Prenatal Massage Not Helping Your Back Pain? Pregnancy Back & Sciatic Pain Relief in Danville, CA
Do you leave your prenatal massage feeling great, only to have the same ache come back a day or two later?
Maybe you:
- Get relief for a day or two, then the pain returns
- Have low back or hip pain that wakes you at night
- Feel pain running down one leg
- Notice one side of your pelvis or low back feels tighter than the other
- Have pain rolling over, getting out of the car or climbing stairs
- Have already tried stretching, a support belt and more than one massage
Many moms assume this means they just need more massage, or that pregnancy pain is something to push through.
I love getting a good massage! But what I often hear from my pregnant and postpartum mamas is that their massage didn't go deep enough, or that they still hurt afterward.
Pain and discomfort are common during pregnancy. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) calls backache one of the most common pregnancy problems. But common doesn't mean normal, and it doesn't have to be your normal. Pain that keeps coming back can give us information about how your joints, muscles and nerves are working together as your body changes.
At The Well Chiropractic & Lactation Support, Dr. Kara Rangel, DC, IBCLC provides prenatal chiropractic care in Danville, CA and focused soft tissue therapy to look at what may be driving your pain.
If your pain keeps coming back after massage, the question isn't simply:
“How do I get more relief from my massages?”
Why does this keep coming back?
In this article (11 sections)
- Why Is My Prenatal Massage Not Helping My Back Pain?
- What Causes Back, Hip and Sciatic Pain During Pregnancy?
- Prenatal Chiropractor vs. Prenatal Massage: What's the Difference?
- What Does a Prenatal Chiropractor in Danville Do?
- What Is the Webster Technique?
- Is Deep Tissue Massage or Bodywork Safe During Pregnancy?
- Can a Chiropractor Help With Sciatica During Pregnancy?
- What Can I Do at Home for Pregnancy Back Pain?
- What Happens at Your First Prenatal Bodywork Visit in Danville?
- Prenatal Chiropractic + Focused Bodywork in Danville & the East Bay
- Prenatal Back Pain & Chiropractic Care: Frequently Asked Questions
Why Is My Prenatal Massage Not Helping My Back Pain?
Prenatal massage can be wonderful. It can ease stress, help you sleep and simply feel good. But when you're dealing with a specific problem, it can fall short for a few reasons:
The goal is relaxation
A typical session spreads light to moderate pressure across your whole body, so you may get only a few minutes on the spot that bothers you most.
It works on muscle, but the problem may involve a joint
Tight muscles are often protecting something. If a joint in your pelvis or low back isn't moving well, the muscles around it can tighten again soon after a massage.
There's usually no exam
Most massage appointments start with a short chat, so no one is working out why the pain started.
The pressure may be too light for what you need
Many massage therapists understandably go gentle during pregnancy. Firm, focused work can be appropriate when it's adapted for you (more on safety below).
That's not a knock on massage. It's just doing a different job than figuring out why you hurt.
What Causes Back, Hip and Sciatic Pain During Pregnancy?
Your body changes quickly during pregnancy, and several changes can add up. ACOG explains that your growing uterus shifts your center of gravity and stretches and weakens your abdominal muscles, and that extra weight means your muscles and joints work harder. Common contributors include:
Hormonal changes
Pregnancy hormones, including relaxin, can soften ligaments to prepare your pelvis for birth. Looser ligaments can make the joints of the pelvis and low back feel less stable.
A shifting center of gravity
As your belly grows, your posture changes. Many people arch the low back more, which can overwork the muscles in the low back, hips and glutes.
Tight, overworked muscles
Muscles like the glutes and piriformis can tighten and irritate nearby nerves, causing sciatic-type pain down the leg.
SI joint and pelvic stress
The sacroiliac (SI) joints and pubic joint take on extra load. Restricted or uneven movement there can cause deep, often one-sided hip or low back pain, including pregnancy hip pain at night.
Daily habits
Long stretches of sitting or driving, sleep positions and lifting a toddler can all add strain.
Pregnancy pain is common. But common doesn't mean you have to just push through it.
Prenatal Chiropractor vs. Prenatal Massage: What's the Difference?
Both can be helpful. They just do different jobs. Here's how a typical relaxation-focused prenatal massage compares with a Root Cause Reset visit with a chiropractor:
| Feature | Typical prenatal massage | Root Cause Reset with a chiropractor |
|---|---|---|
| Main goal | Relaxation and stress relief | Focused relief for specific areas of tension and restricted movement |
| Starts with | A short chat about comfort and preferences | A 30-minute exam and health history on your first visit |
| Pressure | Usually light to moderate | Firm and targeted when appropriate, adjusted to your preferences |
| Focus | Often the whole body | One or two problem areas |
| Techniques | Massage strokes | Trigger point release, deep muscle release, stretching and, when appropriate, cupping or scraping |
| Joint work | Not typically included | Optional pregnancy-adapted chiropractic adjustment |
| Plan afterward | Varies | An explanation of what was found plus home guidance |
I love both. If you've had plenty of relaxation massage and still hurt, the third column may be the missing piece.
Want focused work on your problem areas? Start with an exam.
What Does a Prenatal Chiropractor in Danville Do?
As a Doctor of Chiropractic, I'm trained to evaluate and diagnose neuromusculoskeletal issues, meaning problems involving the nerves, muscles and joints. I focus my practice on pregnancy, postpartum and pediatric care. A visit can include:
A real exam
A 30-minute exam and health history so we understand your pain, your pregnancy and how you move.
Adjustments adapted for pregnancy (optional)
Gentle chiropractic adjustments to restore movement in the spine and pelvis, if you choose them.
Focused soft tissue therapy
Trigger point release, deep muscle release, stretching and, when appropriate, cupping or scraping on the specific areas that need it.
Home guidance
Simple exercises, positions and habits to support the work between visits.
This is what we offer in the Root Cause Reset: focused work aimed at the tension and restricted movement behind your discomfort. It's made for moms who've had plenty of relaxation massage and want something more targeted.
What Is the Webster Technique?
The Webster Technique is a specific chiropractic analysis and adjustment used during pregnancy. According to the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA), its goal is to reduce the effects of sacral and SI joint dysfunction and support better pelvic function. I'm Webster Technique certified, and it can be part of a prenatal visit when your exam shows it's appropriate.
I want to be clear about what it is and isn't. The technique's history is tied to breech babies, but I don't promise any effect on your baby's position or on your labor. My goal is to help your pelvis and low back move and feel better.
Is Deep Tissue Massage or Bodywork Safe During Pregnancy?
Firm, focused work can be appropriate during pregnancy when it's adapted for you. Pressure, positioning and techniques change with your trimester and history, and some areas are approached with extra care.
I review your pregnancy history at your exam, and I'm trained to look for red flags and to know when treatment is appropriate and when a second opinion is the better choice.
Most of the time, everything is fine.
If anything concerns me, I'll refer you to your OB or midwife before we move forward.
We'll also talk about your pressure preferences at the beginning of your appointment. The work can feel deep and intense, but the goal is for it to feel productive, not harmful, and I check in with you throughout your session to make sure you're comfortable.
Can a Chiropractor Help With Sciatica During Pregnancy?
Yes! Sciatic-type pain can come from different places, including the low back, the pelvis and tight muscles in the hip, so I start with an exam to find out where yours is coming from. Then I tailor your care to the cause. That may include a gentle, pregnancy-adapted adjustment to restore motion in the low back and pelvis, trigger point release and deep muscle release for the tight hip and glute muscles that can irritate the nerve, stretching, and exercises you can do at home.
What Can I Do at Home for Pregnancy Back Pain?
Try these at home
- Sleep on your side with pillows. ACOG suggests side-lying with your knees bent and pillows under your knees and belly.
- Use good body mechanics. Squat to lift instead of bending at the waist, and rest one foot on a low stool when you stand for a while.
- Try heat or cold. Heat or cold for 10 to 20 minutes at a time can ease soreness. If you use a heating pad, keep it on the lowest setting and wrap it in a towel.
- Wear supportive shoes. Flip flops and shoes without good support can affect your entire chain and may be the reason for your low back pain! Dr. Kara will also look at this with you.
- Keep moving gently. Walking or water exercise can help, and you should stop any exercise that causes pain.
These steps can help day to day. If your pain keeps returning anyway, that's when an exam can add useful information.
What Happens at Your First Prenatal Bodywork Visit in Danville?
80 minutes total
A 30-minute exam and health history, followed by a 50-minute hands-on session.
Focused work
The session is built around one or two problem areas, not a full-body routine.
An optional adjustment
It's included if you'd like one, and it's your choice.
Possible marks
Cupping and scraping can leave temporary marks. They're typically not painful and usually fade over several days. I'll let you know what to expect and whether they're right for you.
What to wear
Dress so I can get to the areas you want me to focus on. Loose clothing works well, and comfortable underwear and a bra are fine underneath. Dresses aren't a good choice. Gowns are available if you need to change.
Your first visit is $275 and includes the exam, a $375 value. A package of three sessions is $699 and includes the exam on your first visit.
Prenatal Chiropractic + Focused Bodywork in Danville & the East Bay
At The Well Chiropractic & Lactation Support, Dr. Kara Rangel, DC, IBCLC provides pregnancy and postpartum chiropractic care, chiropractic adjustments and focused soft tissue therapy in Danville, with additional availability in Livermore.
If you're searching for prenatal massage in Danville, CA and want something more targeted than a relaxation massage, the Root Cause Reset combines an exam, focused bodywork and an optional adjustment in one visit.
Families visit The Well from throughout the East Bay, including:
- Danville
- Alamo
- San Ramon
- Walnut Creek
- Lafayette
- Pleasant Hill
- Livermore
- Pleasanton
- Dublin
- and surrounding communities
Prenatal Back Pain & Chiropractic Care: Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my prenatal massage not helping my back pain?
Prenatal massage is usually designed for relaxation, so it may not address a joint restriction, an irritated nerve or a deeper pattern of tension. An exam that looks at why you hurt, followed by focused work on the specific areas involved, can add what a relaxation massage doesn't.
Is it safe to see a chiropractor while pregnant?
Chiropractic care is commonly used during pregnancy when it's provided by someone trained in pregnancy care. Dr. Kara is Webster Technique certified, reviews your pregnancy history at your exam, adapts care to your trimester and will refer you to your OB or midwife if anything calls for it.
Is deep tissue massage safe during pregnancy?
Firm, focused work can be appropriate when it's adapted to your trimester and history and no red flags are present. Dr. Kara talks with you about your pressure preferences and checks in throughout your session. If you have a high-risk pregnancy or any concerns, check with your OB or midwife first.
Can chiropractic care help sciatica during pregnancy?
Yes! Sciatic-type pain can come from the low back, the pelvis or tight hip muscles, so your exam comes first. Dr. Kara then tailors your care to the cause, which may include a gentle pregnancy-adapted adjustment, trigger point and deep muscle release for the hip and glutes, stretching and home exercises.
How many sessions will I need?
It depends on what's going on and how long it's been there. Many people start with a package of three so there's time to build on the first session. Dr. Kara will talk with you about what makes sense after your exam.
Will cupping or scraping leave marks?
They can. Cupping often leaves round marks and scraping can leave temporary redness. These marks are typically not painful and usually fade over several days. Dr. Kara decides whether these techniques are right for you.
What should I wear to a prenatal bodywork appointment?
Dress so Dr. Kara can get to the areas you want her to focus on. Loose clothing works well, and comfortable underwear and a bra are fine underneath. Dresses aren't a good choice. Gowns are available if you need to change.
Do you offer prenatal chiropractic care in Livermore?
Yes. Dr. Kara sees patients in Danville and in Livermore on Tuesdays from 9am to 12pm. You can book either location online.
Book a Prenatal Back Pain Evaluation in Danville, CA
If your back, hip or leg pain keeps coming back, there may be a reason.
Instead of booking another massage and hoping it lasts, let's look at what's going on. We'll start with an exam, talk about what you've tried and focus on the areas that need it most.
Schedule a Root Cause Reset at The Well Chiropractic & Lactation Support in Danville or Livermore today.
The Well Chiropractic & Lactation Support
Danville: 199 E. Linda Mesa Ave., Suite 12, Danville, CA 94526
Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 8:15am-5:30pm; Friday 8:15am-1:00pm; Saturday 9:00am-12:00pm
Livermore (Tuesdays 9am-12pm): 1457 1st Street, Livermore, CA 94550
Phone: 510-634-5574
About the author: Dr. Kara Rangel, DC, IBCLC
Dr. Kara Rangel is a chiropractor and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant who focuses on pregnancy, postpartum and pediatric care. She holds a doctorate in chiropractic, is Webster Technique certified, and is the founder of The Well Chiropractic & Lactation Support in Danville, CA. Learn more about Dr. Kara.
Keep reading: Postpartum Neck & Back Pain Relief in Danville, CA
Sources and further reading
This article is for general education and isn't medical advice. It doesn't replace care from your OB, midwife or doctor. Tell your provider about any new or worsening symptoms, and call them or 911 for anything urgent. Individual results vary.
