Your Body Was Designed for This: Why PerinatalChiropractic Care Matters at Every Stage

By Dr. Ericka Lupardus, Empowered Life Chiropractic

When I tell people I specialize in perinatal chiropractic care, I'm often met with the same response: "Wait, is it safe to see a chiropractor while pregnant?"

Let me be clear—not only is it safe, it's one of the most supportive things you can do for your body during this transformative time. And here's what most people don't realize: perinatal care isn't just for when you're already pregnant. Whether you're trying to conceive, currently expecting, or navigating the postpartum season, your nervous system and pelvic alignment play a crucial role in your body's ability to thrive.

It Starts Before Conception

Fertility isn't just a women's health issue—it's a whole-body issue for both partners. I've been

honored to walk alongside couples who've spent years and tens of thousands of dollars on fertility treatments, only to conceive naturally after focusing on one foundational piece: optimizing their nervous systems.

Your nervous system controls everything—including communication to your reproductive organs. When there's interference in the low back or pelvis, those signals can't get through clearly. By removing that interference and ensuring proper alignment, we're creating the optimal environment for conception. It's not magic. It's your body working the way it was designed to.

Pregnancy: Common Doesn't Mean Normal

Once you're expecting, you've probably been told that heartburn, sciatic pain, pubic bone discomfort, and relentless nausea are just "part of pregnancy." While these symptoms are common, they don't have to be your reality.

As the only chiropractor in Wise County with advanced perinatal certification through the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA), I use specialized techniques—including Webster Technique—to address the unique changes your body undergoes during pregnancy. We're not doing the big manual adjustments you see on social media. Instead, we're focusing on:

• Pelvic alignment to create optimal space for your growing baby

• Nervous system support so your body can adapt and function without interference

• Muscle and ligament balance to reduce the aches and discomfort that pregnancy brings

I've worked with mothers whose breech babies turned head-down. I've supported women through twin pregnancies who went on to have successful vaginal births. Even if you're planning a cesarean section, alignment matters—whether you're carrying one baby or multiples, we want to make sure they have all the necessary room to grow optimally and that your body is functioning at its best for delivery and recovery.

Postpartum and Pediatric Care: The Journey Continues

Your care doesn't end at delivery. The postpartum period is just as important, whether you're navigating recovery, struggling with lactation, or concerned about your newborn's feeding or sleeping patterns. As a former doula and a mother myself, I understand the overwhelm of those early weeks.

I also provide pediatric assessments, including support for oral ties and breastfeeding challenges. When your baby's nervous system is functioning optimally from day one, you're setting them up for better sleep, feeding, and development.

This Is Complementary Care—Not Either/Or

I want to emphasize: chiropractic care works alongside your medical team. Whether you're birthing at home, at a birth center, or in a hospital, my role is to educate, support, and help you make informed decisions. You have rights. You have options. And you deserve to feel empowered in creating the birth plan that's right for you.

Why I Do This Work

I've been focused on perinatal and pediatric care since I was in chiropractic school, and I graduated from Parker University in 2018. Over the past eight years, I've had the privilege of supporting hundreds of families through every stage—from that first hopeful pregnancy test to holding their baby for the first time.

There is so much love and passion in this work. I'm honored to walk alongside women during one of the most vulnerable and powerful seasons of their lives. If you're reading this as a grandmother, daughter, or friend of someone who's trying to conceive, currently pregnant, or postpartum—please share this with her. She doesn't have to navigate this journey in discomfort or fear.

Your body was designed for this. Let's make sure it has everything it needs to do what it was made to do.

Start 2026 With Support

If you or someone you love is trying to conceive, expecting a baby, or navigating postpartum in the new year, now is the time to prioritize your care. Call us at 940-441-2277 or schedule online at empoweredlife-chiro.com to book your new patient appointment. Let's make 2026 the year you feel supported, aligned, and empowered.

Dr. Ericka Lupardus is a chiropractor specializing in perinatal and pediatric care at Empowered Life Chiropractic, located on Decatur Town Square.