Pregnancy and Osteopathy

Oh my goodness…. I’m pregnant! What will happen to my body?

These are the thoughts that runs through every expectant mothers mind when they find out they are pregnant. It can be an exciting, emotional, scary, fun, tiring and amazing experience.  Having informed and supportive pre and post-natal care is very important in the journey for the mother and the baby.

Being pregnant for 40 weeks allows both the baby and mother to develop and undergo amazing physical changes – as well as get prepared mentally for an amazing life changing experience!  There are many changing factors that happen to accommodate for the growing baby.

As body systems are affected, pregnancy can be tiring and make you feel sore, hungry, tired and euphoric all at once!

Keeping fit and healthy and understanding what your body is going through during each stage of pregnancy cab be really helpful in managing “normal” pregnancy related symptoms and pain.

As Melbourne Osteopaths, we see many women who are trying to fall pregnant, during pregnancy, as well as in the post partum stage.

Common pregnancy related complaints that Osteopaths can see may include, but not be limited to:

1. Pelvic instability
2. Sciatica
3. Lower back pain
4. Pelvic girdle pain
5. Pubic symphysis pain
6. Pelvic floor weakness or spasm
7. Hip pain
8. Neck pain and shoulder pain
9. Headaches and Migraines
10. Carpal tunnel syndrome
11. Heartburn

Due to the changing muscle and joint stresses and strains placed on a women’s body, especially the lower back, pelvis and hips, there is a lot we can do to give relief!

Techniques that Pregnancy Osteopaths use may include:

• Massage!
  • Yes it is great to have massage as part of your osteopathic treatment. Not only does it feel nice, but it helps with circulation issues, muscle tightness, spasm and release off tightness in legs, backs, neck and wherever else it may be giving symptoms
• Mobilisation and Articulation
  • Mobilising joints or helping take strain off joints which are already under a lot of load can help with pain and movement.
  • This is done very gently to support the changing body!
• Stretching
  • Can help alleviate tightness and pain and give you more chance to feel like you can breathe and move better within your body
• Muscle Energy Techniques
  • This will help release off tight muscles and joints and give you a better and more balanced range of motion available
• Dry Needling
  • Using Acupuncture needles, dry needling is a great way to help spasmed and tight muscles immediately by releasing the trigger points or “knots” within the muscle
• Rehabilitation and Strength Work
  • Prescribing appropriate strength work for the pre and post natal woman is really important! This may include exercises for the:
    • Core
    • Pelvic floor
    • Gluteal (bottom) muscles
    • Back muscles – both upper, middle and lower
    • Feet – including balance and proprioceptive work
    • And whatever the individual may require as well!
  • Use of Tools for Home Care
    • This can include
      • Taping
      • Bracing
      • Equipment such as massage relief balls, foam rollers and thera-band
      • Application of Heat or Ice packs
      • Recommendations for use of supplements if required

Each woman will have a different experience, hence each patient we see will be treated as per their stage or pregnancy or post natal period, as well as their individual body needs, pains and requirements.

No 2 patients will be treated the same, nor given the same exercises! We each have a different medical history, body type and muscle and joint patterns or strains and hence your treatment will be tailored to you!  Your Melbourne Osteopath at St Kilda Osteopathy is experienced in treating and helping manage pre and post natal mums!