Beyond 6 weeks: How Chiropractic Care Supports Your Postpartum Recovery

The Postpartum Care Reality

Having a baby is probably one of the biggest events in your life, and one of the hardest things your body has ever been through.

Yet postpartum care is often non-existent after 6 weeks if you didn’t have complications. After that it becomes more about your baby growing than about supporting you in that transition.

You need to adapt to your new role in a body that feels completely different. Breastfeeding isn’t always easy. You’re running on little sleep, eating whatever you can grab, and your mood swings from high to low in a single day.

From a physical standpoint, your whole system feels dysregulated. It’s as if your body and brain have experienced a shock and now they’re trying to find balance again.

This is where gentle chiropractic care can make a real difference.

Understanding the Postpartum Body

During pregnancy, your body goes through massive changes. Your uterus expands, your center of gravity shifts, and hormones flood your system to prepare you for birth. All of this creates strain in your spine and pelvis.

But here’s what many people don’t realise: these changes don’t just disappear after delivery. Your postpartum body is going through an incredible transition. While pregnancy took nine months, your body doesn’t snap back overnight: it needs time to adjust, heal, and find a new normal.

During this time, many systems in your body are recalibrating:

• Your hormones are shifting dramatically as your body moves from pregnancy to breastfeeding or returns to its pre-pregnancy state
• Your musculoskeletal system is adapting after months of carrying extra weight in a different distribution
• Your nervous system is adjusting to new demands: sleep disruption, acute vigilance to your baby, and physical stress
• Your pelvic floor and core are recovering from the stretching and strain of pregnancy and birth
• Your spine and joints remain more mobile than usual due to hormones that linger for up to a year

While back pain is very common (affecting more than two out of three new mothers) it’s just one sign among many that your body is working hard to adapt. You might also experience:

• Fatigue and low energy
• Poor coordination or feeling clumsy
• Difficulty with balance
• Neck and shoulder tension from feeding and carrying
• Headaches or jaw tension
• A general sense of disconnection from your body

The good news? Your body has an incredible capacity to heal and adapt, it just needs the right support.

How Your Spine Affects Your Whole Body

After birth, your spine, pelvis, and nervous system have all adapted, not just to pregnancy, but also to the demands of caring for your baby. Lifting, feeding, carrying, and sleepless nights all add new stress to your body.

Chiropractic care helps restore movement and balance in your spine and pelvis. When your spine moves better, it sends better signals to your brain and that helps your body regulate itself again.

Many women notice they breathe easier, sleep a little better, and feel more connected in their body after an adjustment.

It’s not about being “fixed.” It’s about helping your body reconnect, adapt, and find its rhythm again.

How Chiropractic Care Addresses the Root Cause

This is where chiropractic care comes in. But before I explain the benefits, let me clear up what chiropractic care actually does. It’s not about “cracking” bones or providing temporary relief. It’s about restoring proper function to your spine and your nervous system.

The research over the past two decades has focused on understanding what happens in the brain when you adjust the spine. What we found is remarkable. When your spine isn’t moving properly, it sends altered information to your brain.

Your brain uses this information to control everything, from your muscles and balance to your pain processing and coordination. When we adjust a dysfunctional spinal joint, we change the signals going to your brain, particularly to an area called the prefrontal cortex.

Research has shown that neural plastic changes occur following chiropractic spinal manipulation, with neuroplastic changes occurring in structures such as the primary sensory cortex, primary motor cortex, prefrontal cortex, basal ganglia, and cerebellum.

Think of your prefrontal cortex as the conductor of your brain’s orchestra. It’s responsible for motor control, coordination, processing pain, and much more.

Studies show that adjusting the spine improves brain function by optimizing neural communication, helping your body adapt more effectively to the demands of motherhood.

Research shows that chiropractic care during the postpartum period can help with:

• Pain reduction – addressing back pain, neck pain, and pelvic discomfort
• Improved mobility – moving more easily as you care for your baby
• Better posture – supporting you during breastfeeding and carrying
• Pelvic floor function – supporting pelvic alignment and core stability
• Faster recovery – helping your body heal and adapt more effectively

Beyond Pain Relief

What makes chiropractic care particularly valuable is that it addresses more than just back pain. Because we’re affecting how your brain and body communicate, the benefits extend throughout your entire system.

New mothers often report:

• Better sleep quality
• Improved mood and ability to cope with stress
• More energy throughout the day
• Better coordination and balance
• Reduced headaches
• Improved ability to return to exercise

For mothers who are breastfeeding and want to avoid medication, this is particularly important. Chiropractic care addresses the root cause of pain rather than just covering up symptoms with drugs.

When Should You Start?

You don’t need to wait until you’re in pain to seek care.

In fact, starting early can help prevent problems from developing. (why not start when you are pregnant? our maternity chiropractors can then stay with you for the journey)

Many chiropractors recommend starting postpartum care within the first six weeks after birth. This is an ideal time because:

• You can address issues before they become chronic
• You can prepare your body for returning to exercise
• You can prevent compensatory patterns as you adjust to new movements with your baby

However, it’s never too late to start. Even if you’re months or years postpartum and still experiencing pain, chiropractic care can help.

What to Expect at Your Visit

Every new mother’s experience is different. Your first visit will typically include:

• A detailed history of your pregnancy, labour, and current concerns
• A thorough examination of your spine and nervous system
• Assessment of your posture and movement patterns
• A clear explanation of findings in language you can understand
• An Electromyogram, HRV and thermoscan, to have an objective measure on how your nervous system is doing

Adjustments are gentle and safe. Chiropractors use techniques appropriate for the postpartum period, taking into account the changes your body has been through and any healing that still needs to occur.

Common Questions

Is chiropractic care safe while breastfeeding?

Yes, absolutely. Chiropractic care is drug-free and safe for breastfeeding mothers. In fact, by improving your posture and reducing tension, it can help with common breastfeeding issues like neck and shoulder pain.

How soon after a C-section can I have chiropractic care?

This depends on your individual healing, but many women can start gentle chiropractic care within a few weeks of a caesarean section. Your chiropractor will work with you to ensure any treatment is appropriate for where you are in your recovery.

Will adjustments hurt?

Chiropractic adjustments should not hurt. You might feel some pressure or hear a popping sound (which is just gas being released from the joint), but the adjustment itself should be comfortable. There are many different techniques available, and your chiropractor can find one that works for you.

How many visits will I need?

This varies depending on your individual situation. Some women feel better after just a few visits, while others need ongoing care. Your chiropractor will discuss this with you after your initial examination and create a plan that fits your needs and goals.

Combining Chiropractic with Other Support

Chiropractic care works well alongside other therapies:

• Massage therapy for tight, sore muscles
• Physiotherapy and pelvic floor physiotherapy
• Exercise and rehabilitation programmes
• Nutritional support
• Fascia therapy and scar tissue work

This integrated approach gives you the best possible outcome. Each therapy addresses different aspects of your recovery, and together they support your body’s natural healing process.

Why This Matters

Research shows that women with postpartum-related back pain rarely seek healthcare services, and those who do often have their pain minimized by healthcare providers who are unable to provide treatment or information.

This needs to change.

Back pain after childbirth is not something you just have to live with. It’s not a normal part of being a mother. It’s a sign that your body needs support to recover properly from the massive changes it has been through.

Studies show that intervention during pregnancy or in the early postpartum period may reduce both acute pain and prevent the development of chronic back pain and disability. The postpartum period is a critical window—what happens to your spine in the months after birth can affect your health for decades to come.

The Bottom Line

Your body has done something remarkable in growing and birthing your baby. Now it needs support to recover properly.

Chiropractic care offers a safe, effective, drug-free approach to postpartum recovery that addresses the root cause of pain and dysfunction rather than just masking symptoms.

Don’t wait until your back pain becomes unbearable. Don’t accept pain as a normal part of motherhood. Give your body the support it needs to function at its best.

Because when you take care of yourself, you’re better able to take care of your baby.

Get in touch if we can help you

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This information is based on current scientific research in chiropractic care and postpartum health. Individual results may vary. Always consult with qualified healthcare providers about your specific situation.