Osteopathy for pregnancy

Pregnancy is a time of increased demands on a woman's body. We are individual in pregnancy -some of us manage to bloom throughout, some of us may struggle with the change in body shape, posture and physiology that the growing baby brings. For some women pregnancy creates significant challenges as bodies undergo the structural and hormonal changes required to support a growing baby, and as the body prepares for giving birth.

Fortunately, the hormonal changes of pregnancy mean that women's bodies are often particularly responsive to treatment at this time. And the dynamic physiology of pregnancy often helps women adapt quicky and well with the right support. May of the discomforts of pregnancy can be relieved by gentle osteopathic treatment to help bone alignment, tissue drainage and breathing mechanics.

The usual problems that pregnant mums see me for are around -

• Feelings of discomfort

• Hip, lower back, neck, pelvic and wrist pain

• Reflux

• Shortness of breath

It’s not uncommon for women to experience pain in pregnancy for the first time in new places as their body changes. It’s as well to seek help early with pregnancy related pain as the growth of the baby challenges the body increasingly as the pregnancy progresses. Unfortunately some things do get worse if not treated.

If you have suffered an injury to your pelvis or coccyx it’s worth seeking treatment to support the normal biomechanical function of the tissues before you labour.

Osteopathy treatment can also help prepare you for the birth by bringing physiology into balance and helping your body work as an integrated whole so that labour is effective.

A typical treatment plan is 2-4 appointments.