As a baby grows inside the womb, the mother-to-be will experience many physical changes over the course of her pregnancy. Postural and hormonal changes, as well as weight gain, can add pressure to joints and muscles of the spine and pelvis – often leading to pain and discomfort for the mother.
While there are many ways to help alleviate pain and discomfort associated with pregnancy, one form of treatment worth exploring is Osteopathy. Below we’ll touch on what osteopathy is, how it can help during pregnancy and also answer the commonly asked question about whether or not osteopath pregnancy treatment is safe.
What Is Osteopathy?
Osteopathy is a holistic and non-invasive manual therapy that involves working with the musculoskeletal framework of the body (particularly the joints, muscles and spine). Osteopathy is focused on the maintenance and overall health of the entire body (as opposed to focusing solely on the problem area).
An osteopathic approach uses gentle manipulation, stretching and massage of the body in order to:
- Increase joint mobility (especially within the spine and pelvis during pregnancy)
- Relieve muscle tension
- Reduce pain and discomfort
- Treat general medical conditions
- Maintain optimal health and balance throughout the entire body
How Can Osteopathy Help During Pregnancy?
Pregnancy can have a large impact on women’s bodies resulting from hormonal and other physical changes to the body. Often these changes can lead to pain and discomfort which is where osteopathy can help.
Osteopathy aims to assist mothers during their pregnancy by helping their bodies to adapt and align during the natural pregnancy process. Osteopathic treatments can provide support to women’s bodies while offering relief from common pregnancy complaints experienced by mothers.
Common pregnancy complaints include:
- Lower back pain
- Sciatica
- Shortness of breath
- Neck, shoulder and upper back pain
- Insomnia
- Swelling
- High blood pressure
- Fatigue
- Gait issues
- Plantar Fasciitis
Is Osteopath Pregnancy Treatment Safe?
Every pregnancy is unique, which is why osteopaths carefully choose a treatment approach to suit the specific and individual needs of each patient. Safe for both mums-to-be and baby, osteopathic treatment uses gentle hands-on techniques to help restore proper alignment to the body while ensuring the mother is comfortable throughout the course of her treatment.
During pregnancy, women’s bodies go through extreme physical and hormonal changes. Osteopathic treatment can help women to adapt to these changes as well as prepare a woman’s body for labour. Osteopathy can also minimise any pain and discomfort experienced by mothers for a more comfortable pregnancy experience.
What Happens During A Pregnancy Osteopath Treatment?
During a pregnancy osteopath appointment, the osteopath will perform an evaluation of the body while paying close attention to the spine and pelvis. The osteopath will then look for any pre-existing or underlying conditions that may have an impact on the pregnancy as it progresses down the track.
The osteopath will carefully choose a personalised treatment plan that individually caters to the patient’s specific needs and condition.
During a treatment, osteopaths will use a range of hands-on treatment methods such as:
- Stretching muscles and joint capsules
- Applying gentle pressure
- Soft tissue massage
- Encouraging muscles to work against resistance
- Mobilisation
The osteopath may also provide patients with some simple exercises to continue at home while in between treatments.
Because osteopathic techniques use a more gentle approach, osteopathic treatment is not only a safe treatment option for mothers and their babies, but a beneficial one throughout the entire pregnancy.
Postpartum Osteopathy Treatment
While osteopathy can greatly benefit pregnant women, osteopathic treatment can also be beneficial once baby is born. Osteopathy can help mothers with post-pregnancy recovery while they adapt to new postural changes along with the recent shift in their body’s centre of gravity.
Osteopath Pregnancy Treatment In Brisbane
Looking for an osteopathic treatment centre in Brisbane? Get in touch with Queensland Osteopathic Clinic. We specialise in treating pregnant mothers during the various stages of their pregnancy and postpartum once baby is born.
Call (07) 3202 5963 or email our team to find out more about osteopath pregnancy treatment and how it can help reduce any pain and discomfort you may currently be experiencing. Prepare your body ahead of baby’s arrival – book an appointment with Queensland Osteopathic Clinic today for an osteopath pregnancy treatment.