Dr. Brandie

Dr. Brandie Sports medicine chiropractic for pregnancy and postpartum, 25 years. Helping patients out of pain and training providers to do the same. 💜

I remember the first time I woke up at 2am and couldn't roll over without wanting to cry.My husband asked if I needed he...
07/18/2026

I remember the first time I woke up at 2am and couldn't roll over without wanting to cry.

My husband asked if I needed help. I didn't even know what kind of help would make this better.

I'd mentioned it to my OB at my last appointment and she said 'it's normal, try a pillow between your knees.'

I already had three pillows. It wasn't helping.

What I didn't know then: pelvic girdle pain is common, but it's not normal. And there are specific, evidence-based techniques that can give you relief without waiting until delivery.

I wish someone had told me that pain this sharp wasn't something I just had to endure.

If you're in that 2am-can't-roll-over place right now, check out our Expecting Relief™ Conquering P***c Pain course. On sale now…link below.

For educational purposes only, always consult your provider before starting any new exercise, stretch, or treatment protocol.


07/15/2026

Nobody tells you pregnancy can make your pelvis feel like it's falling apart. It's not in your head, and it's not something you just have to live with for the next few months.

Relaxin and progesterone loosen everything up down there so your body can do its job. But that same shift can leave your joints unstable, inflamed, and painful every time you walk, roll over, or stand up.

You're not broken. You're not overreacting. And you don't have to just wait it out.

Inside Expecting Relief™ we show you the exact alignment work and movement that calms this down, fast.

Link in bio. Let's get you some relief.

For educational purposes only — always consult your provider before starting any new exercise, stretch, or treatment protocol.


07/10/2026

Most pregnant women are told to rest and wait it out. What you do in the first 60 seconds could prevent a 3/10 flare from becoming an 8/10 crisis that derails your week.

Here's your triage protocol:

First 60 seconds:
✔️ Freeze. Stop the movement that caused it. Sit down or lean against a wall before doing anything else.
✔️ Breathe. Slow belly breaths. Four counts in, six counts out. Repeat five times before you try to move.
✔️ Squeeze. Press two fists gently between your thighs. Hold 3 to 5 seconds, release, repeat twice. This resets the adductors and reduces p***c joint strain.

First 10 minutes:
✔️ Ice directly on the p***c bone. Wrapped popsicle, frozen peas, or a large ice cube in a washcloth. Hold for 3 to 5 minutes.
✔️ Compress with a belly band or wrap a scarf snugly around your hips as temporary support.
✔️ Pillow between your knees when sitting or lying on your side. Keep feet hip-width apart. No twisting, wide stances, or crossing your legs.

First hour:
✔️ Hydrate. Drink a full glass of water.
✔️ Move small. Gentle pelvic tilts, slow cat-cows, or wall slides. Move without strain. Do not stretch wide or push through pain.
✔️ Ice again. Five minutes on, 55 minutes off. Repeat hourly until pain drops below 3/10.
✔️ Take notes. Write down what triggered it, the time, the side, and pain level from 1 to 10. Bring this to your provider.

You are not overreacting. You are responding early and protecting your body.

Save this for the next flare. And if you're ready for freedom from the flares altogether, Conquering P***c Pain is half off for the Fourth of July, through July 31st. Link in bio.

This is educational, not medical advice. If symptoms persist or worsen, speak with your provider.

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07/09/2026

Common is not the same as normal.

Your OB isn't lying when they say rib pain happens in pregnancy. It does. To a lot of women. But that doesn't mean you're supposed to endure it until delivery.

Here's what I wish every provider would say:

❌ 'It's normal, it'll go away after birth' (dismissive, no solution)
✅ 'It's common because your ribcage is expanding and your diaphragm is compressed. Here's what you can do right now.' (validating, actionable)

❌ 'Try a heating pad' (inflammation doesn't respond to heat)
✅ 'Ice the tender ribs, do side-lying stretches, and avoid twisting when you lift your toddler.' (evidence-based relief)

❌ 'You'll have to wait it out' (resignation)
✅ 'This pain is telling us something about your mechanics. Let's address it.' (agency)

You're not making this up. You're not being dramatic. And you deserve better than a shrug.

This week, celebrate freedom from rib pain: our Expecting Relief™ Thriving Through Rib Pain course is half off for the Fourth of July, through July 31. Link in bio.

This is educational, not medical advice. If symptoms persist or worsen, speak with your provider.

07/04/2026

🇺🇸 Freedom from P***c Pain Starts Here.

Does it feel like someone kicked you between the legs during pregnancy?

Does rolling over in bed make you brace yourself?

Getting in and out of the car?

Putting on pants standing on one leg?

Walking through the grocery store?

You’re not alone. ❤️

Pregnancy p***c pain is one of the most common and misunderstood conditions I see.

It may be common, but that doesn’t mean you have to suffer through it.

I created Freedom from P***c Pain to help you understand why it hurts and give you practical, evidence-informed strategies to help you move with more comfort and confidence throughout your pregnancy.

🇺🇸 Independence Day Special
✨ 50% OFF through July 7

Enroll here:

https://bit.ly/4y63qpd
Pregnancy pain is common. Understanding it changes everything. 💛

***cPain

07/04/2026

Why do my ribs hurt so much during pregnancy?

If it feels like someone is stabbing you under your ribs...

If every deep breath hurts...

If rolling over in bed, reaching overhead, laughing, coughing, or even sitting on the couch makes you brace yourself...

You’re not alone.

This post has continued to reach pregnant women for over a year because so many people are searching for answers about this exact pain.
If your OB has ruled out anything dangerous, that’s exactly what we want. ❤️

But it doesn’t mean you have to keep living with the pain.

Pregnancy rib pain is one of the most misunderstood complaints I see. You deserve more than, “It’s just the baby.”
I created Thriving Through Rib Pain to help you understand why it hurts and give you practical, evidence-informed strategies to help you move, breathe, sleep, and function more comfortably.

🇺🇸 Independence Day Special: 50% OFF through July 7

✨ Enroll here: https://bit.ly/ribpainfreedom

Pregnancy pain is common. Understanding it changes everything. 💛

06/30/2026

That sharp, stabbing pain under your ribs during pregnancy? 🤰 It might not be your baby.

One of the biggest misconceptions I hear is that this pain is "just part of being pregnant." While every pregnancy is different, many women are surprised to learn that the pain is often coming from overworked, stretched abdominal muscles, not the baby itself.

Here's something that surprises even more moms:
🔥 Heat isn't always your friend. Because your ribs already have a rich blood supply, adding heat can actually increase inflammation and make the area feel even more irritated.

In this video, I explain:
✔️ Why this pain happens
✔️ How to tell if it's likely muscular
✔️ Why heat may be making it worse
✔️ What you can do to start feeling better

If you're pregnant and dealing with this type of pain, know that you're not alone, and there may be a simple explanation.

Find my recommended relief kit at the link in my bio.

💬 Did you experience rib pain during pregnancy? Let me know in the comments.

06/11/2026

If you're pregnant and nobody explained this to you — now you know.

Round ligament pain can start at 6 weeks, before you even have a bump. Your body releases relaxin almost immediately after conception, and it starts loosening the ligaments that support your uterus right away. Sharp, stabbing pain when you sneeze or move fast? That's what that is.

Common. Not normal. Not something you just have to survive.

Save this and send it to someone who needs it. Follow for more pregnancy pain answers every week. ⬇️


06/09/2026

We gave our interns a pregnancy fact or myth quiz 👀 Some of these will surprise you. Save this — and follow for more of what nobody told you. 🌸


06/03/2026

Second-time moms- your pelvic pain hitting earlier isn't weakness. Most providers won't tell you this. 👨⚕️

Your first pregnancy changed your pelvis permanently. It's less stable going into round two 🛎️ 🥊 — and a toddler you're still carrying makes it worse from week one. 📆

The good news: catching it early changes everything. Start with clamshells, glute bridges, and avoiding wide-leg positions. Stabilization — not stretching — is where it begins. 🐎

Follow for more on what actually works for pelvic pain in pregnancy. 🚡

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Philadelphia, PA
19116

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