Patient Success Story Pregnancy Chiropractic Care at 31 Weeks She came in at 31 weeks pregnant with pain radiating down the left side of her leg and a deep ache in her tailbone she rated a 6 out of 10. She had felt something similar in past pregnancies but never had it treated, and she was honestly nervous that getting adjusted would hurt. Ray is a working mom with another little one at home, and she was trying to stay afloat with a job, a toddler, and a third-trimester body all at once. On exam, her low back range of motion was limited in every direction, though her muscle strength and sensitivity were within normal limits. Her positive orthopedic findings pointed toward SI joint involvement, sprain and strain, IVD syndrome, and sciatica — the kind of case where Pregnancy Chiropractic Care here in Plymouth, Minnesota can make a real difference. Key Takeaways THE CHALLENGETailbone pain at a 6 out of 10 and sciatic pain down the left leg at 31 weeks pregnant, paired with real fear that an adjustment would hurt. THE TREATMENTGentle Activator adjustments to the low back, Webster technique, trigger point work, and a drop table that let her lie face down comfortably. THE RESULTShe noticed less discomfort within about three appointments and stayed under care through delivery and a few visits afterward. Pregnancy changes the mechanics of the pelvis and low back quickly, and that leaves the sacroiliac joints and the sciatic nerve taking more load than they are used to. I chose the gentlest tools I have for her, because a patient who is bracing for pain is not going to relax, and a joint will not move well if everything around it is guarding. The goal was not to force anything — it was to restore motion where it was stuck and give the surrounding muscles a chance to let go. Project Summary Patient Profile: Working mother of one, 31 weeks pregnant at her first visit Project Location: Plymouth, Minnesota (Twin Cities West Metro) Primary Objective: Ease tailbone pain and radiating left-leg pain through Sciatica Treatment gentle enough for the third trimester Techniques Used: Activator instrument on the low back, Webster technique, and trigger point soft tissue work, selected from our full range of Chiropractic Techniques Key Outcome: Noticeable improvement within about three appointments, with weekly care continuing to delivery Third-Trimester Exam Findings Her history and exam told a consistent story. Low back range of motion was limited in all directions, her muscle strength and sensitivity tested within normal limits, and she had a positive Milgram sign along with a positive Minor's sign. Those findings together pointed to hip and sacroiliac involvement, sprain and strain, IVD syndrome, and sciatica. The pain she described sat in her tailbone and traveled down her left leg, which lines up with how a restricted SI joint and an irritated nerve root behave. She had carried similar discomfort through earlier pregnancies without any treatment, so this was a long-standing pattern finally getting attention. Her fear of the adjustment itself was just as much a part of the picture as the orthopedic findings. Activator and Webster Technique Care I talked her through every step before I did it. I showed her what the Activator — the little clicker — felt like in my hand first, then used it on her low back so there was no twisting and no popping. Alongside that I used Webster technique and trigger point work to stretch the tight areas and get the musculature to relax, and the more time I spent getting that area to move, the better it felt. Nothing was rushed, and she could talk as much or as little as she wanted the whole way through. "Dr. Bomberg is very knowledgeable and patient. I'm treating a back pain with him during my pregnancy. Would definitely recommend his service." - (Ray, Patient) Positioning mattered as much as technique. My tables have a drop section in the thoracic area, so the center drops down and leaves room for the belly once mom's belly pops — she could still lie face down, which is a position most pregnant patients miss dearly. After that very first adjustment she was no longer nervous, and she genuinely enjoyed the soft tissue work. If you are dealing with something similar and want help with Back Pain Relief during pregnancy, our Appointment Scheduling is built to work around real-life schedules. Steady Relief Through Delivery She started noticing a difference between appointments pretty quickly — I would say within about three visits she felt an improvement and less discomfort. When she hit 36 weeks, the discomfort picked up again, which is typical as baby grows and the waddle sets in, so weekly appointments became the rhythm that carried her to delivery. Then one week she simply did not show up, which is exactly what I tell expectant moms to do. If you go into delivery, do not worry about calling us — we figure the baby came, and the only expectation I have is a photo and a name. I saw her once or twice after the baby arrived, and then toddler time took over the calendar, which is honest and human. We stay in touch, because staying ahead of discomfort is always easier than chasing it. Pregnancy Care Close to Home We see expectant moms throughout their pregnancies here in Plymouth and across the West Metro, from the first trimester through postpartum. I use gentle options like the Activator and Webster technique, and I will always show you what something feels like before I do it. You guide your comfort level, and I steer toward what will help most. Dealing with sciatic pain, tailbone pain, or a low back that will not settle during your pregnancy in Plymouth? Take the first step toward feeling more like yourself again. Bomberg Chiropractic 15600 35th Ave. N #101, Plymouth, MN 55447 Call (763) 450-1755 or Schedule Online Frequently Asked Questions Is chiropractic care safe during pregnancy in Plymouth, MN? Yes, chiropractic is safe during pregnancy, and it is one of the main things I recommend for relief. It is a gentle, soft treatment, and I adapt the technique and the table setup to where you are in your pregnancy. Many moms also tell me it helps them feel more mobile as baby gets bigger. When should a pregnant patient start chiropractic care? I recommend coming in almost right away once you know you are pregnant. Think of it like a reverse bell curve: more visits up front to build a foundation, a lighter stretch around 18 to 24 weeks, then increasing again around 25 or 26 weeks. By 32 weeks we are usually seeing each other about once a week, sometimes twice, as the muscle tightness, soreness, and sleep trouble pick up. Will the adjustment hurt or make my joints pop? Done correctly, adjustments really are gentle and should not hurt. A lot of the fear comes from old techniques and from the way neck cracking gets shown in action movies, and that is not what this is. If you are hesitant, I will show you the Activator first and walk you through every step, and we can use soft tissue work to calm the muscles before anything else — you guide your comfort level, and I steer toward what helps.