Clearly a pregnant woman’s body undergoes enormous and dramatic physical, hormonal
and emotional changes over a relatively short period of time. Physically the body has
to adapt to carry extra weight, which in turn often causes stresses and strains on many
parts of the body. For some compensating for these changes causes few problems, but
others may suffer a variety of symptoms such as:
- backache and sciatica
- pubic pain (symphysis pubis dysfunction or pelvic instability)
- carpal tunnel syndrome (compression of the median nerve in the wrist)
- heartburn and indigestion
- difficulty in breathing and/or rib pain
- sacro-iliac joint problems (such as inflammation or loosening of ligaments)
Osteopaths undergo detailed training in obstetrics and study the specific changes
and adaptations that occur in the body during pregnancy. This enables them to learn
treatment techniques that are safe yet effective to help the body adjust and compensate
as efficiently as possible. The results can be a significant reduction in the amount
of pain and discomfort experienced by the individual during the course of the
pregnancy and birthing process.
Osteopathy can help both ante- and post-natally:
- ease physical discomforts of pregnancy – especially if there are any underlying pre-existing strains
such as from an injury or a history of back pain
- prepare the mother’s body for labour and ensure the pelvis is in an optimum state for delivery
- help the recovery from pregnancy and labour – why put up with aches and pains unnecessarily, after all,
if you are feeling healthy looking after your baby, and perhaps other little ones, is (slightly!) easier
- ease symptoms associated with new activities such as holding and breastfeeding your baby and lifting car seats
CASE HISTORY
Patient: 32-year-old female
Condition: 6 months pregnant with second child (first baby delivered by caesarean section)
Previous History: low back pain and received osteopathic treatment intermittently over the years
Presenting symptoms: pain in the left low back radiating into the left lower extremity and into the upper back
Treatment: 7 treatments over a three-month period to help patient’s body adjust to the increasing weight and postural changes.
Treatment included soft tissue (massage), manipulation and cranial-sacral osteopathy. Patient reported that delivery was much easier
than the first child and she did not require a caesarean section.
Please feel free to contact us if you wish to discuss further whether we can help you