A WHOLE BODY APPROACH

Osteopaths understand the relationship between the body’s organs, joints and muscles. Given the unique stresses pregnancy puts upon the body, osteopaths are well suited to diagnosing and helping you with some of the problems you may experience when you’re expecting and after birth.

COMMON PREGNANCY COMPLAINTS

Many pregnant women experience back or pelvic pain. Common symptoms may include:

Generalised muscular back pain

SPD (Symphasis Pubis Dysfunction) – pain or discomfort in the joint at the front of the pelvis

Sacro Iliac Joint pain – occurring in the lower back

Sciatica and leg pain associated with back pain

Rib and thoracic spinal problems leading to breathlessness and difficulty in deep breathing

Neck aches and headaches

Many commonly used medications for these symptoms are often not recommended for a pregnant or breast feeding mother. Osteopathy offers an alternative approach to help you deal with these common conditions.

PERSONAL TREATMENT FOR A NATURAL PREGNANCY

Every patient’s problems are unique, and your treatment will be specific to your symptoms. Osteopaths use a wide range of hands-on techniques. These will vary depending on your age, fitness and diagnosis, but will focus on bodily tension, stretching muscles and mobilising your joints and providing postural and stretching advice. You may wish to discuss with your osteopath how many treatments are likely to be necessary, and how frequently you may feel you would benefit from osteopathic treatment. Some new mothers like to return for follow-up osteopathic treatment after being discharged by their obstetrician or midwife.

POST-NATAL TREATMENT

Osteopathy can be a helpful, supportive treatment as the body adjusts to the anatomical and physiological changes occurring after birth. Changes also in the way a new mother is using her body, due to feeding and carrying, can be better accommodated if the body is functioning optimally. Care is often focused on the baby over the mother at this time, when it is key for both to be healthy for the well being of the whole family.