Pregnancy and Osteopathy
Is Osteopathy Safe During Pregnancy?
At Motion Osteopathy our Osteopaths have been trained to help mothers adapt to the postural changes of pregnancy. Osteopaths are highly skilled, having undergone a minimum of 5 years of University to practice.
How Can Osteopathy Help During Pregnancy?
Osteopaths assess your body for any restrictions, particularly through the spine and sacrum which change normal pelvic mechanics, treatment to these areas can help reduce strain through the pelvic area.
One study found 76% of women reported low back pain during their pregnancy, some women will experience heartburn, headaches, neck and shoulder pain or difficulty with sleeping and lying.
Seeing an Osteopath throughout pregnancy can help with these symptoms, assisting your body adapt to the natural changes which occur.
Osteopaths can help manage the following conditions:
Lower back pain and sciatica
Hip and pelvic pain
Pubic pain
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Neck and shoulder
Rib pain and breathing difficulties
Incontinence
Heartburn
Discomfort with sleeping and lying.
Stress
Our team use gentle techniques such as massage, kinesio-taping, stretching, cranial or fascial release. Studies have shown that Osteopathic treatment is safe and effective way to help manage low back pain, pelvic pain, sciatic pain and improve labour outcomes.
Can Osteopathic Treatment Help with Delivery?
Osteopathy can help prepare your body for labour by ensuring your pelvis is moving well, this is particularly important for women who have had previous falls through their coccyx or who experience sacroiliac or pubic pain.
Postpartum, Care for your body after birth.
At Motion Osteopathy we can help mothers recover from the physical demands of birth, including the treatment of upper shoulder and neck issues from nursing, muscular issues resulting in mastitis, assisting the restoration of pelvic mechanics and releasing tight muscles following labour.
Our wonderful Pilates studio is also a safe and effective way to help mothers re-establish pelvic and abdominal control.
What Can I Do At Home?
Stay active - gentle walks daily will help keep your pelvis mobile and can help manage stress.
Stay strong - try and incorporate squats, pelvic floor exercises and light weights into your daily routine
Stretch regularly- this includes getting on all fours, psoas and calf stretches and hip openers.
If you would like to discuss any aspect of your health with one of our other practitioners, feel free to call us on (07) 4051 4909 or email reception@motionosteopathy.com.au.
Author: Dr Deanne Mitchell [Osteopath]
Other Resources
Prior to birth some parents can experience some unhelpful thoughts and fears, if you are experiencing this please let us know or talk to your midwife, GP or health care professional.
https://healthyfamilies.beyondblue.org.au/pregnancy-and-new-parents
The Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne provides up-to-date medical factsheets on safety, health and disease.
http://www.rch.org.au/kidsinfo/
The Raising Children website offers up-to-date, research-based material to parents on a range of general topics.
For information on pregnancy exercises and foetal positioning.
http://spinningbabies.com/start/
1.Kristiansson P, Svärdsudd K, von Schoultz B. Back pain during pregnancy: a prospective study. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 1996;21(6):702-709.
2.Licciardone JC, Buchanan S, Hensel KL, King HH, Fuld KG, Stoll ST. Osteopathic manipulative treatment of back pain and related symptoms during pregnancy: a randomized controlled trial. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2010;202(1):43.