osteopathy during pregnancy and the post-partum period
Pregnancy is a time when many physical and hormonal changes take place. These include changes to the position of the pelvis as the uterus expands, which start early on in pregnancy. If the mother’s muscles that support the pelvis and lower back are already tense or unbalanced when pregnancy is established, these changes can cause areas of discomfort and lead to back, neck, hip and pelvic pain. Osteopathic treatment is rooted in osteopathic philosophy, which is to treat the body as a whole and to re-establish freedom of movement to joints, ligaments and muscles allowing for good arterial supply to and efficient venous and lymphatic drainage from these areas. Gentle osteopathic techniques, based on these principles, can help to restore equilibrium between muscles, ligaments and connective tissue so that pregnancy can progress more comfortably for the mother.
Essentially, the aim of osteopathy during pregnancy is to create space for the uterus to expand and for the baby to grow freely within this space, and in doing so, to allow the mother to experience a comfortable pregnancy. Osteopaths treat women from the early stages of pregnancy right up to birth and into the post-partum period. If a patient has been coming for treatment before pregnancy, then her body will be even better prepared for the changes that will take place! Towards the end of pregnancy, an osteopath focuses treatment on making sure that the mother’s pelvic floor is balanced; that her sacrum and its ligaments are moving freely and that her hips and pelvis are nicely aligned: elements that will help provide a smooth passage for baby during birth.
After birth, the mother often brings baby for treatment, but not herself! Discomfort and tension in the mother's back, neck, hips and pelvis in the weeks and months after birth can be addressed through gentle osteopathic techniques.
We offer home visits in East-Kent which may be more convenient for families who have just welcomed a new baby.
Essentially, the aim of osteopathy during pregnancy is to create space for the uterus to expand and for the baby to grow freely within this space, and in doing so, to allow the mother to experience a comfortable pregnancy. Osteopaths treat women from the early stages of pregnancy right up to birth and into the post-partum period. If a patient has been coming for treatment before pregnancy, then her body will be even better prepared for the changes that will take place! Towards the end of pregnancy, an osteopath focuses treatment on making sure that the mother’s pelvic floor is balanced; that her sacrum and its ligaments are moving freely and that her hips and pelvis are nicely aligned: elements that will help provide a smooth passage for baby during birth.
After birth, the mother often brings baby for treatment, but not herself! Discomfort and tension in the mother's back, neck, hips and pelvis in the weeks and months after birth can be addressed through gentle osteopathic techniques.
We offer home visits in East-Kent which may be more convenient for families who have just welcomed a new baby.
