Pregnancy-Related Pain
Gentle, evidence-based care for pelvic girdle pain, low back pain in pregnancy, round ligament pain, and postpartum recovery. Treatment that's safe at every trimester.
Read the guidePerinatal & Women's Health
Women's health and pregnancy chiropractic care in Toronto.
BACK IN BALANCE Clinic's women's health care in downtown Toronto is led by chiropractor Dr. Lisa Clarke. She treats pregnancy-related back and pelvic girdle pain, SI joint pain, postpartum recovery and the everyday spine and joint problems that arrive at any stage. Care combines gentle chiropractic, medical acupuncture and pregnancy-adapted massage therapy on one plan, with direct billing to most major insurers.
Since 2009Advanced Spine CareConcussion RehabilitationWomen's HealthRunning & SportsWSIB & MVA ClaimsLGBTQ+ Friendly 🏳️🌈Direct Billing to Insurance
Medically reviewed by Dr. Lisa Clarke, BA, DC, Contemporary Medical AcupunctureLast updated September 2026
At a glance.
Women's health at BACK IN BALANCE is led by Dr. Lisa Clarke, BA, DC, a chiropractor certified in Contemporary Medical Acupuncture through McMaster University.
Chiropractic care in pregnancy uses gentle, adapted technique and positioning, and is appropriate at every trimester for the right presentations.
Both Registered Massage Therapists at BACK IN BALANCE are trained in pregnancy massage, using side-lying positioning and pregnancy pillows.
A chiropractic initial visit at BACK IN BALANCE is $150 and takes 45–60 minutes: history, assessment, a plain-language plan and treatment when appropriate.
Chiropractic, massage therapy and medical acupuncture are covered by most extended health plans in Ontario, and BACK IN BALANCE direct-bills most major insurers.
BACK IN BALANCE does not provide internal pelvic floor assessment or treatment, and refers to a pelvic floor physiotherapist when that is what you need.
Keep exploring
What we treat in perinatal & women's health.
Every one of these has its own guide — start with whichever sounds like you.
SI Joint Dysfunction
Stabbing, one-sided low back or buttock pain that flares with twisting, asymmetric loading, or rolling over in bed. Often missed for months because it doesn't behave like 'regular' back pain.
Read the guide
Lower Back Pain
Lower back pain is the most common reason patients book at BACK IN BALANCE, from acute flare-ups and sciatica to chronic pain that limits daily life. Same-day chiropractic assessments for lower back pain at our downtown Toronto clinic.
Read the guide
Neck Pain
Tech neck, postural neck pain, cervicogenic headaches, post-whiplash recovery, and pinched-nerve symptoms, assessed and treated with the same expert rigour we bring to low back pain.
Read the guideWhich one sounds like you?
| What you feel | What it often points to | Start here |
|---|---|---|
| Aching low back that builds through the day in the second or third trimester | Pregnancy-related low back pain | Pregnancy-Related Pain |
| Pain at the front of the pelvis or in the buttocks when walking, climbing stairs or turning in bed | Pelvic girdle pain | Pregnancy-Related Pain |
| Sharp, one-sided pain at the base of the spine | SI joint dysfunction | SI Joint Dysfunction |
| Sharp pulling low in the belly or groin when you move quickly | Round ligament pain | Pregnancy-Related Pain |
| Neck and upper-back pain from feeding and carrying a baby | Postural strain | Neck Pain |
| A gap or doming along the middle of your belly after birth | Possible abdominal separation — core rebuilding here, pelvic floor care by referral | Pre / Postnatal Care |
Keep exploring
How we treat it.
What we'll typically pull from when we build your plan.
Pre / Postnatal Care
Gentle, pregnancy-safe chiropractic and soft-tissue care across every trimester, plus a structured postpartum recovery plan when you're ready.
Learn more
Chiropractic Care
Hands-on chiropractic care for back, neck, and joint pain, adjustments, mobilizations, soft tissue work, and rehab exercises tailored to your assessment.
Learn more
Acupuncture
Contemporary medical acupuncture for musculoskeletal pain, headaches, and trigger-point dysfunction. Performed by a chiropractor with formal acupuncture training.
Learn more
Massage Therapy
Registered massage therapy with two RMTs on the team. Therapeutic, deep tissue, pre/postnatal, sports recovery, and relaxation, fully insurance-eligible.
Learn more
Manual Osteopathy
Whole-body osteopathic manual therapy: craniosacral, visceral, joint mobilization, and structural techniques. Two practitioners on the team with formal osteopathic training.
Learn moreStages
What care looks like at each stage.
Pregnancy changes how your spine and pelvis carry load, and so does the year after it. The plan has to change with you: the technique that suits a second-trimester pelvis is rarely the one that suits week six postpartum, and neither is what you need two years later with a back that has simply had enough.
Some things in pregnancy are not ours to treat. Vaginal bleeding, fluid leakage, severe abdominal pain, a severe headache or vision changes, or reduced movement from your baby need your midwife, your obstetrician or urgent medical care — not an appointment here. We treat the musculoskeletal side of pregnancy; we do not manage the pregnancy itself.
During pregnancy
Relief for low back, pelvic girdle and rib pain using pregnancy-safe side-lying positioning and pregnancy pillows, SI belt fitting where it helps, and movement strategies for sleep, work, and getting in and out of the car.
Birth recovery
A structured return to strength once you feel ready: screening for abdominal separation, progressive core and hip rebuilding, feeding and carrying posture, and hands-on work for the neck and upper back that take most of the load early on.
Beyond
The everyday back, neck and joint problems that do not care what stage you are in — treated with a women's health lens, with medical acupuncture and registered massage therapy available on the same plan.
Who you'll see.
Dr. Lisa Clarke
BA, DC, Contemporary Medical Acupuncture
Leads women's health and pregnancy care: gentle chiropractic, contemporary medical acupuncture and postpartum strength work. BA, DC, certified through McMaster University.
Michael O'Brien
RMT (since 2006)
Pre- and postnatal massage with side-lying positioning, plus deep-tissue and myofascial work for the hips, low back and shoulders. RMT since 2006.
Yulexi Sebasco Ferrera
RMT/OMT, BA English Literature
Pregnancy-adapted massage and gentle osteopathic technique for pain that spans several areas. He treats in Spanish, English and Italian.
What to expect
Your first visit.
- 01
Book with Dr. Clarke
Book online or call, and say what stage you're at — pregnant, newly postpartum, or none of the above. No referral is needed. If you're not sure whether to start with chiropractic or massage, the front desk will point you at the right first appointment.
- 02
Assessment before anything hands-on
Your visit starts with a full history and a movement, spine and pelvic assessment, so treatment is aimed at something specific. Dr. Clarke screens for anything that belongs with your midwife or obstetrician first, and explains what she is finding in plain language.
- 03
Gentle treatment and a plan you can keep
Where it is appropriate, you are treated the same visit, with pregnancy-safe positioning and pregnancy pillows. You leave with a short home program built around your stage and your energy, a written plan, and direct billing handled at the front desk.
What it costs.
We direct-bill most major insurers in Ontario. Fees effective September 2026.
Initial Visit60 min · $150
Re-evaluation / New Complaint45 min · $100
Subsequent Visit30 min · $85
Subsequent Visit with Acupuncture30 min · $95
Subsequent Visit with Laser Therapy30 min · $95
Frequently asked questions
For most people, yes. Chiropractic care in pregnancy uses gentle, adapted technique and side-lying positioning, with no pressure on the abdomen. Dr. Lisa Clarke takes a full history first and screens for anything that needs your midwife or obstetrician, and she adapts technique as your pregnancy progresses rather than repeating the same visit each time.
Guides from our Perinatal & Women's Health team.
Sep 30, 2026·Pregnancy-Related Pain
Pelvic Girdle Pain During Pregnancy: How Chiropractic Care Can Help
Learn about pelvic girdle pain during pregnancy, common symptoms, and how individualized chiropractic care can help.
Read the article
Aug 13, 2026·Pregnancy-Related Pain
Is Chiropractic Care Safe During Pregnancy?
Chiropractic care during pregnancy can be a safe option, but it isn’t one-size-fits-all. Your care should be tailored to your symptoms, health history, stage of pregnancy, comfort, and goals.
Read the article
Oct 13, 2023·Lower Back Pain
Low-back Pain in Pregnant Women
Reports show that more than two-thirds of pregnant women experience low-back pain and almost one-fifth experience pelvic pain. Back pain may be experienced
Read the article
May 6, 2018·Pregnancy-Related Pain
Chiropractic Care for Expectant Mothers
Ask any mother and she will tell you - pregnancy can really put a major strain on a woman's body. An average-weight female will gain anywhere from 25 to 35
Read the articleReviews
What patients say
A few words from people we've helped get back to what they love.
“Steps from College station and they direct-bill my insurance, so it's an easy visit. Real assessment, no pressure, and a plan I could actually follow at home.”
“I saw Dr. Clarke through my pregnancy for pelvic pain. Gentle, knowledgeable, and reassuring the whole way. It made a real difference to how I felt day to day.”
“Booked for a running gait analysis before a half marathon. The video breakdown of my stride was eye-opening and the exercises sorted out the knee pain that kept derailing my training.”
Book your first visit
Tell us what's going on and the front desk will match you with the right perinatal & women's health practitioner.
- Same-day appointments usually available
- Direct billing to most major insurers
- Prefer to call? (416) 660-9932