Pregnancy Care: Dr. Travis Arrington’s Perspective

Comprehensive Consultation and Exam

What is this process like at White Bison Well-being?

We start with a relaxed, no-pressure 15-minute consultation so I can hear your story and answer any questions. Then we move into a thorough exam that includes posture analysis, gentle orthopedic and neurological testing, and a full spinal and pelvic check, all done safely and comfortably for pregnancy.

What kind of exams do you conduct to get an accurate diagnosis of problems during pregnancy?

I check how your spine and pelvis are moving, look for subluxations that disrupt brain-to-body communication, evaluate posture and gait, and assess how the changes of pregnancy are affecting your low back and pelvis. This helps me see exactly what’s causing your pain or discomfort.

Why is it important to get to the root cause of the problem?

Masking pain with medication doesn’t fix what’s really happening. Finding and correcting the root cause, usually a subluxation or pelvic imbalance, allows your body to function better, reduces pain naturally, and creates more space and comfort for your baby.

Specific Chiropractic Care in Sandy, UT

What is a subluxation, and how does it affect a pregnant woman’s body?

A subluxation is a brain-to-body communication problem caused by a stuck or misaligned vertebra. During pregnancy, it can make the pelvis unstable, increase low back and pelvic pain, tighten muscles, and make it harder for your body to adapt to all the changes.

What are the effects of subluxation on a baby?

When the mom’s pelvis is unbalanced due to subluxation, it can reduce the amount of space available for the baby to move and get into the best position for birth. It can also increase stress on the mom’s nervous system, which affects the environment the baby grows in.

How can adjustments benefit a pregnant patient and her baby?

Gentle adjustments restore proper nerve communication, balance the pelvis, reduce pain, and improve mobility. This helps mom feel more comfortable and gives the baby more room to move into the ideal head-down position.

How can chiropractic care help with the many changes that happen during pregnancy?

Chiropractic helps the spine and pelvis adapt to the growing belly, keeps the nervous system functioning well, reduces common pregnancy pains, and supports better overall comfort and energy throughout all three trimesters.

What accommodations are made to account for a pregnant body?

We never use any positions that put pressure on the belly. You’ll be adjusted on your side, seated, or using special pregnancy pillows so you’re always safe and comfortable.

Webster Technique

What does it do?

The Webster Technique is a gentle, specific adjustment that balances the pelvis and reduces tension in the surrounding ligaments and muscles.

Why would it be necessary?

As pregnancy progresses, the pelvis moves to become ready for birth. This often restricts the space the baby has to move and get into the optimal position for birth.

How does Webster Technique accommodate a pregnant woman’s body?

It uses very light, safe adjustments and is performed with you lying on your side or in a comfortable position.

Custom Pregnancy Exercise Plan

How does a woman’s body change during pregnancy?

As your baby grows, your belly moves forward, shifting your center of gravity and putting extra stress on your low back and pelvis. Hormones also loosen your ligaments to prepare for birth, which can make your joints less stable. These changes are completely normal, but they often lead to discomfort if your spine and pelvis aren’t properly aligned.

How do these changes affect muscular instability?

The forward shift of your belly weakens your glutes and deep core muscles while other muscles (like your hip flexors and low back) become tight and overworked. This imbalance creates instability in your pelvis and low back, which is why so many pregnant moms experience pain, sciatica, or pelvic discomfort. It’s not just “normal pregnancy aches” — it’s often a mechanical issue we can help correct.

Why is it important for pregnant women to exercise during pregnancy?

Safe, targeted exercise keeps the right muscles strong, supports your changing posture, and reduces common pregnancy pains. It also prepares your body for labor and helps with faster recovery after birth. The goal is to keep you active and comfortable so you can enjoy your pregnancy instead of just enduring it.

How do these exercises counteract the changes taking place?

Our custom pregnancy exercises strengthen your glutes and deep core to stabilize your pelvis, stretch tight hip flexors, and improve overall posture. This takes pressure off your low back and helps your body adapt to the growing baby more comfortably. Many moms tell us they feel stronger and move easier after just a couple of weeks.

Nutritional Supplementation

Why is nutrition important during pregnancy?

Your body is working hard to build a baby while also supporting your own health and energy. Good nutrition reduces inflammation, supports tissue healing, and helps keep your nervous system balanced. Without it, many moms experience more pain, fatigue, and slower recovery.

How does a proper diet support the health of the baby?

The nutrients you eat are the building blocks for your baby’s brain, bones, organs, and immune system. A healthy diet also helps maintain steady energy and reduces inflammation for both you and your baby. It’s one of the most powerful ways to support a smoother pregnancy and healthier delivery.

What is the best diet during pregnancy?

Focus on anti-inflammatory foods like wild salmon, berries, leafy greens, avocados, olive oil, eggs, and bone broth while avoiding sugar, processed foods, and seed oils. We also recommend key supplements like magnesium, omega-3s, and prenatal vitamins when needed.

Common Causes of Pregnancy Pain

Low Back Pain

Why is low back pain so common during pregnancy?

Low back pain is very common because your belly grows forward, shifting your center of gravity and putting extra stress on your low back and pelvis. Hormones also loosen ligaments, making the spine and pelvis less stable.

What causes low back pain during pregnancy?

The main causes are a tilted pelvis, subluxations in the lower back, weak glutes, and tight hip flexors. These create poor brain-to-body communication, so your muscles have to work harder just to keep you upright.

What techniques do you use to relieve low back pain during pregnancy?

I use gentle, pregnancy-safe adjustments to restore alignment, ShockWave to reduce inflammation and muscle tension, and simple at-home exercises to strengthen the glutes and core so the low back doesn’t have to do all the work.

Pelvic Pain

Why is pelvic pain common during pregnancy?

Pelvic pain is very common during pregnancy because your body releases the hormone relaxin, which loosens ligaments to prepare for birth. At the same time, your growing belly shifts your center of gravity forward and puts extra stress on your pelvis and low back. This combination often makes the sacroiliac joints and pubic bone unstable, leading to pain in the front, back, or sides of the pelvis.

What are the causes of pelvic pain?

The main causes are misaligned sacroiliac joints, pubic symphysis dysfunction, and subluxations in the low back or pelvis. As ligaments loosen and the baby grows, these areas can become unstable or irritated, especially if there was any previous posture or alignment issue. This creates uneven pressure and inflammation that shows up as sharp or aching pelvic pain.

Why is it important to address pain right away?

Addressing pelvic pain early prevents it from getting worse and affecting how you walk, sleep, and carry your baby. Untreated pain can lead to compensations that cause additional issues in your hips, back, or even make labor more difficult. Getting it corrected early keeps you more comfortable and helps everything stay better aligned for delivery.

What techniques do you use to relieve pelvic pain?

We use very gentle, pregnancy-safe adjustments to realign the pelvis and sacroiliac joints. I also give you simple at-home exercises to stabilize the area and support your changing body. Most moms notice significant relief within just a few visits and feel much more comfortable as pregnancy progresses.

Headaches

How common are headaches during pregnancy?

Headaches are quite common during pregnancy, especially in the first and third trimesters. They affect many women due to hormonal changes, increased stress, dehydration, and the shifting posture caused by the growing belly. While they’re common, they don’t have to be something you just put up with.

What causes these headaches?

Many pregnancy headaches are caused by tension in the neck and upper back from poor posture, dehydration, hormonal shifts, and subluxations in the upper neck that irritate nerves going to the head. As your belly grows, your center of gravity changes, which often puts extra strain on the neck and shoulders. This combination can trigger both tension headaches and migraines.

How can chiropractic care help prevent and relieve pregnancy headaches?

Gentle upper-neck adjustments improve nerve communication, reduce muscle tension, and help restore proper blood flow to the brain. This often decreases both the frequency and intensity of headaches without the need for medication. Many pregnant moms notice they feel clearer and more comfortable after just a few visits.

Symphysis Pubis Disorder (SPD)

What is SPD?  What does it feel like?  Why is it so common?

SPD is when the pubic bone becomes unstable and painful due to loosened ligaments. It feels like sharp, burning, or aching pain in the front of the pelvis, especially when walking, climbing stairs, or turning in bed. It’s very common because pregnancy hormones make ligaments lax while the growing baby adds more stress to the pelvis.

What is Relaxin?

Relaxin is a hormone released during pregnancy that makes ligaments and joints more flexible to prepare for birth. While helpful for delivery, it can also make the pelvis unstable and painful if the joints aren’t properly aligned.

How does chiropractic care help with hormone regulation and adjusting to the changes relaxin makes in the body?

Chiropractic doesn’t change hormone levels directly, but it keeps the pelvis and spine balanced so the body can better handle the effects of relaxin. This reduces pain and instability while helping everything function more smoothly.

Round Ligament Pain

What is the round ligament?  Why is round ligament pain common during pregnancy?

The round ligaments are thick bands of tissue that support your uterus and help hold it in place as your baby grows. During pregnancy, these ligaments stretch rapidly to accommodate the expanding uterus, which can cause sudden pain. This is very common, especially in the second trimester, because the ligaments are working hard while your belly grows quickly.

What does round ligament pain feel like?

It usually feels like a sharp, stabbing, or pulling sensation on one or both sides of your lower belly. The pain often comes on suddenly with quick movements, like getting out of bed, coughing, or changing positions. It can take your breath away for a few seconds but usually passes quickly.

What techniques do you use to relieve round ligament pain?

We use gentle pelvic adjustments to balance the uterus and reduce excessive tension on the ligaments. I also teach you safe, pregnancy-friendly stretches and movements to ease the strain. Most moms notice significant relief when we keep the pelvis properly aligned and supported.

Sciatica

What is sciatica?

Sciatica is pain that travels down the back of the leg, usually caused by irritation or pressure on the sciatic nerve. It can range from a mild ache to sharp, burning pain that makes walking or sitting difficult. This is one of the most common complaints we see in pregnant moms.

What causes sciatica?

During pregnancy, sciatica is often caused by a misaligned pelvis or low back subluxation that pinches the nerve as it exits the spine. The growing baby and loosened ligaments can also shift the pelvis, putting extra pressure on the nerve roots.

What are the symptoms?

Common symptoms include shooting pain, burning, numbness, or tingling that runs from the low back or buttock down one leg, sometimes all the way to the foot. It can also cause weakness in the leg or difficulty walking.

How can you prevent sciatic pain?

Keeping the pelvis and low back properly aligned through regular chiropractic care helps prevent the nerve from getting irritated. Gentle adjustments and specific stabilizing exercises can maintain good pelvic balance as your body changes.

How can chiropractic care relieve sciatic nerve pain?

Gentle adjustments restore pelvic balance and take pressure off the sciatic nerve. We also use specific stretches and positioning to reduce muscle tension around the nerve. Most pregnant moms notice significant relief in leg pain and improved mobility within the first few visits.

Pregnancy-related Nausea

What is “morning sickness”? Is it just in the mornings?

Morning sickness is nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. Although it’s called “morning” sickness, it can happen any time of day or even last all day for some women. It’s very common, especially in the first trimester.

What are the causes?

Hormonal changes, low blood sugar, stress on the nervous system, and upper neck tension can all contribute to nausea. When the upper neck is misaligned, it can affect signals going to the brain and stomach, making nausea worse.

Who is most at risk?

Women carrying multiples, those with a history of motion sickness, and moms with upper neck subluxations tend to have more severe nausea. First-time moms and women with high stress levels are also more likely to experience it.

When does it become a problem?

It becomes a problem when it interferes with eating, drinking, weight gain, or daily life, or if you can’t keep fluids down. Severe nausea can lead to dehydration and exhaustion, which isn’t good for you or the baby.

What are the chiropractic solutions to naturally ease “morning sickness”?

Gentle upper-neck adjustments often reduce nausea by improving nerve communication and blood flow to the brain and stomach. Many moms notice a big difference within the first few visits. We also give simple at-home tips to help manage it between appointments.

Intrauterine Constraint

Why is intrauterine constraint bad?

It restricts the amount of space the baby has to move and get into the best position for birth. This can lead to longer labor, breech presentation, or other complications during delivery. It also puts extra stress on both mom and baby.

What causes it?

A misaligned or tight pelvis and tight uterine ligaments are the most common causes. When the pelvis is unbalanced, it can limit the room the baby needs to turn head-down.

What does it feel like?

Many moms feel like the baby is “stuck” in one position or notice unusual pressure and discomfort in the belly. Some describe it as the baby not moving as much or feeling cramped in certain areas.

What techniques can prevent and address intrauterine constraint?

The Webster Technique is specifically designed to balance the pelvis and release tension in the ligaments, giving the baby more room to move into the optimal head-down position naturally. Gentle adjustments and specific stretches also help keep the pelvis mobile and spacious throughout pregnancy.

Breech Baby

What is the proper positioning of a baby during delivery?

The ideal position is head-down, facing the mom’s back. This allows the smallest part of the baby’s head to come first, making labor smoother and safer for both mom and baby.

What is a breech position? Why is it dangerous?

Breech means the baby is bottom or feet first. It increases the risk of complications during delivery and often leads to a C-section. It can also make labor longer and more stressful for the baby.

What causes a baby to breech?

A misaligned or tight pelvis can restrict the space the baby needs to turn head-down. Stress on the nervous system and muscle tension can also play a role in limiting the baby’s movement.

How can you prevent breech delivery?

The Webster Technique helps balance the pelvis and reduce tension in the ligaments, giving the baby more room to move into the proper head-down position naturally. Regular chiropractic care throughout pregnancy helps keep the pelvis mobile and spacious.

Urinary Incontinence

What causes urinary incontinence in pregnant women?

The growing baby puts pressure on the bladder, and pregnancy hormones loosen the pelvic floor muscles, making it harder to control urine — especially when coughing, sneezing, or laughing. Poor pelvic alignment from subluxations can make this even worse.

How can it be prevented?

Specific pelvic floor and core stabilizing exercises, along with chiropractic care to keep the pelvis balanced, can significantly reduce or prevent leakage. Gentle adjustments help restore proper pelvic stability and support the pelvic floor.

When should you raise alarm bells over it?

If you’re leaking frequently, can’t hold urine at all, or notice any pain with urination, it’s worth getting checked right away. These can sometimes point to other issues that need attention during pregnancy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is chiropractic safe during pregnancy? 

Yes, chiropractic is very safe during pregnancy when performed by a trained chiropractor. We use gentle, low-force techniques and special positioning that never puts pressure on your belly.

When should you start seeing a chiropractor during pregnancy?

The sooner the better. Many women start in the first trimester to help with nausea, headaches, and to keep the pelvis balanced as their body begins changing rapidly.

Can chiropractic adjustments cause miscarriage?

You and your baby’s safety is our number one priority. That said, there is no evidence that gentle prenatal chiropractic adjustments cause miscarriage. The techniques we use are specifically modified to be extremely safe for pregnant moms.

Can you go to the chiropractor in the first trimester?

Absolutely. Getting care early often reduces morning sickness, headaches, and prevents low back and pelvic problems before they become more difficult.

Is it normal to have lower back pain in early pregnancy?

It’s very common, but it’s not something you have to just deal with. Hormones loosen ligaments, and your posture starts to shift, which can make the lower back unstable and painful.

How do you relieve lower back pain during pregnancy?

We use gentle adjustments to restore alignment in the low back and pelvis, along with ShockWave to calm tight muscles and reduce inflammation—most moms feel noticeable relief without medication.

When does low back pain start in pregnancy?

It can begin as early as the first trimester, but it usually becomes more noticeable in the second and third trimesters as the belly grows and pulls your center of gravity forward.

How do you relieve pelvic pain during pregnancy?

Gentle adjustments to the sacroiliac joints and pubic bone help restore balance and stability. We also use acupressure to ease ligament and muscle tension, giving most women fast relief.

Is it normal for your pelvis to hurt during pregnancy?

It’s very common because pregnancy hormones loosen the ligaments while the baby’s weight adds extra stress to the pelvis. The good news is that balancing the joints early usually makes a big difference in comfort.

Who is the best chiropractor for pregnancy in Sandy, UT?

Dr. Travis Arrington at White Bison Well-Being is one of the most experienced prenatal chiropractors in Sandy. We use safe, gentle techniques and have helped many local moms stay active and comfortable throughout their entire pregnancy.