The Benefits of Chiropractic Care for Pregnancy and Postpartum: Q&A with Dr. Aesha of Laurelhurst Chiropractic in Portland

Chiropractic care offers gentle, effective support for the whole family, from pregnancy through the newborn stage and beyond. During pregnancy regular chiropractic adjustments can help ease discomfort, encourage optimal fetal positioning for birth, and prepare the entire body for labor and birth. After delivery, chiropractic care can support postpartum healing, improve mobility, and help restore balance to the body.

Infants can also benefit from gentle chiropractic adjustments, which may help with issues such as latching or breastfeeding challenges, oral ties, digestive discomfort, colic, and overall body tension after birth.

We had a chance to chat with Dr. Aesha of Laurelhurst Chiropractic, along with co-owner Alexa Wilkes, all to learn more about how chiropractic care benefits expecting and new parents and their kiddos. Based in Portland, Oregon, Laurelhurst Chiropractic manages and treats a variety of clients including those with general neck and back pain, scoliosis, injuries after auto-accidents, and pediatric and prenatal patients.

Dr. Aesha specializes in family-centered care and works closely with pregnant women, new mothers, and children to support comfort and wellness. Below, she answers some of the most common questions we hear from families considering chiropractic care during pregnancy and postpartum.

Dr. Aesha Marie Carrillo - PDX Chiropractor

What inspired you to become a chiropractor, and what led you to specialize in prenatal and family care?

I was inspired to become a chiropractor after having worked with chiropractors as an assistant. While I was working as a CA, got into a car accident and started getting regular chiropractic care and found it worked well to get me to full recovery. I’ve always had a heart for caring for infants, so when I found out about prenatal and pediatric chiropractic while I was in school, I naturally gravitated toward it. When I became pregnant with my own daughter, chiropractic became a very necessary part of my journey and I wanted to provide the best care for other expectant mothers and their babies.

What issues do you see most often in your pregnant clients, and how can chiropractic care provide relief?

Some common pregnancy discomforts we typically treat are low back pain, sciatica, arm numbness and tingling, pelvic floor dysfunction and pelvic pain. We use the Webster technique, designed to allow the pelvis and sacrum to move well with each other, because they typically move A LOT when pregnant which can cause many of the lower body discomforts we see. We also practice safe, gentle soft tissue and adjusting techniques to address the upper body symptoms. Typically, I recommend a “less is more” approach with pregnant patients. You really don’t need a lot during this time as far as body work, but a little bit goes a long way to help make you as comfortable as possible!

Many parents are nervous about chiropractic care during pregnancy or for their baby. What do you say to help ease those fears?

Chiropractic during pregnancy is completely safe for both the mom and the baby! The best tip I could give is to ask all your questions prior to your appointment and make sure your chiropractor specializes in prenatal/postnatal care. There are some contraindications such as traction to the lower back, heat to the lower back, and rotational adjustments to the lumbar region generally after the 2nd trimester, but your chiropractor should be well aware of these before treating you.

We hear a lot about The Webster Technique for optimal fetal positioning and more specifically for breech babies. Can you explain what that is and how it works?

The Webster Technique is a specialized technique for pregnant patients, targeting the pelvic and sacral relationship. It involves addressing all the structures that act on these two bones so that their movements can be balanced to create the most optimal environment for the fetus to have enough room to flip and drop into the pelvic bowl. As chiropractors, we are not actually practicing the act of “spinning babies” but this is a passive approach to allow the baby to flip if the issue is structural. It can be used throughout the entirety of a patient’s pregnancy.

What kinds of issues do you treat in infants or children, and how does pediatric chiropractic care differ from adult care?

I typically see infants soon after they are born. Typical issues I treat are acid reflux, “colic”, oral tethers, and fascial tension from being in the womb. We do not use high velocity low amplitude adjustments on infants, simply because their bodies don’t need that much movement. Infant bodies respond well to slow, gentle techniques to move what needs to be moved. I specifically focus most of my attention toward loosening up the oral tissues, because a lot of issues stem from oral tension. I’ve found that if I treat the tightness in the mouth first, it is much easier to address the other concerns like neck tension or sacral tension. Some chiropractors are trained in the craniosacral technique, and this can help to “unwind” the fascia and help relieve some general tension, and often helps babies feel more relaxed and get better sleep. Make sure to ask your chiropractor how they treat infants, because everyone does something a little different.

Chiropractic care can be a gentle and effective way to help your body heal and function its best in both pregnancy and postpartum. Dr. Aesha and the team at Laurelhurst Chiropractic are proud to serve families throughout the Portland area, helping parents and babies feel supported, aligned, and ready for the next stage of their journey.

You can learn more about Laurelhurst Chiropractic and Dr. Aesha on their website and Instagram. They offer same day and next day appointments and accept most major insurance plans. They’re office is located at: 2705 East Burnside Street, Suite 213 Portland , OR

If you’re in the PDX area and need relief from pregnancy ailments or simply want to prepare your body for birth, Dr. Aesha is your gal. Pay her a visit and tell her we said hello! And National Baby Co is here to help you build the rest of your support team for a smoother, more empowered transition into parenthood.