Nervous System Focused Chiropractic
Nervous System Focused Chiropractic
Free Guide
Understanding round ligament pain and SPD, and why pelvic comfort, movement, and nervous-system stress can all be worth discussing during pregnancy
If you've experienced that splitting-in-half feeling during pregnancy, the one that stops you mid-step when you climb stairs, roll over in bed, or stand up too fast, it has a name. Symphysis pubis dysfunction, or SPD. It can be uncomfortable, and it is worth discussing with your OB or midwife alongside gentle options that may support your comfort.
A quick look at what is inside your guide.
Sharp Splitting Sensation in the Pelvis
The hallmark of SPD, a sharp, sometimes severe pain at the pubic joint that occurs with weight-bearing activities like walking, climbing stairs, or transitioning from sitting to standing.
Pain Rolling Over in Bed
One of the most common SPD complaints, the transition from one side to the other in bed triggers the pubic joint instability and produces sharp pain that disrupts sleep significantly.
One-Sided Round Ligament Stabbing
A sharp, catching pain on one or both sides of the lower abdomen, often triggered by sudden movement, sneezing, or coughing, as the round ligament responds to the tension.
Waddling or Altered Gait
Many moms with SPD instinctively adopt a wider stance or waddling gait to reduce pelvic joint loading, a sign the nervous system is already compensating to protect the joint.
Pain That Worsens with Stress and Fatigue
When stress is higher, muscle guarding around the pelvis can increase too, and SPD or round ligament pain may feel worse on harder days.
"Pain can prompt the muscles to guard, and that guarding may add tension around the pelvis. As nervous-system stress eases, that guarding may ease as well, and some moms notice their comfort feels different day to day. Everyone is different, so it is worth discussing your symptoms with your OB or midwife."
Round ligament pain is different but related. As your uterus grows, those supporting ligaments stretch, and you feel it. Usually as a sharp, stabbing sensation on one or both sides when you move suddenly. Both are structural realities of pregnancy. There's a neurological layer underneath all of it that most people never hear about.
Fill in your info below and we'll send the guide straight to your inbox. Takes about 20 seconds.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
About Us
Dr. Saylor, Dr. Zach, and Dr. John provide gentle, nervous system-focused chiropractic care for the whole family. They work with people navigating stress, tension, sleep challenges, developmental concerns, pregnancy, pain, and the daily demands that can keep the nervous system stuck in overdrive.
Their approach uses low-force techniques that communicate directly with the nervous system. No cracking, twisting, or popping. Just gentle, specific input that helps the body's own regulatory systems come back online.