint work, soft tissue work through tight areas such as the upper back and hips, and practical advice on feeding positions, lifting and carrying. As symptoms settle, we add progressive strengthening so your body can keep up with a baby who keeps getting heavier.
Working alongside other practitioners
Some postpartum problems sit outside what a chiropractor should manage on their own. If you have pelvic floor symptoms such as leaking, heaviness or pain, or a noticeable gap down the middle of your abdomen (abdominal separation, sometimes called diastasis recti), a women's health physiotherapist is the right person to assess it. I am happy to work alongside your physiotherapist, GP or midwife, and will refer you if something needs another set of eyes.
Small changes that help at home
Bring the baby up to you when feeding, using pillows, rather than curling down to the baby. Change sides and positions where you can. Lift with the baby close to your body, bending your knees rather than reaching. Set the change table and pram handle at a height that doesn't make you stoop. And when the chance comes to rest, take it. Sleep is part of recovery, not a luxury.
Common questions about postpartum chiropractic care
Is chiropractic care safe after giving birth?
For most women, gentle, modified chiropractic care is considered appropriate after birth once a thorough assessment has been done. Timing and technique depend on how you gave birth and how you are recovering, and anything that needs medical attention is referred first.
How soon after a caesarean can I see a chiropractor?
It is sensible to wait until you have been cleared at your postnatal check, usually around six weeks, and longer if your doctor advises. Care avoids pressure over the wound and is adapted to keep you comfortable.
Can I have chiropractic care while breastfeeding?
Yes. Breastfeeding does not prevent you from having an assessment or care, and feeding posture is often one of the things we look at directly.
Can a chiropractor fix abdominal separation or pelvic floor problems?
These are best assessed by a women's health physiotherapist. Chiropractic care may help with the back and pelvic pain that often comes alongside them, and we can work together with your physiotherapist.
Do I need a referral?
No. Chiropractors are primary contact practitioners in Australia, so you can book directly.
Getting assessed in Victoria Park
If your back, pelvis, neck or wrists have been sore since the baby arrived, it is worth having it looked at rather than waiting for it to sort itself out. We are at 249B Albany Highway, Victoria Park, and we see patients from East Victoria Park, Kensington, South Perth, Como, Lathlain, Carlisle, Burswood, Rivervale and Belmont.
Book online or call 0493 290 505. You may also want to read about chiropractic care during pregnancy, chronic low back pain, and what a chiropractor does.
Freeman Chiropractic · Victoria Park
Sore since the baby arrived?
Book a consultation and examination with Dr Alex Freeman at 249B Albany Highway, Victoria Park. No GP referral needed.
This article is general information and is not a substitute for individual assessment. Dr Alex Freeman is a registered chiropractor practising in Victoria Park, Western Australia.