Postpartum Chiropractor for New Moms

A postpartum chiropractor helps with something nobody warns you about: how sore you get taking care of a new baby. Hours of feeding hunched over, carrying a car seat on one arm, rocking, bouncing, and lifting all add up fast. Your back aches, your neck is stiff from looking down, and your wrists hurt every time you pick the baby up. At Hanson Chiropractic Center, we see a lot of new moms, and we'd love to help you feel more like yourself again.

Why new moms hurt

Your body spent nine months changing how it stands and moves, and those changes don't reset overnight. The hormones that loosen your joints for delivery can linger for months, so your pelvis and lower back may feel less steady than they used to.

Then the daily routine piles on. Feeding means hours of looking down with your shoulders rounded forward, which tightens the upper back and neck. Carrying the baby on one hip shifts your weight to one side. And lifting a baby, a car seat, and a diaper bag all day is a workout your body wasn't ready for.

Common aches a postpartum chiropractor sees

Upper back and neck. A burning ache between the shoulder blades and a stiff neck from feeding and looking down at the baby.

Lower back and hips. Soreness from carrying, bending over the crib, and joints that are still settling after pregnancy. Read about lower back pain.

Wrists and thumbs. Pain at the base of the thumb when you lift the baby, sometimes called mommy thumb. See wrist pain.

Headaches. Tension headaches from a tight neck, short sleep, and stress. See headaches and migraines.

How a postpartum chiropractor helps

We start by talking about your delivery, how your recovery is going, and what hurts. Then we check your back, neck, hips, and pelvis, using gentle methods that fit where you are after birth. Some people call this postnatal chiropractic care. It's the same thing.

Gentle adjustments help stiff joints in your back, neck, and pelvis move more comfortably, with no quick twisting. Our massage therapist works on the tight muscles across your shoulders and upper back. We'll also show you a few simple exercises to rebuild strength in your core and hips, at a pace that makes sense for a new mom.

Bring the baby if you need to. We're happy to work around naps and feedings.

Small changes that save your back

Bring the baby up to you when you feed, using a pillow or two, instead of leaning down. Sit back in the chair with your shoulders relaxed and your feet supported. Switch the arm and hip you carry the baby on. When you lift, scoop the baby from underneath with your palms up instead of grabbing under the arms with your thumbs. And when you can, carry the car seat close to your body with both hands, or leave it in the stroller.

Take care of the rest of you, too

The weeks after a baby can be hard on your mood. Feeling weepy and overwhelmed for a little while is common. But if sadness or worry hangs on, feels heavy, or makes it hard to care for yourself or your baby, please talk to your doctor. You can call or text the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262) any time, day or night.

When to get medical care right away

Call 911 or your doctor right away for chest pain, trouble breathing, a headache that won't go away, changes in your vision, a fever of 100.4°F or higher, heavy bleeding, or swelling and pain in one leg. Get help right away for any thoughts of harming yourself or your baby. The CDC lists more urgent warning signs after pregnancy.

Questions to ask a postpartum chiropractor

How soon after giving birth can I see a chiropractor?

Most moms come in once their OB or midwife has cleared them, often around the six-week checkup. After a C-section, wait for your doctor's okay, since your incision needs time to heal. We'll adjust our methods to where you are in your recovery.

Is chiropractic care safe while I'm breastfeeding?

Yes. Gentle adjustments and massage don't affect your milk. Many of the moms we see are nursing, and feeding posture is often the reason they come in.

Can I bring my baby?

Of course. Bring the car seat or stroller, and feel free to stop and feed if you need to. We're used to it.

Why does my wrist hurt so much since the baby came?

Lifting a baby under the arms puts a lot of strain on the tendons at the base of your thumb. It's common enough that people call it mommy thumb. We can help, and we'll show you a gentler way to scoop your baby up.

Why does my back still hurt months after delivery?

Pregnancy changes how you stand and move, and some of those changes linger. Add hours of feeding, rocking, and carrying, and your back and hips don't get much of a break. The good news is that this kind of pain usually responds well to care and strengthening.

This page is general information and doesn't replace advice from your doctor or midwife. Results vary from person to person. You can also see everything else we help with on our Conditions We Treat page.