How Chiropractic can help you improve your conditioning and training during and after pregnancy
jen Landry 
Discover how chiropractic care and strength training support fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum recovery for stronger, pain-free motherhood.
Becoming a mother is one of the most powerful and demanding transitions a woman can experience. Whether you’re preparing for pregnancy, nurturing life within you, or healing after birth, your body deserves support that goes beyond the basics or prenatals and regular ObGyn checkups.
Two of the most overlooked yet critical foundations for women’s health in these seasons? Chiropractic care and Strength Training.
When paired together, intentional training & Chiropractic care can transform your perinatal experience and outcomes. Let’s discuss how!
The Nervous System: Your Motherhood Command Center
Your nervous system governs every organ, muscle, and hormone in your body. From balancing hormones to stabilizing your core during workouts, coordinating pelvic floor function during pregnancy and birth, the health of your nervous system shapes your capacity to thrive.
When the spine is misaligned (a condition called subluxation), the communication is disrupted, which may show up as:
-Low energy, increased stress, poor sleep, irritability, lack of focus
-Irregular cycles or fertility challenges
-Headaches, pain or instability during movement
-Pelvic floor dysfunction (or more commonly described as “peeing myself when I jump, run or lift something heavy”). Fun fact: a weak pelvic floor is not just for birthing mothers!
Chiropractic Care & Strength Training for Women
Strong, healthy, happy moms make strong, healthy, happy babies. Specifically during the motherhood journey, strength training and Chiropractic can:
Prepare your body for the physical demands and changes during pregnancy and labor by improving mobility and posture, reducing injuries.
Support a healthy metabolism, improve mental health and minimize postpartum depletion and injuries
Build resilience for lifting, carrying, and feeding your baby
Pelvic Floor Health & Chiropractic
The pelvic floor is a group of muscles intricately connected to your spine, hips, and diaphragm.
Pelvic floor dysfunction can be a hindrance during the perinatal period. From infertility, painful periods or pain during intercourse, incontinence, suboptimal baby positioning (breech, “sunny side up”), core instability, symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD), the pelvic floor is involved in all of these! During pregnancy, it can present as incontinence, suboptimal baby position (breech presentation).
Chiropractic care improves pelvic floor health by:
Balancing the pelvis: When the pelvis is misaligned, it creates uneven tension in the pelvic floor muscles. Restoring alignment with the Webster Technique, allows for more effective engagement and relaxation of these muscles as well as creating more space in the pelvis for the baby to move comfortably through labor and birth. Learn more about Chiropractic and birth here.
Enhancing core activation: The pelvic floor works with the deep core, glutes, and diaphragm. Chiropractic adjustments help these systems work together more effectively—essential for women lifting weights, preparing for birth, or recovering postpartum. Incorporating diaphragmatic breathing specialized movements like Spinning Babies during pregnancy can also improve core activation.
Reducing compensations: Misalignments of the mid and lower back often cause the body to compensate elsewhere (e.g., overusing the low back or inner thighs), which can further strain the pelvic floor. A full spine Chiropractic evaluation can identify these misalignments/subluxations and improve range of motion.
Learn 5 ways to restore your pelvic floor after birth.
Strong Mothers Start with a Connected Body
You don’t have to wait until something hurts to start Chiropractic care. You also don’t have to wait until after you have a baby to work on your pelvic floor. Preparing your body before pregnancy will provide the best outcomes and recovery during birth and postpartum.
Whether you’re planning a pregnancy, a vaginal birth or cesarean, returning to lifting weights, healing from birth, or simply want to feel more connected to your body, Chiropractic, strength training and pelvic floor health are essential as women age and adapt to changes in your health.
Your body is capable of amazing things—and when the nervous system, muscles, and joints are aligned and supported, your potential is limitless! You got this!
Ready to feel strong, supported, and aligned through every stage of motherhood? Give Thrive Family Chiropractic a call – we are here to help you express the best version of yourself!
About the Author
Dr. Cristina Padilla Bravo is a board-certified Chiropractor with advanced training in pediatric and perinatal care. She is the founder and owner of Thrive Family Chiropractic in Jacksonville, Florida since 2017 and currently serves as Board President of Women Chiropractors as well as a board member for local northeast Florida organizations serving underserved children and maternal health advocacy. Dr Padilla is a past Clinician for Palmer College of Chiropractic in Port Orange, Florida and currently part of the speakers and educators for the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) Pediatrics Diplomat program. With certifications in prenatal Chiropractic, Acupuncture, and Craniosacral therapy, Dr. Padilla integrates a holistic approach to perinatal health and wellness. A sought-after speaker and educator, she has presented nationally on topics including maternal and infant health, perinatal nutrition, postpartum advocacy and care for underserved populations. Fluent in both Spanish and English, Dr. Padilla is passionate about empowering women through education, mentorship, and accessible care.
Dr Cristina Padilla, DC CACCP
Thrive Family Chiropractic
904-404-0244
Categories: : fourth trimester, Guest Blog, healing after birth, Self-Care