Managing Scoliosis During Pregnancy: How Chiropractic Care Can Help Back Pain and Support a Smooth Journey

You don’t have to be a chiropractor to know that pregnancy and Scoliosis can both cause their fair share of joint and muscle pain – especially back pain. So, it shouldn’t be surprising that the combination can be especially challenging. In this article, we examine how the postural shifts of pregnancy, combined with abnormal spinal curvature, can contribute to back pain—and how chiropractic treatment can effectively ease discomfort without the need for medication.

Understanding Pregnancy & Scoliosis

When a woman with Scoliosis becomes pregnant, the twin factors of spinal curvature and pregnancy-related postural changes can add up to increased back and pelvic discomfort. While most women with scoliosis have healthy pregnancies, research shows they may experience more back pain and may have some additional considerations (which is saying something – back pain is among the most common pain symptoms reported by Chiro One patients during pregnancy.)

While scoliosis alone does not prevent pregnancy nor necessarily cause major pregnancy complications, a 2023 scoping review found that back pain was more prevalent among women with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis during pregnancy and there was a modest risk of curve progression. In another survey of 118 pregnancies in 64 women with scoliosis, 21 % reported increased back pain during pregnancy.

Why Scoliosis + Pregnancy Often = Back Pain

So, what’s behind this pain? Here’s how the interplay works:

• The natural weight gain of pregnancy shifts a woman’s center of gravity forward, while at the same time, the uterus grows. This usually results in changes in posture and carriage that can increase stress on the joints and spine.
• Ligaments and connective tissues loosen (especially due to hormones like Relaxin) which can reduce spinal stability.
• The abnormal curvature of Scoliosis can also be worsened by the additional load of pregnancy

In short:

• The lumbar spine often takes more load during pregnancy – and if scoliosis is present (and with it, discomfort) symptoms can intensify.
• Pelvic tilt, altered gait, uneven leg length (common in scoliosis) may mean the spine doesn’t adjust as easily to the changes and stressors of pregnancy on the body.
• As muscles stretch (e.g., abdominal muscles) core support weakens, once again forcing the spine to bear more weight

All of this explains why pregnant women with scoliosis may see more back pain, especially in the lower back, hips, sacro-iliac joints, or even mid-back.

Chiropractic Care: A Drug-Free, Non-Invasive Support Option

Chiropractic care offers a gentle, safe approach to relieving back pain in pregnancy — especially when scoliosis complicates the picture. Here’s why – and how it helps.

Benefits of chiropractic care for pregnant women with scoliosis:

• Helps restore better alignment and mobility of spinal joints and pelvis, which reduces asymmetric loading and compensatory strain.
• Improves muscle-balance around the spine: strengthening the weaker side, relieving tension in the overloaded side.
• May reduce back, hip or pelvic pain, making daily movement easier and more comfortable.
• Supports better posture and core stability, which helps the body adapt to pregnancy changes more efficiently.

Safety & evidence:

• One review reported that up to 75 % of pregnant women receiving chiropractic care reported relief from back/pelvic pain.
• A scoping review of scoliosis & pregnancy concluded that while data is still limited, conservative care (including chiropractic) is an acceptable option and many women had good outcomes.
• And lastly – but this is a big one: adjustments during pregnancy are generally gentler than other approaches to pain relief, with easy-to-make modifications for maternal comfort and safety (especially in later trimesters).

What happens during a chiropractic appointment for a pregnant scoliosis patient?

1. Assessment: Your Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) reviews your Scoliosis history (curve magnitude, past treatment, fusion/surgery if any), your pregnancy stage, current pain locations, posture/gait, and any pelvic or leg-length asymmetry.
2. Positioning: In early pregnancy, standard chiropractic tables are used. Later trimesters call for specialized setups: side-lying adjustments or tables with drop pieces and gentle contacts. A maternity pillow (or pregnancy-specific cushion) is often used to allow comfortable prone or side-lying positioning while protecting the bump and maintaining spinal alignment.
3. Adjustment & mobilization: Gentle spinal or pelvic joint mobilization/adjustment suited for pregnancy. For scoliosis, extra attention is given to the curved segments and compensatory regions. The goal is to reduce joint stress, improve symmetry and ease muscle tension.
4. Supportive care: Stretching or strengthening exercises for core, hips, pelvis; advice on posture, lifting, sleeping positions; possibly utilizing a maternity pillow at home for nightly spine support.
5. Follow-up & monitoring: Because pregnancy is dynamically changing, periodic reassessment is key. Also, if your scoliosis is moderate-to-severe, your chiropractor may collaborate with your OB/GYN or a maternal-fetal specialist.

Why a Maternity Pillow Matters

When you’re pregnant and dealing with scoliosis, sleep and night-time comfort are major concerns. A good maternity pillow helps by:

• Allowing side-lying with proper spinal alignment (especially important when the spine already has a curve).
• Supporting the front bump so the lumbar spine doesn’t over-arch.
• Reducing torsional strain and uneven pressure on the spine and hips.
• Helping you get better rest, which in turn supports recovery, pain relief and mood.

In the chiropractic session, the maternity pillow may be used on the treatment table (for side-lying adjustments) or at home post-session to maintain alignment between visits.

Quick Tips for Pregnant Women with Scoliosis

• Choose a chiropractor with experience and training in treating pregnancy and scoliosis.
• Tell your OB/GYN you’re receiving chiropractic care — many practitioners will even help you coordinate care.
• Use a pregnancy-specific pillow at night and try to sleep on your side, supported.
• Focus on core and pelvic floor strengthening with chiropractor-prescribed active therapies or doctor-approved prenatal exercise.
• Maintain good posture: avoid long periods of standing or unevenly bearing your weight on just one leg.
• Stay active (with your doctor’s approval.) Walking, swimming, and even gentle strength training can help support the spine and muscles.
• Monitor your curve progression (with the help of your OB or DC) and pain levels; if you have had spinal fusion or very severe scoliosis, be sure to alert your OB/GYN/Chiropractor early.

Get the full list of our favorite tips on enjoying a more comfortable pregnancy here.

A Word About C-Sections, Curve Progression & Risk

• While some studies showed slightly higher caesarean section rates in women with scoliosis (especially post-surgery), the overall risk of major complications for most women with scoliosis is not significantly elevated.
• Curve progression during pregnancy is possible but not inevitable and seems tied to severity of the curve, prior treatment and overall spinal health.
• The take-away: With proper care, women with scoliosis can have healthy pregnancies, labor and delivery – and with the right support, they do it with a lot less back pain.

Hear Jamie’s Story

View Jamie video, a patient at our Mokena clinic, shares her journey of scoliosis-related back pain during pregnancy and how chiropractic care helped.

If you’re navigating pregnancy with scoliosis, you’re absolutely not alone — and you have options. A gentle, well-coordinated chiropractic care plan, combined with good posture habits, supportive sleep tools (like a maternity pillow) and safe activity, can make a meaningful difference for back and pelvic comfort.

At Chiro One, we frequently tell people that pain is not normal. Too many of us have grown accustomed to simply being uncomfortable. This can be especially true for people with chronic conditions like Scoliosis, or with conditions like pregnancy, where too often pain is seen as the cost of doing business (for the record; we disagree.) Don’t just accept pain as inevitable. You can partner with your care team (OB/GYN, Chiro One chiropractor, prenatal exercise specialist) to build a plan tailored for your body and your baby. Because when you feel better, you’re better able to enjoy this time — and prepare for the journey ahead.

Ready to see how it works in real life? Scroll up and watch our video testimonial to hear one woman’s story of how chiropractic care helped her pregnancy with scoliosis. Then reach out and schedule an appointment. We’ll help you create a plan for your comfort, alignment, and peace of mind.