ROUND LIGAMENT PAIN
What Is Round Ligament Pain?
The round ligaments are two cord-like structures that run from the front of your uterus down to your groin. During pregnancy, they stretch significantly to accommodate your growing baby — and that stretching can cause sharp, stabbing, or pulling pain, most commonly on the right side of the lower abdomen or pelvis.
Round ligament pain is one of the most common pregnancy complaints, typically appearing in the second trimester and often intensifying as pregnancy progresses.
Common Symptoms and Triggers
Round ligament pain usually shows up as a sharp, sudden pain in the lower abdomen or groin, a pulling sensation that radiates from the belly to the hip, and a deep ache on one or both sides of the pelvis.
Common triggers include sudden position changes (rolling over in bed, standing up quickly), sneezing, coughing, or laughing, prolonged standing or walking, and physical activity or exercise.
The pain is usually brief but can be intense enough to stop you in your tracks. For some moms, it becomes a constant low-grade discomfort that affects daily life.
How Chiropractic Helps
Round ligament pain isn't just about the ligaments themselves — it's about the structural environment they're operating in. When the pelvis is misaligned or the sacrum is rotated, it creates uneven tension on the ligaments, pulling them in ways they're not designed to handle.
Chiropractic care addresses this at the source. Through pelvic alignment and sacral adjustment, we restore symmetry so the round ligaments can stretch evenly without excessive tension. The Webster Technique includes specific round ligament release work that directly addresses the soft tissue component.
What Relief Looks Like at Taproot
Dr. Jennifer uses a combination of gentle pelvic adjustments and targeted round ligament release to reduce tension and restore comfort. Most moms notice improvement within the first few visits — less sharp pain, fewer triggers, and more ease in daily movement.
Between visits, Dr. Jennifer may recommend specific stretches, position modifications, and movement strategies to manage symptoms and support the work done during adjustments.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Sharp, sudden pain in the lower abdomen, groin, or hip — often triggered by quick movements, sneezing, or position changes. It can also present as a persistent pulling or aching sensation on one or both sides.
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Yes. By restoring pelvic alignment and releasing tension on the round ligaments directly, chiropractic care addresses the structural cause of the pain rather than just masking symptoms.
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Most commonly in the second trimester as the uterus grows and the ligaments stretch. It can continue and intensify through the third trimester.
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Round ligament pain itself is not dangerous — it's a normal response to the stretching that occurs during pregnancy. However, if you experience severe or persistent abdominal pain, contact your OB or midwife to rule out other causes.