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Pregnancy is a time when women are more aware of the workings of their body. It produces the largest postural change that a woman’s body will undergo. For many years, osteopaths have used their skills to help relieve the aches and pains caused by weight and posture changes during and after pregnancy. For many women pregnancymeans having to cope with a whole range of symptoms from backpain to morning sickness. As the baby grows in the womb, its extra weight results in a changed centre ofgravity and posture changes from week to week. This can lead to a variety ofachesand pains. As breast weight increases, this also causes changes and painmay occur in theupper back and neck.
Osteopathic treatment through pregnancy is a wonderfully gentle way of helping the bodyadap to the changes which are taking place. The safety of mother and baby isthe osteopath’s first concern.Advice from your osteopath can help you to changeyour posture and learn to use your bodycorrectly through pregnancy. Osteopaths can also help to ease other side effects of pregnancysuch as heartburn,indigestion, constipation and pain in the buttock, groin or leg Some patients,too, report reduced morning sickness after osteopathic treatment.
Osteopathic treatment during pregnancy is not new. For many years, osteopaths have usedtheirskills to help, employing a variety of gentle techniques to ease supporting muscles and ligaments.Every pregnancy is ‘special’. Osteopaths focus on the mother as a person and take account ofher emotional state and other factors as well as her physical condition.Treatment may be supplemented by exercises and otherforms of self help which the osteopath may prescribe for the mother to do athome.
An osteopath can advise on positions in labour to help prevent back problemslater. Pain relief techniques can also be shown to the mother and her partner or friend so that they can help during labour
After delivery it is advised that mother and child return for structural examination,advice andcheck ups and, if necessary, for treatment.
Useful tips
Look after your back during pregnancy. Take particular care when lifting and carrying –especially lifting or carrying other children. Do not carry a small child on one arm for any length of time. Ask your osteopath for appropriate exercises.
If you stand for any length of time, keep your bottom ‘tucked in’ toreduce strain on the lower part of your spine.
When sitting, use a cushion for support and don’t sit with your legscrossed. Avoid twisting movements. These may cause torsional strain within the pelvis.
Lying on your side in bed, place a pillow under ‘the bump’ to providesupport and also ut a pillow between your knees to prevent back strain.
If you prefer to lie on your back, place pillows beneath your knees tokeep them bent.
Make sure all equipment (changing tables, pushchair, pram etc.) is at a comfortable height for you
See also: Can I see an Osteopath whilst I am pregnant?
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