Pregnancy Back Pain Relief

Laura Tilson Osteopathy

Pregnancy Back Pain Relief

Your Osteopath at Fresh Ground

How to relieve pregnancy back pain

Back pain during pregnancy is a real drag, but osteopath Dr Stephen Sandler knows how you can relieve it

Back pain

 

During pregnancy the body secretes a hormone called relaxin that softens the ligaments holding the pelvic bones together and allows room for the baby to descend into the pelvis on its way to the world.

Sometimes a joint gets stuck causing painful muscle spasms or even sciatica if the sciatic nerve is trapped. More than 80 per cent of pregnant women get back pain of some form or another during pregnancy, so you are not alone. Most back pain is caused by muscle spasms protecting overstrained spinal or pelvic joints.

Osteopathic treatment is safe. Every validated school of Osteopathy now has an Expectant Mothers Clinic. The only caveat is if you have a history of recurrent early trimester miscarriage. Then, any undue stress to the pelvis is probably best avoided, and so in these specific cases we advise against treatment. Normally osteopaths can treat right up to labour.

Work to the muscles using massage-like techniques and gentle stretches, as well as gentle manipulation and mobilisation techniques, should soon have you feeling easier. Partners are encouraged into the treatment room where we can teach them massage techniques that can be done at home to make the pregnancy and birth a shared experience.

However, it’s an uphill struggle. As you get more pregnant, you weigh more, yet the joints still get looser. This is why some women need osteopathic treatment throughout their pregnancy.

Pillows in bed to prevent you from rolling over can help, as can Sacro Iliac binders or belts. There are a lot of products out there sold for pregnancy back pain that are not very helpful but an osteopath should be able to guide you to the correct binder if that is what you need. We encourage swimming, yoga or pilates as ways of gently getting the muscles moving safely.

Post-natal you would usually be checked at six weeks. You may still need one or two treatments to get you back on track to a full recovery. The majority of women recover well with no back issues to bother them.

Some osteopaths, particularly if they are trained in paediatric or cranial osteopathic techniques, even offer a post-natal check for the new baby. It can be very effective after long or difficult labours when the baby may have issues settling into a sleep pattern or feeding pattern due to minor strains and moulding issues in the bones of the head and face. It is very gentle, often immediate and effective, and can be very reassuring for new mums.

Dr Stephen Sandler is consultant osteopath at The Portland Hospital in London.

 

Pregnancy Osteopath: Alexandra Freeman  M.Ost

Alexandra Freeman is an experienced Osteopath who uses structural, cranial and other osteopathy techniques to treat her patients. Alexandra has a passion for paediatric and is currently studying for her Diploma at The Osteopathic Centre for Children.

Alexandra is a Registered Osteopath with the General Osteopathic Council. She graduated from the London School of Osteopathy with a Masters degree in Osteopathy. She has completed courses in both dry needling and cranial techniques at the Sutherland Cranial College.

 

 

 

Appointment Times (Fresh Ground) : Monday evenings 4-8pm and Friday mornings 8am-12pm.

 

Testimonials:

Alexandra Freeman is an excellent osteopath, has relieved my back pain following my treatments with her. She takes time to find out the cause of the pain, alleviates the pain and is a pleasure to work with. I cannot recommend her enough.

– V. Harrison

I have been visiting Alexandra for some months now to address lower back pains.  Alexandra is incredibly warm, engaging and approachable yet very professional and thorough. She puts you at ease and is very good at explaining the reasons for the condition and the treatment she administers in ways that laypeople can understand. Alexandra also treated a relative of mine for neck and shoulder strains; who has been visiting other osteopaths for treatments.  They commented that Alexandra’s treatment was excellent and cured the problem, unlike other Osteopaths!  One of the best and most exceptional and effective osteopaths ever.  I would strongly recommend Alexandra.

– Ruth

Appointments:

For an appointment or further questions please call 020 7206 2625 or email info@ltosteo.co.uk

Please Note: This post was written on 14 Jan 2018 please contact us to make sure you have the most up to date advice.