Pregnancy Chiropractor For Pregnant Moms in Fargo, ND

Prenatal Chiropractic Care Near You In Fargo, ND

Somewhere around the second trimester, most women get some version of the same message: back pain is just part of pregnancy. Put a pillow between your knees, try to rest, and it’ll be over in a few months.

It’s true that discomfort is common, but studies of pregnant populations report low back pain, pelvic girdle pain, or both in the substantial majority of women, with severity increasing as pregnancy progresses. But common isn’t the same as unavoidable, and “wait it out” is a difficult prescription when you still have twelve weeks to go, a job to do, and possibly a toddler to carry.

You have options, and they don’t involve medication

New Patient Special!

What’s Happening To Your Body

Pregnancy asks your musculoskeletal system to adapt faster than any other point in adult life.

Your center of gravity shifts forward as your baby grows, which increases the lumbar curve and loads the low back and pelvic joints differently than they’re used to.

Relaxin softens your ligament s in preparation for delivery. This is necessary, but ligaments stabilize joints, and softer ligaments mean less passive stability everywhere, especially at the sacroiliac joints and pubic symphysis. Your muscles have to compensate, and they fatigue.

Your abdominal wall stretches, reducing the support your core normally provides to your spine.

Your pelvis changes position and mobility, which affects the sacroiliac joints, the round ligaments, and the sciatic nerve as it passes through the region.

What Women Come To Us With

• Low back pain, particularly with standing, walking, or turning in bed
• Pelvic girdle pain – deep ache at the back of the pelvis or over the pubic bone
• Sciatic pain radiating down into the buttock and down the leg
• Round ligament pain – sharp, brief pulls at the front of the lower abdomen
• Mid back and rib pain, especially in the third trimester
• Neck pain and headaches
• Difficulty sleeping because no position is comfortable
• Postpartum pain that didn’t resolve after delivery

Is Chiropractic Care Safe During Pregnancy

Yes! Chiropractic care during pregnancy is widely used and has a strong safety profile. A systematic review examining adverse events from spinal manipulation during pregnancy and the postpartum period found serious adverse events to be very rare in the published literature. Care is adapted throughout pregnancy utilizing pregnancy pillows and specialized techniques to allow comfortable positioning face-down well into the third trimester, and forces are modified as your pregnancy progresses.

How We Care for Pregnant Patients At Peak Spine + Wellness

A Modified Assessment

We do not take X-rays during pregnancy. Full stop. Our prenatal assessment relies on history, orthopedic and neurological examination, palpation, and a posture analysis.

Gentle, Adapted Adjustments

Adjustments during pregnancy are lower-force and use techniques and positioning elevated for comfort and safety utilizing drop-table and instrument-assisted methods. Dr. Emily and Dr. Dylan are experienced in prenatal care and will explain exactly what they’re doing and why.

Our focus is on restoring balanced pelvic mechanics and normal motion at the sacroiliac joints and lumbar spine which are the areas carrying the greatest adaptive load.

Soft Tissue and Support

Targeted soft tissue work for the round ligaments, glutes, piriformis, and low back muscles. Guidance on sleep positioning, sitting and standing habits, and safe lifting with a toddler. Recommendations on support belts when appropriate.

Safe Exercises And Nutritional Support

Gentle, pregnancy-appropriate therapeutic exercise to maintain pelvic stability and mobility. On the nutritional side, we can discuss supporting your prenatal foundation which typically includes adequate protein, magnesium for muscle cramping, omega-3 fatty acids, a good prenatal, and vitamin D. It is always good to check in with your OB or midwife.

Postpartum Care

The fourth trimester gets far less attention than it deserves. Recovery of core and pelvic floor function, the physical demands of feeding and carrying, and the postural load of new motherhood all deserve attention. We’re here for that part too.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pregnancy Chiropractic

When can I start care during pregnancy?

You can start at any point. Some women come in during the first trimester to get ahead of things, others when discomfort begins mid-pregnancy, and others in the third trimester when they’re most uncomfortable. Starting earlier generally means more comfort for more of your pregnancy.

Will you take X-rays?

No. We do not perform radiographic imaging on pregnant patients. Our prenatal evaluation is entirely clinical.

Can chiropractic care turn a breech baby?

Chiropractic care does not turn babies. The Webester technique is a specific sacral analysis and adjustment intended to reduce pelvic and sacral joint dysfunction and associated muscle and ligament tension. The reasoning is that balanced pelvic mechanics may allow more room for optimal positioning.

Is it safe in the third trimester?

Yes, with appropriate positioning and modified technique. Pregnancy pillows and drop-away tables allow comfortable, safe positioning right up to delivery. Many women find the third trimester is when care helps most.

How often will I need to come in?

It depends on your symptoms and how far along you are. Many patients start more frequently for a few weeks to gain ground, then reduce as things stabilize, often increasing again in the final weeks as load peaks. We’ll build the plan around your pregnancy, not a template.

You Don’t Have To Just Get Through It

Call (701) 532-0823 or schedule online.

References – Weis CA, Pohlman K, Draper C, daSilva-Oolup S, Stuber K, Hawk C. Chiropractic care for adults with pregnancy-related low back, pelvic girdle pain, or combination pain: a systematic review. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2020;43(7):714-731. Weis CA, Stuber K, Murnaghan K, Wynd S. Adverse events from spinal manipulations in the pregnant and postpartum periods: a systematic review and update. J Can Chiropr Assoc. 2021;65(1): 32-49. Stuber KJ, Smith DL. Chiropractic treatment of pregnancy-related low back pain: a systemic review of the evidence.  J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2008;31(6):447-454. Weiss CA, et al. Prevalence of low back pain, pelvic girdle pain, and combination pain in a pregnant Ontario population. J Obstet Gynaecol Can. 2018;40(8):1038-1043.

How We Treat Pregnant Moms in Fargo, ND

At Peak Spine + Wellness, we take a proactive, customized approach to prenatal chiropractic care. Every mom and every pregnancy is unique. Our goal is to meet you where you are, help your body adapt with ease, and create the healthiest environment possible for both you and your baby.

Our process starts with truly understanding your body, your posture, and your goals for pregnancy and delivery.

Comprehensive Consultation and Exam

On your first visit we take time to learn about your pregnancy journey so far, your health history, and any areas of discomfort or concern.
Because pregnancy changes so much so quickly, we focus on finding the root cause of what’s going on, not just the surface symptoms.

What is this process like in your practice?

We begin with a detailed consultation, followed by a customized physical and postural exam. Depending on your stage of pregnancy, we may also use gentle motion and alignment assessments to evaluate how your pelvis, hips, and spine are adapting.

What kind of exams do you conduct to get an accurate diagnosis of problems during pregnancy?

Our exams often include:

• Postural and pelvic balance assessments
• Spinal motion testing
• Gait analysis (how you’re walking and carrying weight)
• Neurological testing to assess nerve function and muscle tone

We do not perform X-rays during pregnancy, but we can often get a clear understanding of alignment and stress patterns from our hands-on analysis and your symptom presentation.

Why is it important to get to the root cause of the problem?

During pregnancy, it’s easy to dismiss discomfort as “just part of the process.” But pain is your body’s way of telling you something isn’t adapting correctly.
By identifying why that imbalance exists whether it’s from ligament laxity, pelvic tilt, or nerve pressure — we can make precise, gentle corrections that keep you aligned and prevent future issues from developing as your pregnancy progresses.

Specific Chiropractic Care in Fargo, ND

What is a subluxation, and how does it affect a pregnant woman’s body?

A subluxation is a misalignment or restriction in the spine or pelvis that interferes with how your nervous system communicates with the rest of your body.
For pregnant women, this can cause tension, pain, and even affect how the uterus and surrounding ligaments support the baby.

What are the effects of subluxation on a baby?

When the pelvis is imbalanced, it can create intrauterine constraint — meaning there’s less space for the baby to move and settle into the best position.
Balanced alignment supports optimal baby positioning, especially later in pregnancy when space becomes limited.

How can adjustments benefit a pregnant patient and her baby?

Gentle adjustments restore balance and motion to the spine and pelvis. This helps:

• Reduce pain and tension
• Improve nerve flow between brain and body
• Create more space and flexibility in the pelvis for baby
• Support a smoother labor and delivery

How can chiropractic care help with the many changes that happen during pregnancy?

Each adjustment is designed to help your body adapt from the hormonal changes that loosen joints, to the postural shifts as baby grows. When your spine and pelvis move properly, your body can handle those changes with less strain and more stability.

What accommodations are made to account for a pregnant body?

We use specialized pregnancy pillows and drop tables to keep you comfortable and supported during every adjustment.
Our adjusting techniques include Diversified, Drop Table, and gentle instrument adjusting (using the ArthroStim or Activator) when needed.
Everything we do is safe, specific, and tailored to your stage of pregnancy.

Webster Technique: Balancing the Pelvis for a Healthier Pregnancy

You’ll often hear about the Webster Technique in prenatal chiropractic care and for good reason. It’s a gentle and effective approach focused on restoring balance and movement to the pelvis, sacrum, and surrounding ligaments.

At Peak Spine, we apply Webster principles daily with expecting moms to:

• Relieve tension in the round ligaments and lower back
• Improve pelvic alignment and stability
• Encourage optimal baby positioning
• Reduce stress on the uterus and supporting tissues

This technique is especially helpful later in pregnancy when pelvic alignment plays a big role in how your baby engages for delivery.

Custom Pregnancy Exercise Support

Movement matters — especially during pregnancy. While your body is doing incredible things, the combination of weight gain, posture shifts, and ligament changes can create muscular instability.

How does a woman’s body change during pregnancy?

As relaxin increases, your joints become more flexible — especially in the hips and pelvis. This helps prepare for childbirth but can lead to instability or overcompensation in other muscles.

How do these changes affect muscular stability?

When ligaments loosen, the muscles around your core, hips, and spine have to work harder to stabilize the body. Without proper strength and balance, this can lead to discomfort, fatigue, or misalignment.

Why is it important for pregnant women to exercise during pregnancy?

Targeted movement keeps your spine, pelvis, and core muscles working together — supporting better posture, reducing pain, and helping your body recover faster postpartum.

How do these exercises counteract the changes taking place?

We guide expecting moms through safe, low-impact exercises that build strength and stability. These may include:

• Pelvic tilt and hip mobility work
• Core and glute activation
• Postural stretches to reduce upper body tension

Exercise isn’t about doing more — it’s about moving smarter as your body changes.

Nutritional Supplementation

Why is nutrition important during pregnancy?

What you put into your body is what fuels your baby’s development. The right nutrients support everything from brain and bone formation to hormone balance and energy levels for mom.

How does a proper diet support the health of the baby?

Balanced nutrition ensures your baby gets the vitamins and minerals needed for growth and development while helping you maintain stable blood sugar, energy, and mood.

What is the best diet during pregnancy?

We encourage a whole-food-based, nutrient-dense diet focused on quality proteins, healthy fats, and colorful fruits and vegetables.
For supplementation, we often recommend NutriDyn prenatal support — emphasizing active folate (not folic acid) for proper neural tube development, omega-3s for brain and eye health, and magnesium for muscle relaxation and sleep.

Pregnancy is not the time to diet — it’s the time to nourish deeply. Your body is building another human being, and we’re here to support that from the inside out.

Common Causes of Pregnancy Pain

Why pain during pregnancy is common — but not “normal.”

Pregnancy is one of the most incredible seasons your body will ever experience. But while growing a baby is beautiful, it also places new demands on your structure and nervous system.
The good news? Most of the aches and pains expecting moms experience are not just something you have to live with.

At Peak Spine + Wellness in Fargo, we specialize in helping moms stay comfortable and aligned so they can fully enjoy this chapter — free from unnecessary pain or tension.

Low Back Pain

Why is low back pain so common during pregnancy?

As your baby grows, your center of gravity shifts forward. Your spine compensates by increasing the natural curve in your low back (called lordosis). This creates extra stress on the joints, discs, and muscles that stabilize the spine.

What causes low back pain during pregnancy?

Low back pain is often caused by:

• Pelvic misalignment
• Tight hip flexors or glute muscles
• Ligament laxity from relaxin
• Nerve tension or inflammation

What techniques do you use to relieve low back pain during pregnancy?

We use gentle drop table adjustments, pelvic balancing, and soft tissue work to restore normal motion and relieve tension.
We may also recommend specific stretches and posture tips to support your low back between visits.

Pelvic Pain

Why is pelvic pain common during pregnancy?

As the pelvis expands to prepare for birth, the ligaments that hold it together become more flexible. When one side of the pelvis moves differently than the other, pain and pressure can develop — especially in the front (pubic bone) or back (sacroiliac joints).

What are the causes of pelvic pain?

Pelvic misalignment, muscle imbalances, and inflammation from ligament stress are common contributors. Sometimes it’s related to Symphysis Pubis Disorder (SPD), where the front joint of the pelvis becomes overly mobile or irritated.

Why is it important to address pain right away?

Pain is a signal that your body is struggling to adapt. When left unaddressed, pelvic misalignment can make walking, sleeping, or even sitting uncomfortable — and may impact baby positioning later in pregnancy.

What techniques do you use to relieve pelvic pain?

Through gentle pelvic adjustments, drop table technique, and Webster balancing, we restore symmetry and relieve pressure on the joints and ligaments. This helps moms move freely and comfortably again.

Headaches

How common are headaches during pregnancy?

Very common — especially in the first and third trimesters. Hormonal shifts, posture changes, and dehydration can all contribute.

What causes these headaches?

• Forward head posture (from breast and belly growth)
• Muscle tension in the neck and upper back
• Changes in blood flow
• Hormonal fluctuations

How can chiropractic care help prevent and relieve pregnancy headaches?

By aligning the upper neck (cervical spine) and improving posture, chiropractic care can relieve pressure on nerves and muscles that trigger tension headaches.
We also educate moms on proper hydration, ergonomics, and gentle stretches to keep circulation and muscle tone healthy.

Symphysis Pubis Disorder (SPD)

What is SPD? What does it feel like? Why is it so common?

SPD occurs when the joint connecting the two halves of your pelvis (the pubic symphysis) becomes irritated or overly mobile due to hormone changes and uneven pelvic motion.
It can feel like:

• Sharp pain in the front of the pelvis
• Difficulty walking, turning in bed, or lifting one leg
• Clicking or grinding sensations

What is relaxin?

Relaxin is the hormone responsible for softening ligaments during pregnancy to prepare your body for delivery. While essential, it can sometimes cause instability if the pelvis isn’t balanced.

How does chiropractic care help?

We restore pelvic alignment and stability so the ligaments and muscles aren’t under constant strain.
By improving how your pelvis moves as a unit, we can significantly reduce SPD symptoms — helping you walk, sleep, and move comfortably again.

Round Ligament Pain

What is the round ligament?

The round ligaments are two cord-like structures that support your uterus. As your belly grows, these ligaments stretch — sometimes unevenly.

Why is round ligament pain common during pregnancy?

As the uterus expands, these ligaments can tighten or spasm, especially if the pelvis is misaligned or you make sudden movements.

What does round ligament pain feel like?

Sharp, pulling, or stabbing sensations in the lower abdomen or groin — often on one side.

What techniques do you use to relieve round ligament pain?

We use gentle pelvic and sacral adjustments to relieve tension and improve balance in the ligaments.
Often, once the pelvis is aligned, round ligament pain decreases dramatically. We may also show you light stretches or movement modifications to help at home.

Sciatica

What is sciatica?

Sciatica refers to irritation or pressure on the sciatic nerve, which runs from your lower back down each leg.

What causes sciatica during pregnancy?

As the pelvis shifts and the uterus grows, pressure on the lumbar spine and surrounding muscles can compress the nerve.

What are the symptoms?

• Radiating pain or tingling down the leg
• Numbness or weakness
• Difficulty sitting or standing for long periods

How can chiropractic care relieve sciatic nerve pain?

By aligning the pelvis and spine, we relieve pressure on the nerve and reduce inflammation.
We also teach proper posture, stretches, and sleep positions to keep your sciatic nerve relaxed and pain-free between visits.

Breech Baby

What is the proper positioning of a baby during delivery?

Ideally, babies settle into a head-down position (vertex) in the final weeks of pregnancy.

What is a breech position, and why is it dangerous?

A breech position means baby’s head is up and bottom or feet are down. This can complicate delivery and sometimes lead to medical intervention.

What causes a baby to breech?

Pelvic misalignment, uterine tension, or muscle imbalance can reduce the space baby has to move freely into the right position.

How can you prevent a breech delivery?

By using certain adjustments and pelvic balancing, we help reduce intrauterine constraint — allowing baby to naturally move into an optimal position.

Pregnancy-Related Nausea

What is “morning sickness”?

Morning sickness refers to nausea or vomiting during pregnancy — though it can occur at any time of day.

What are the causes?

Hormonal fluctuations (especially hCG and estrogen), stress, and blood sugar changes are common triggers.

When does it become a problem?

When nausea leads to dehydration, severe fatigue, or weight loss, it’s important to seek care.

How can chiropractic care help?

By improving nerve function in the upper spine, chiropractic care can help balance the nervous system, reduce stress on digestion, and support hormonal regulation — all of which can ease nausea naturally.

Frequently Asked Questions About Chiropractic Care During Pregnancy

When can I start care during pregnancy?

You can start at any point. Some women come in during the first trimester to get ahead of things, others when discomfort begins mid-pregnancy, and others in the third trimester when they’re most uncomfortable. Starting earlier generally means more comfort for more of your pregnancy.

Will you take X-rays?

No. We do not perform radiographic imaging on pregnant patients. Our prenatal evaluation is entirely clinical.

Can chiropractic care turn a breech baby?

Chiropractic care does not turn babies. The Webester technique is a specific sacral analysis and adjustment intended to reduce pelvic and sacral joint dysfunction and associated muscle and ligament tension. The reasoning is that balanced pelvic mechanics may allow more room for optimal positioning.

Is it safe in the third trimester?

Yes, with appropriate positioning and modified technique. Pregnancy pillows and drop-away tables allow comfortable, safe positioning right up to delivery. Many women find the third trimester is when care helps most.

How often will I need to come in?

It depends on your symptoms and how far along you are. Many patients start more frequently for a few weeks to gain ground, then reduce as things stabilize, often increasing again in the final weeks as load peaks. We’ll build the plan around your pregnancy, not a template.

You Don’t Have To Just Get Through It

Call (701) 532-0823 or schedule online.

References – Weis CA, Pohlman K, Draper C, daSilva-Oolup S, Stuber K, Hawk C. Chiropractic care for adults with pregnancy-related low back, pelvic girdle pain, or combination pain: a systematic review. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2020;43(7):714-731. Weis CA, Stuber K, Murnaghan K, Wynd S. Adverse events from spinal manipulations in the pregnant and postpartum periods: a systematic review and update. J Can Chiropr Assoc. 2021;65(1): 32-49. Stuber KJ, Smith DL. Chiropractic treatment of pregnancy-related low back pain: a systemic review of the evidence.  J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2008;31(6):447-454. Weiss CA, et al. Prevalence of low back pain, pelvic girdle pain, and combination pain in a pregnant Ontario population. J Obstet Gynaecol Can. 2018;40(8):1038-1043.