Pregnancy & postpartum care
Pregnancy and the months after birth place huge demands on the spine, pelvis, ribs, and pelvic floor. Low back pain, pelvic girdle pain, rib pain, and other musculoskeletal complaints are extremely common—studies suggest around 45–63% of pregnant women experience pregnancy-related low back and/or pelvic girdle pain, and many continue to have pain postpartum.
Hormones, a changing centre of gravity, altered breathing, and lifting/carrying a baby all affect how your body loads and stabilises. Nerves can also become irritated, leading to sciatica, carpal tunnel symptoms, or tingling in the hands and feet.
At Roots Health Clinic in Prague, we provide safe, pregnancy-aware chiropractic and physiotherapy care to help with back, pelvic, rib, neck, and hip pain during pregnancy and after birth. We also support recovery from C-sections, diastasis recti, and postural issues related to feeding and baby care.
We’re currently developing a new online educational course about exercise during pregnancy to help mums-to-be move with confidence at home—launching soon.
Care for the muscles, joints & nerves
Pregnancy is not an illness—but it is a major physical event.
Common complaints we hear from pregnant and postpartum women include:
“My lower back and pelvis hurt when I walk or stand.”
“Rolling in bed or getting up feels painful and unstable.”
“I have rib pain and can’t take a deep breath comfortably.”
“My hips and groin feel jammed or tight.”
“My wrists tingle and my hands go numb at night.”
“My core feels weak and my tummy still looks ‘domed’ when I sit up.”
These symptoms are common, but they are not something you have to just endure. There is a lot we can do to help you feel more supported during pregnancy and to recover well after birth.
What's going on in the body?
During pregnancy, your body adapts in many ways:
Hormonal changes (relaxin, progesterone, oestrogen)
increase ligament laxity and joint mobility, especially around the pelvis and spine
Postural changes
growing uterus shifts your centre of gravity forward
more load on the lower back, hips, and pelvic girdle
Breathing and rib cage changes
diaphragm is pushed upwards
rib cage widens and may become stiff or sore
Circulation and fluid changes
can contribute to swelling and nerve entrapments (e.g. carpal tunnel, wrist and hand numbness)
After birth, there’s another big shift:
abdominal wall and pelvic floor are adapting after pregnancy and delivery
C-section scars or perineal tears/episiotomies can affect movement and muscle activation
feeding/breastfeeding postures and lifting/carrying baby add new strain
It’s no surprise that postpartum musculoskeletal pain (especially low back, neck, and hip pain) is very common. Some studies report back pain in 70–80%+ of postpartum women.
Why you might be feeling this way
Key contributors to pregnancy and postpartum pain include:
Hormonal laxity + load
looser ligaments + extra weight and postural changes → more strain on joints and muscles
Changes in core and pelvic floor
pregnancy stretches abdominal wall and pelvic floor
after birth, these structures need time and guidance to work well again
Deconditioning and fatigue
sleep disruption, stress, and less time for structured exercise
muscles tire faster and struggle to stabilise joints
Repetitive postures and tasks
feeding, rocking, carrying, bending over cots and prams
often done with poor ergonomics because you’re simply exhausted
Metabolic and neurological conditions (in some women)
diabetes or gestational diabetes increasing risk of peripheral neuropathy
conditions like multiple sclerosis (MS) may flare or change course around pregnancy and postpartum
these require medical management, and we coordinate care appropriately
Our role is to understand which of these factors are most relevant for you, then build a plan that fits real life with a baby.
How we can help at Roots
Your care plan at Roots Health Clinic is always tailored, but may include:
Physiotherapy & pregnancy-aware exercise
gentle, stage-appropriate exercises during pregnancy
pelvic girdle and hip stability work
core and breathing training that respects the bump and pelvic floor
postpartum core, pelvic floor–safe progressions and return-to-exercise planning
Chiropractic care & joint mechanics
webster technique for optimal pelvic function
gentle adjustments and mobilisations for spine, pelvis, and ribs
supoort of a pregnancy pillow that allows for laying on front
improving alignment and movement to reduce mechanical stress
Manual therapy & soft-tissue treatment
releasing tight muscles in the neck, shoulders, back, hips, and pelvis
work around scars (C-section, episiotomy) when appropriate
Posture & baby-care ergonomics
comfortable feeding positions
lifting and carrying strategies (baby, car seat, pram)
bed, pillow, and workstation adjustments
Lifestyle & nervous system support
pacing strategies in early postpartum
simple breathing and relaxation techniques
basic guidance around movement and gentle activity while respecting your obstetric care team’s advice
We always work alongside your midwife, obstetrician, GP, and pelvic floor specialist (when involved). If something falls outside our scope, we’ll say so and help you get to the right person.
Pregnancy or postpartum pain? Get whole-body support in Prague
Pregnancy and postpartum are demanding enough without feeling like your body is falling apart.
At Roots Health Clinic in Prague, we:
listen to your story
assess how your spine, pelvis, ribs, and nervous system are coping
build a plan that fits real life with pregnancy or a baby
New Online Course – Exercise During Pregnancy
Coming Soon!
We’re developing a new online educational course focused on safe, effective exercise during pregnancy.
The course will include:
clear explanations of what changes in your body each trimester
guidance on what types of exercise are usually safe if your pregnancy is uncomplicated (and when to stop)
example routines for:
gentle strength and mobility
pelvic girdle and hip stability
core and breathing work that respects the bump and pelvic floor
tips on modifying common gym, yoga, and Pilates movements
preparation for postpartum recovery and return to activity
The course is designed as education and guidance, not a replacement for individual medical advice. You’ll be able to:
use it at home alongside your maternity care
combine it with in-person visits at Roots, if you wish
We’ll share more details and a launch date soon. You can join our clinic newsletter or ask at reception to be added to the pregnancy course waitlist.
When you should seek emergency care
We focus on muscles, joints, and nerves—but some symptoms need urgent medical or obstetric attention.
Contact your midwife/OB or emergency services urgently if you notice:
chest pain, shortness of breath, or sudden severe headache
sudden weakness, facial droop, or difficulty speaking (possible stroke)
heavy vaginal bleeding, fluid loss, or severe abdominal pain
calf pain with redness and swelling (possible DVT)
sudden, severe back or pelvic pain after trauma (fall, accident)
For any concerns about your baby’s movements, blood pressure, or pregnancy tests, your midwife/obstetric team is the first call.
What people often notice after care
With appropriate pregnancy/postpartum care, many women report:
less back, pelvic, and rib pain
easier walking, rolling in bed, and getting up from chairs
more comfortable feeding and baby-care positions
improved confidence in using their core and pelvic floor
clearer understanding of which exercises are appropriate and when to progress
feeling more supported, not just “told to put up with it”
Common pregnancy issues
During pregnancy, we often see:
Low back pain & pelvic girdle pain (PGP)
pain around the sacroiliac joints, pubic symphysis, hips, or lower back
worse with walking, stairs, turning in bed, standing on one leg
Rib and mid-back pain
discomfort under the shoulder blades or around the bra line
rib pain that worsens with sitting, slouching, or prolonged standing
Sciatica or leg pain
irritation of nerve roots or deep gluteal muscles
pain or tingling down the leg, sometimes into the foot
Neck and shoulder pain
from postural changes, sleep positions, screen use, and breast changes
Carpal tunnel and other mononeuropathies
median nerve irritation at the wrist from swelling/fluid changes
numbness or tingling in thumb and fingers, worse at night
We always keep your obstetric care in the loop—our focus is on musculoskeletal and nerve-related issues, not obstetric complications.