Osteopathy is a safe, gentle and proven technique which assists in the many discomforts and complaints associated with all stages of pregnancy.
As the body undergoes changes during and after the pregnancy, osteopathy provides relief to areas under strain and changes in load and weight on the body.
The goal of osteopathic treatment is to assist the natural process of pregnancy, maximising the body’s ability to adjust and to compensate for the changes as efficiently as possible in support of mother and baby with a minimum of pain and discomfort.
Osteopathy can treat:
Low back pain – a stiff back can inhibit the adaptations needed to accommodate a growing baby
Sciatica (leg pain) – due to pressure on nerves
Pelvic discomfort and instability – due to increasing size of the baby and stretched ligaments
Morning sickness – nausea, loss of appetite, lethargy
Headaches – as caused by tension in muscles to due baby weight, changes in posture and hormonal fluctuations
Mid and upper back pain – as caused by changes in spinal curves from the growing baby, breast size and pressure on ribs and abdomen
Swelling and fluid retention – changes in blood circulation due to increased pressure
Heartburn – pressure on the abdomen
Osteopathy also treats post-partum (after pregnancy) women with:
Neck pain and headaches – due to looking down at the baby while feeding, and due to changes in posture causing muscle tension;
Upper back stiffness and discomfort – due to breastfeeding and carrying the baby; bending over the cot; lifting the baby;
Low back and pelvic pain – due to the effects of carrying the baby, and the increased pressures on the pelvis during pregnancy.
We can also recommend gentle stretches and strengthening exercises for new mothers to assist in working on the muscles and ligaments that were stretched during pregnancy.
Ask our experienced practitioners about pelvic floor exercises!