Round Ligament Pain, Sciatica & Back Pain in Pregnancy: You Don't Have to Suffer
Pain during pregnancy is common, but common doesn't mean inevitable. Here's what's actually happening in your body, and what we can do about it.
By: Dr. Fabiola Menéndez, DC, CACCP, Webster Certified
Vibra Chiropractic — Woodstock, GA
Prenatal Chiropractic• 6 min read
Quick answer: Round ligament pain, sciatica, and back pain are among the most common complaints during pregnancy, and while they're normal, they don't have to be your everyday reality. Prenatal chiropractic care, particularly the Webster Technique, addresses the structural and biomechanical changes driving these symptoms by restoring pelvic balance, reducing tension in the uterine ligaments, and relieving pressure on the sciatic nerve. Many pregnant women experience significant relief after just a few visits.
If you've been pregnant for more than a few weeks, there's a good chance you've already Googled at least one of these: "sharp pain in lower abdomen pregnancy," "sciatica while pregnant," or "how to sleep with back pain during pregnancy."
And if someone told you to just push through it, that pain is part of the deal, I want to offer you a different perspective. As a Webster Technique certified prenatal chiropractor serving families in Woodstock, Canton, and across Cherokee County, I work with pregnant women every week who came in thinking their pain was just something to endure. Most of them leave feeling better than they have in months.
Let's talk about what's actually going on, and what we can do about it.
Round ligament pain, what it is and why it happens
Round ligament pain is one of the most common complaints in the second trimester, though it can show up at any point in pregnancy. It typically feels like a sharp, stabbing, or pulling sensation in the lower abdomen or groin, often on one side, and often triggered by sudden movements like rolling over in bed, standing up quickly, or sneezing.
The round ligaments are two thick bands of tissue that run from the uterus down through the groin. As your uterus grows and shifts forward, these ligaments stretch to accommodate it. When they're under tension or pulled suddenly, you feel it, fast and sharp.
Round ligament pain isn't dangerous, but it's also not something you simply have to white-knuckle through. When the pelvis is balanced and the uterus is sitting symmetrically, the round ligaments aren't under as much strain.
This is where the Webster Technique comes in. One component of the Webster adjustment is a specific soft tissue release of the round ligament itself, gently reducing the tension that's causing that sharp, grabbing sensation. Many moms notice a reduction in round ligament pain after their very first visit.
Sciatica during pregnancy, more than just a "pregnancy thing"
Sciatic pain during pregnancy gets dismissed a lot. "It's just part of being pregnant." "It'll go away after the baby comes." And while sciatica often does resolve postpartum, that doesn't mean you have to spend months in pain waiting for it.
The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in the body, running from the lower back down through the hips, buttocks, and legs. During pregnancy, several things conspire to put pressure on it:
Why sciatica flares up during pregnancy
The hormone relaxin loosens the ligaments around the pelvis, which can allow the sacroiliac joints to shift and compress the sciatic nerve
As the uterus grows, it can put direct pressure on the sciatic nerve, especially in the third trimester
Postural shifts from the changing center of gravity create compensations in the lower back and hips
The piriformis muscle, which sits close to the sciatic nerve, can tighten in response to pelvic imbalance
Chiropractic care addresses sciatica during pregnancy by restoring proper alignment to the sacrum, pelvis, and lumbar spine, reducing the mechanical pressure on the sciatic nerve without medication or invasive treatment. For many pregnant women, this is one of the most meaningful changes they experience from prenatal chiropractic care.
Back pain in pregnancy, it's structural, not just inevitable
Lower back pain is so common in pregnancy that it's almost considered a rite of passage. But here's what's important to understand: it's not random. It has a structural cause, and structural problems respond well to structural solutions.
As your belly grows, your center of gravity shifts forward. To compensate, most pregnant women unconsciously arch their lower back, increasing the curve of the lumbar spine in a way that puts significant stress on the facet joints, muscles, and discs. Add to that the ligament laxity from relaxin, the weight of a growing baby, and often disrupted sleep, and it's no wonder your back is screaming.
Chiropractic adjustments during pregnancy restore proper movement and alignment to the lumbar spine and pelvis, reducing that compensatory arching and the joint stress that comes with it. Many of my patients describe their adjustment as the first time their back has felt genuinely relieved, not just temporarily masked.
What about pelvic girdle pain and pubic symphysis pain?
These two are less talked about but incredibly common, and often more debilitating than back pain alone. Pelvic girdle pain (PGP) involves pain in the sacroiliac joints, the back of the pelvis, or the hips. Pubic symphysis dysfunction (SPD) involves pain at the front of the pelvis where the two pubic bones meet.
Both are driven by the same underlying mechanism, ligament laxity combined with pelvic instability, and both respond well to the kind of specific, gentle sacral and pelvic work that Webster Technique care provides. If walking, climbing stairs, or turning over in bed has become genuinely painful, this is worth addressing sooner rather than later.
When should you come in?
Honestly, as soon as the pain starts. Many pregnant women wait until they're struggling to walk before seeking care, and while we absolutely meet you wherever you are, earlier care means less compensation, less adaptation, and typically faster relief.
There's no stage of pregnancy that's too early or too late to benefit from chiropractic care. I see pregnant women throughout all three trimesters at Vibra Chiropractic, some starting in the first trimester proactively, others coming in at 36 weeks when pain has become unmanageable. Every stage is welcome..
Signs it's time to come in
Sharp or stabbing pain in the lower abdomen or groin (round ligament)
Pain, tingling, or numbness running down one or both legs (sciatica)
Lower back pain that's affecting your sleep or daily movement
Pain in the hips, SI joints, or tailbone area
Pain at the front of the pelvis when walking or climbing stairs
Feeling like your pelvis is unstable or shifting
You deserve to feel good during your pregnancy
I say this to every pregnant patient who comes in apologizing for "complaining" about their pain: you are not complaining. You are advocating for yourself. Pregnancy is one of the most demanding things your body will ever do, and you deserve support that helps you feel strong, comfortable, and prepared for birth rather than just counting down the days until the pain stops.
At Vibra Chiropractic in Woodstock, GA, our entire approach is built around you and your baby, gentle, specific, and always adapted to where you are in your pregnancy. We use a specialized pregnancy pillow so you're never in an uncomfortable position, and every visit is designed around your comfort from the moment you walk in.
Dealing with round ligament pain, sciatica, or back pain during your pregnancy? You don't have to wait it out. We serve families across Woodstock, Canton, Holly Springs, and Cherokee County, in English and Spanish.
Book a visit at Vibra Chiropractic
About the author: Dr. Fabiola Menéndez, DC, CACCP, Webster Certified, is a pediatric and prenatal chiropractor at Vibra Chiropractic in Woodstock, GA. She holds the CACCP certification through the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA) and is Webster Technique certified. She practices in English and Spanish and serves families throughout Cherokee & Cobb County.
Vibra Chiropractic | 12035 Highway 92, Suite 400, Woodstock, GA 30188
Serving Woodstock, Canton, Holly Springs, Acworth, Marietta, Kennesaw, Cobb & Cherokee County | English & Spanish
Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes. The Webster Technique includes a specific soft tissue release of the round ligament, which directly addresses the tension causing that sharp, pulling sensation in the lower abdomen or groin. Restoring pelvic balance also reduces the overall strain on the round ligaments. Many pregnant women notice significant improvement in round ligament pain after their first visit.
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Yes, prenatal chiropractic care is a safe, effective, and drug-free option for sciatic pain during pregnancy. A Webster-certified prenatal chiropractor addresses the structural causes of sciatica, sacral and pelvic misalignment, SI joint dysfunction, and piriformis tension, without medication or invasive treatment. At Vibra Chiropractic in Woodstock, GA, all care is adapted specifically for pregnancy using a pregnancy pillow for your comfort throughout the visit.
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As soon as the pain starts. Earlier care means less structural compensation and typically faster relief. At Vibra Chiropractic, we see pregnant women throughout all three trimesters, from the first trimester proactively to the third trimester when pain has become more significant. There is no stage of pregnancy that is too early or too late to benefit from prenatal chiropractic care.
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Pelvic girdle pain (PGP) involves pain in the sacroiliac joints, back of the pelvis, or hips during pregnancy, often driven by ligament laxity and pelvic instability. It can make walking, climbing stairs, or turning over in bed genuinely painful. Webster Technique care specifically addresses sacral and pelvic alignment, which is at the root of most pelvic girdle pain. Many women experience meaningful relief with consistent prenatal chiropractic care.
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es. Dr. Fabiola Menéndez at Vibra Chiropractic is Webster Technique certified and CACCP-certified through the ICPA, specializing in prenatal chiropractic care throughout all three trimesters. Vibra Chiropractic is located at 12035 Highway 92, Suite 400, Woodstock, GA 30188, serving families in Woodstock, Canton, Holly Springs, Acworth, and across Cherokee County. Bilingual care in English and Spanish is available. Book online on our website or call (678) 614-1654.
