Chiropractic Care During Pregnancy in Kingsport, TN
Low back and pelvic pain are some of the most common complaints in pregnancy. As your baby grows, your posture shifts, your center of gravity moves forward, and pregnancy hormones loosen the ligaments around the pelvis. At Elevate Sport and Spine in Kingsport, Dr. Preston Douglas, DC, CCSP (Tennessee License #3451) has cared for pregnant patients from the first trimester through delivery, using tables designed for pregnancy so you can lie comfortably without pressure on your belly. Care is gentle, and it works alongside your OB or midwife, never instead of them.
Call your OB or midwife, or go to labor and delivery, for: vaginal bleeding, fluid leaking, regular contractions before 37 weeks, decreased baby movement, severe headache, vision changes, sudden swelling of the face or hands, upper belly pain, or a swollen, painful calf. Back pain that comes in waves can be contractions.
Common pregnancy aches we help with
- •Low back pain from posture changes and added load
- •Pelvic girdle pain: pain at the back of the pelvis (sacroiliac joints) or at the front (pubic bone), often worse with walking, stairs, rolling in bed or standing on one leg
- •Hip pain and pain in the buttock (hip pain)
- •Sciatica-type pain down the leg
- •Mid-back and rib pain as the belly grows
- •Neck pain and headaches from sleep positions and posture
- •Hand numbness from fluid shifts (carpal tunnel)
How care is adapted for pregnancy
- •Pregnancy tables with sections that let you lie face down or on your side without pressure on your belly
- •Gentle techniques, including Thompson drop table and Activator adjustments that use very little force
- •No pressure on the abdomen and no positions that are uncomfortable for you
- •Soft tissue work for the low back, hips and glutes
- •Exercises and positioning advice for sleeping, getting out of bed, and staying active (corrective exercise)
Research on pregnancy back and pelvic pain supports staying active and exercise-based care; manual therapy and support belts are also commonly used, and many patients find combined care helpful.
What to expect
Your first visit runs 30 to 45 minutes. Dr. Douglas asks about your pregnancy, due date and any complications, examines your back, pelvis and hips, and explains which techniques he'll use. X-rays are not taken during pregnancy. Let your OB or midwife know you're seeing a chiropractor; if your pregnancy is high-risk, get their OK first.
About our training
Dr. Douglas doesn't hold a specialty prenatal certification. What he offers is experience caring for pregnant patients from the first trimester through birth, equipment built for pregnancy, and gentle techniques suited to it.
Clinical Sources & Guidelines
- Liddle SD, Pennick V. Interventions for preventing and treating low-back and pelvic pain during pregnancy. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2015;(9):CD001139.
Common Questions
Ready to be seen?
Call 423-239-9122 or book online. We don't take walk-ins, but most new patients are seen within a week, and we check your insurance benefits before your first visit.