Pregnancy is a time when women are more aware of the workings of their body. It is associated with major postural changes. For many years, Osteopaths have used their skills to relieve the aches and pains caused by weight and posture changes during and after pregnancy.
For many women pregnancy means having to cope with a whole range of symptoms from back pain to morning sickness. As the baby grows in the womb, its extra weight results in a changed center of gravity and posture changes from week to week. This can lead to a variety of aches and pains. As breast weight increases, this also causes changes and pain may occur in the upper back and neck.
Osteopathic treatment throughout pregnancy is a wonderfully gentle way of helping the body adapt to the changes which are taking place.
The safety of the mother and baby is the osteopath's first concern. After a thorough assessment, osteopathic treatment may help to relieve the aches and pains caused by growth in size of the baby and the accomodation of the mother to this.
Advice from your Osteopath can help you to change your posture and use your body correctly through pregnancy.
Osteopaths can also help to ease other side effects of pregnancy such as heart burn, indigestion, constipation and pain in the buttock, groin or leg (commonly called sciatica). Some patients too, report reduced morning sickness after osteopathic treatment.
- Low back and leg pain
- Neck and shoulder pain
- Discomfort around the thorax and indigestion
- Carpal tunnel symptoms
- Post natal problems of the pelvis
Osteopathic treatment during pregnancy is not new. For many years Osteopaths have used their skills to help, employing a variety of gentle techniques to ease supporting muscles and ligaments.
Every pregnancy is 'special'. Osteopaths focus on the mother as a person and take account of her emotional state and other factors of as well as her physical condition.
Treatment may be supplemented by exercises and other forms of self help which the Osteopath may prescribe for the mother to do at home.
An Osteopath can advise on positions in labour to help prevent back problems later. Pain relief techniques can also be shown to the mother and her partner or friend so that they can help during labour.
After delivery it is advised that mother and child return for structural examination, advice and check ups and, if necessary, for treatment.
