Osteopathy and Pregnancy

Osteopathic treatment through pregnancy is a wonderfully gentle way of helping the body adapt to the changes which are taking place.

The safety of 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 accommodation of the mother to this.

Advice from your osteopath can help you to change your posture and learn to use your body correctly through pregnancy.

Osteopaths can also help to ease other side effects of pregnancy such as heartburn, indigestion, constipation and pain in the buttock, groin or leg (commonly called sciatica). Some patients, too, report reduced morning sickness after osteopathic treatment.

Osteopathy relieves:

• Low back and leg pain
  
• Neck and shoulder pain
  
• Discomfort around the thorax and indigestion
  
• Wrist pain
  
• 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 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 examinations, advice and check ups and, if necessary, for treatment.

Useful tips:

• Look after your back during pregnancy. Take particular care when lifting and carrying – especially lifting or carrying other children. Do not carry a small child on one hip for any length of time. Ask your osteopath for appropriate exercises.
  
  
• If you stand for any length of time, keep your bottom ‘tucked’ in to reduce strain on the lower part of your spine.
  
  
• When sitting, use a cushion for support and don’t sit with your legs crossed. Avoid twisting movements. These may cause torsional strain on the pelvis.
  
  
• Lying on your side, place a pillow under the ‘bump’ to provide support and also put a pillow between your knees to prevent back strain.
  
  
• If you prefer to lie on your back, place pillows beneath your knees to keep them bent.
  
  
• Make sure all equipment (changing table, pushchair, pram etc,) is at a comfortable height for you.

	more osteopathy... Osteopathy The Perrin Technique  Cranial Osteopathy Osteopathy and Pregnancy Osteopathy for Mothers & Babies Osteopathy and Driving Osteopathy and Work Strain Osteopathy and Arthritis How is Osteopathy organised and regulated? Dianne Parker's story Finlay Jones' story

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