When Dr. Brandie Keates cut the ribbon on Bloom Sanctuary this week, surrounded by friends, patients, and community supporters at her new Paoli location, it marked both an ending and a beginning. After building Experience Chiropractic into one of the largest practices in Pennsylvania—complete with multiple locations, 22 team members, and a Small Business Administration award —she has chosen to create something more focused, more intimate, and rooted in the work she feels most called to do.

Bloom Sanctuary serves pregnant women, new mothers in the postpartum period (often called the “fourth trimester”), and their infants. Just the very specialized care that Dr. Brandie has refined over two decades, now offered in an intimate setting where every patient receives her full attention.

“My true joy is in a treatment room, one-on-one with a patient,” Dr. Brandie explains. “I built something very successful with Experience Chiropractic, and I’m proud of that work. But over time, I realized I wanted to return to the kind of care that first called me into this profession—being present with patients, one at a time. Since my recovery in 2022, I never take that for granted. Being able to practice again feeds my soul. That perspective is what led me to create a small, intentional space built around meaningful moments with patients.”

Why Pregnancy Chiropractic Specialization Matters

For women scrolling through local Facebook groups desperately searching for “pregnancy chiropractor Main Line” or “chiropractor who does Webster technique near me,” the distinction between a general chiropractor and a pregnancy specialist can feel confusing. Dr. Brandie is unequivocal about why it matters.

“Pregnancy chiropractic care should be done right,” she says. “It should be done by someone who has advanced training and is an expert in treating pregnant women—because you’re dealing with people at their most vulnerable times and it demands a different type of care.”

That specialization started for Dr. Brandie in 2006, during her own challenging second pregnancy. At 17 weeks, while treating patients at her practice, she began hemorrhaging and was told she could no longer work. After exploring every option to stay solvent (she was the primary breadwinner), she made a deal with her doctors: she would only see pregnancy patients, since the adjustments could be gentler.

“When I really started to see them and to open up about my experience of struggling and the guilt —’I’m actually not supposed to be practicing’—I realized they would open up to me about how hard it was to work or how awful they felt or sometimes they regretted being pregnant,” Dr. Brandie recalls. “I realized the impact I could make is far greater with a pregnant patient than with the professional athletes I helped at the start of my career. To change a woman’s perspective of how she feels about herself carrying a baby is forever.”

From Paramedic to Pregnancy Expert: A Unique Background

Dr. Brandie’s path to chiropractic wasn’t typical. She started as a paramedic in 1996, working in emergency rooms, helping deliver babies in the field, and running calls for five years. She even served as President of the Board of Directors of Lafayette Ambulance & Rescue Squad in King of Prussia, where she reinstated her paramedic license 20 years later in 2016 so she could run calls alongside her squad—showing them she truly understood their work in this day and age.

“I’ve seen things that I didn’t study in a textbook,” she says. “I’ve delivered babies. I’ve seen patients crashing. I’ve seen how precious life is—I’ve seen people lose their babies. I deeply respect the trust and safety I need to operate to keep my patients very safe. But I’m also extremely proactive with people’s care. If they aren’t getting better, I’ll change the approach, try something different, or get them to the right specialist for testing. My ER and paramedic experience gave me a strong instinct for recognizing when something is outside my scope—and when to act quickly.” 

That medical background shapes everything about how she practices. Unlike some pregnancy chiropractors who may discourage vaccines, medical interventions or override OB recommendations, Dr. Brandie works collaboratively with the full care team.

Dr. Radha Kakarla, an OB-GYN with Axia who has referred patients to Dr. Brandie for almost 2 decades, emphasizes this collaborative approach. “I have never had a patient who has not gotten some relief after working with Dr. Brandie,” Dr. Kakarla says. “She nourishes the body and spirit. She addresses our patients in a holistic, effective and efficient way—from a perspective that obstetricians don’t always have time to incorporate into their practice.”

“I don’t intercede ever in OB’s recommendations. I work with them to get the result the patient wants,” she explains. “Being on the same page is critically important to advocate, collaborate and support that patient and be on the same team.  

What Makes Bloom Sanctuary Different

The name itself tells the story. “Bloom” carries over from the award-winning pregnancy program she created in 2006, honoring the profound transformation she witnesses in every expecting mother. “Sanctuary” reflects something deeper: a commitment to safety, trust, and creating space for people to be honest about their struggles.

“After some major life changes, I learned how important it is to surround yourself with people who are safe and supportive,” Dr. Brandie says. “That’s what Bloom Sanctuary is—a place where you’re safe to be exactly who you are, and where you’re met with patience, respect, and genuine care.”

That philosophy translates into how every appointment is structured. There’s no rushing. No factory-like “crack and go” adjustments. Every treatment includes muscle work first to loosen tight areas, then gentle adjustments tailored to the changing pregnant body, followed by stretching and home exercises.

“Muscles move bones,” Dr. Brandie explains. “If you don’t loosen up the muscles first, you’re adjusting against tight rubber bands. I do muscle work, adjust, then stretch every time. It gets quicker results without months of three-times-weekly visits.”

For women who have never seen a chiropractor before—or who feel nervous about treatment during pregnancy—consent and communication come first. “Every time someone is in my office, I’m asking for feedback,” she says. “I give them permission to stop me at any point. I often tell them, ‘I’m like a water ride. You can get off whenever you want.'” She explains what she’s doing and why, never pressures patients into any adjustment, and runs on schedule so no one is left waiting.

That same care extends to infants and their families. Dr. Brandie makes sure everyone in the room—including the baby—is comfortable. If a baby needs to be fed or soothed first, she waits. Her goal is always a calm, gentle, unhurried experience centered on the family.

While her practice is centered on pregnancy, postpartum, and infant care, Dr. Brandie also treats patients who are curious about chiropractic but deeply apprehensive. Many arrive by referral for her calm, consent-based approach. Once they experience that real care looks nothing like dramatic online videos—that it actually feels gentle and delivers results—their fear begins to dissolve.

Dr. Brandie understands that fear personally. She was once terrified to take her own daughter as a baby to a chiropractor, and that experience led her into the profession. For those who have worked with her before, she remains available to continue their care—always by choice.

The Webster Technique and Breech Positioning

One of the most common reasons women seek out pregnancy-specialized chiropractors is breech positioning, often discovered around 36 weeks when time is running short. The Webster Technique—a specific chiropractic approach developed in the 1960s—focuses on balancing the pelvis and relaxing the round ligaments to give babies more room to move into optimal position.

Dr. Brandie earned her FICPA (Fellow of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association) designation in 2002 through the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association, completing over 120 hours of postgraduate training in pregnancy and pediatric chiropractic care, including certification in the Webster Technique.

The Webster Technique carries a reported success rate of roughly 82–84 percent, based on data collected by the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association. Dr. Brandie emphasizes that results are strongest when women establish pregnancy care earlier rather than waiting until the final weeks.

That said, she is intentional about when Webster-specific work begins. “I don’t take on a patient exclusively for the Webster Technique prior to 34 weeks,” she explains. “Earlier in pregnancy, the baby is still moving around a lot, so there’s usually no reason to focus on positioning yet. By 36 weeks, things are more settled, and that’s when the technique becomes most relevant.”

She adds, “The thing I wish people understood is that we’re not practicing obstetrics. We’re not guessing where the baby is, and we’re not adjusting the baby. We’re simply creating more space in the mother’s body. That’s what makes it both effective and extremely safe.”

“When Dr. Larry Webster developed the technique in the 1980s, women’s fitness culture looked very different,” says Dr. Brandie. “Now we have CrossFit and Peloton athletes who are incredibly strong—which is amazing—but they often carry a lot of tone through their lower abdominal wall and psoas. That can change how the pelvis adapts during pregnancy, and those women often benefit significantly from Webster Technique.”

Beyond Pain Relief: The “Villains of Pregnancy”

While breech positioning brings many women through the door, Dr. Brandie treats what she calls the “Villains of Pregnancy”—the six most common pregnancy-related pain conditions including low back pain, sciatica, pubic pain, headaches, rib pain, and wrist pain.

“Pubic pain is like my jam,” she says. “It’s one of the most common issues, especially in second pregnancies. But it’s not something women feel comfortable discussing with friends. It’s embarrassing, but it’s also extremely debilitating and predictable.”

Her advice for when to seek treatment is straightforward: “About two weeks after something strikes, when you’re waiting for it to go away. If your OB or midwife suggests going to a chiropractor, establish that relationship at that point. Don’t wait months and suffer.”

For sciatica specifically—where women report they literally can’t walk, can’t work, and can’t function—she can often help within a week. The key is stopping one common mistake: putting heat on the inflamed area.

“I always say it’s like bringing up your mother-in-law during a disagreement,” she laughs. “It might feel satisfying in the moment, but you usually regret it later. Heat can feel soothing temporarily, but it increases swelling in an already inflamed nerve, which often makes the pain worse.”

Infant Care: A Gentle, Conservative Approach

Bloom Sanctuary also treats infants, though Dr. Brandie is quick to clarify her conservative, safety-first approach. “I don’t use my hands to adjust an infant’s neck. That’s a rule in my practice,” she says. “Even though I teach pediatric techniques at accredited chiropractic colleges across the country, I know how scary that can feel for parents. I would never want to take a risk that doesn’t feel absolutely necessary.”

Instead, she uses gentle muscle work and low-force instruments to address torticollis, reflux, colic, and gassiness. She works closely with pediatric dentists and receives many referrals from lactation consultants for bodywork related to tongue and lip ties. She teaches parents what’s happening and how they can help at home. “When parents understand what’s going on, they get their confidence back,” she says. “We become a team.”

“For families who are just looking for routine wellness visits, there are wonderful chiropractors who focus on that,” she adds. “That’s not really my lane. I’m a fixer. If a baby has torticollis, or parents are struggling with reflux or gas, I’m willing to try a few visits. But I’m very honest. If we’re not seeing meaningful improvement quickly, I don’t keep them coming. When it works, it can be incredibly effective. And when it’s not the right solution, I won’t waste anyone’s time or money.”

A Cash-Based Practice Built on Value

Unlike many chiropractic offices, Bloom Sanctuary operates as a cash-based concierge practice. “So much of what I do—especially muscle work and infant care—isn’t covered by insurance anyway,” Dr. Brandie explains. “And even when something is covered, it comes with paperwork, visit limits, and extraneous re-exams that don’t really help anyone.”

Her philosophy was shaped by her own recovery from a serious disc injury. The physical therapist who helped her most worked in a cash-based model. “I felt seen and heard. Every visit was different, based on what my body needed—not just the same thing over and over.”

That became the blueprint for Bloom Sanctuary. Her model allows for both quick visits and longer sessions depending on what the body needs. Patients can use HSA/FSA accounts, and she provides superbills for insurance submission. But the focus is delivering value—getting people better quickly, not stretching treatment over months.

“My job isn’t to keep people coming back,” she says. “My job is to help them get better. I teach them how to maintain progress at home so they only come when they truly need me.”

Education as Empowerment

Beyond individual patient care, Dr. Brandie has created an extensive library of resources on her website, drbrandie.com designed to empower women with information. Her website offers free downloadable guides including “When to Call Your Pregnancy Chiropractor” and a pubic pain relief guide. She’s written three books specifically for pregnant patients and created multiple online courses.

“If there’s something you can try first before incurring the cost of a visit, I’m going to give it to you,” she explains. “That’s the way I’ve done business for 24 years.”

She also lectures at colleges and state association conventions across the country and in Canada, teaching other chiropractors and birth professionals about safe, evidence-based pregnancy care. Her courses have been reviewed by obstetricians to ensure they align with current medical standards.

“I want to give people safe, evidence-based, researched tools that are taught in accredited colleges,” she says. “Not influencer content, but the best practices that are backed by research.”

Building Community, Not Just a Practice

Ask Dr. Brandie why community involvement matters to her – and her answer is immediate: “I hate fake anything. I’ve developed relationships over the years not only to build resources for my patients so when they need someone I know a great person to connect them to, but also for myself. The secret to life is community and building relationships where you help each other and genuinely care.”

That philosophy extends to how she connects patients with other local resources, from acupuncturists like Dr. Meredith Murphy to meal prep services and kids cooking camps like Claire Guarino’s HomeCooked. “They’re genuinely amazing at what they do,” she says.

For a woman reading this who is struggling, Dr. Brandie offers this perspective: “When a flower blooms, it changes slowly and beautifully. That’s what pregnancy and motherhood do to a woman. You are becoming something new, one day at a time. At Bloom Sanctuary, my hope is that every woman feels supported through that transformation and reminded that she is strong, capable, and not alone.”

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Bloom Sanctuary is located at 136 W. Lancaster Ave., Suite 2, Paoli, PA 19301. Dr. Brandie welcomes first-time chiropractic patients, along with patients who appreciate her gentle, patient-centered approach. Learn more about her approach, download free pregnancy guides, or book an appointment at bloomsanctuary.com. Follow Bloom Sanctuary on Instagram @bloomsanctuary_pllc, Facebook and Google for pregnancy pain relief tips and educational content.

To find chiropractors certified in Webster Technique and advanced pediatric chiropractic, visit icpa4kids.org.

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Photos by AMC Photography, as seen in the Main Line Baby Guide and the Main Line Parent Health and Wellness Guide. Bloom Sanctuary’s story supports the Main Line Parent Community. Collaborate with us.