Osteopathy, Before, During and After Pregnancy

Before pregnancy it is advisable to have the spinal, pelvic, hip & ankle joints checked and balanced. This can greatly reduce the quantity and likelihood of suffering from joint related and physical pressure problems during and after the pregnancy. This is particularly important for ladies who have any history of back problems. Pregnancy can mean having to cope with a whole range of symptoms from low back pain to morning sickness.

As the baby grows in the womb, the extra weight and changed centre of gravity can mean pregnant women are more likely to suffer from lower back pain. Similarly, as breast weight increases, a womans' upper back may also give her cause for complaint. Osteopathy treatment can help the body adjust to increasing weight and changing posture to cut the pain and disablement of changes during pregnancy.

Manipulative therapy by registered Osteopaths can help to relieve the lower back pain that afflicts more than half of all pregnant women before and after the birth (J Bone Joint Surg.Am, 1994;76:1720-30; Orthopaedics, 1993;16:1339-44). Osteopathy with myofascial technique (which releifes pain by applying pressure at specific trigger points on the body) can also help to releive the pain of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), which causes numbness, tingling and pain in the hands and wrists of up to a quarter of all pregnant women, according to two studies (J Am Ost Assoc, 1993:93:127-8: J Am OSc Assoc, 1994:94:647-63).

Morning sickness can be helped by treating soft tissues surounding the digestive system to relax them. An osteopath can also work on the less well-known "side effects" of pregnancy like heartburn and constipation, and help to alleviate pain caused by varicose veins.

Osteopathic treatment during and after pregnancy is a recognised speciality within Osteopathy and has brough immense relief during preganancy and easier labours to thousands of women with total safety. Both Jonathan Cove, Principal Osteopath at the Carlton Clinic, and his partners, have successfully completed post graduate courses in this speciality and Jonathan has worked additionally during his training in the 'pregnancy clinic' of the Osteopathic College. Safety requirements are well documented and certain therapy machines and techniques are restricted from use during pregnancy but any limitations these create are more than compensated for by the increased responsiveness to treatment during pregnancy and treatment quantity is often very small.

Our Doctor Naturopath can be consulted for general health preparation prior to and monitoring throughout a pregnancy for a Naturopathic approach to health with a medical overview.

Many ladies find that the 'rebalancing of the body' acupuncture can be very beneficial in pregnancy, along with the safe relief elicited by the gentle Homoeopathic remedies. The clinics Homoeopath and Acupuncturist has worked extensively with pregnant ladies including being used by a local hospital Midwifery/obstetrics department.

For relief during labour itself there are very simple techniques Osteopaths are trained to teach fathers/birth partners that can give great relief, and our Homeopath/Acupuncturist is experienced in using acupuncture during labour for pain relief and working with obstetricians and midwives in this matter

The safe and effective treatment of pregnant patients forms part of osteopathic training. Gentle techniques will be used for relaxation and stretching of muscles, easing overstretched tissues, relieving painful areas, releasing painful joints and ligaments, traction/distraction techniques to lift the babies weight to relieve the weight pressure on joints and internals. The treatment may be reinforced by prescribing gentle exercises. For example, the hormonal changes which occur during pregnancy can cause feet to spread and flatten. An osteopath can treat this problem and draw up simple exercises to ease discomfort caused by this.

Varicose veins and the associated cramps are often present during the last stages of pregnancy. An extract of various herbal remedies contain flavonoids, which are powerfull antioxidants that can protect and strengthen the vascular tissue and can help to treat or prevent this bugbear of pregnancy (Minerva Ginecol, 1981;33:221-30).

During the later stages of pregnancy, an osteopath can show anyone who will be present at the delivery some simple pain relieving techniques using massage and pressure. After delivery, mother and baby should return to the osteopath for a post-natal check-up.

Consultation: appointment by telephone 01293 784200

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