Osteopathy, Pregnancy and Post-natal Mums

During pregnancy it is a lot easier to strain your back and pelvis, so think before you lift or bend.  Many women who experience pain during pregnancy think nothing can be done, as there is not much help from your GP because most drugs are not safe during pregnancy.  This is not the case.  Pregnancy is one of the best times to receive Osteopathic treatment because of the body’s tissues becoming more supple.  It is a safe and effective way of eliminating or reducing your spinal and pelvic pains.  Mums can respond very quickly to treatment.  Some women may have had problems or injury prior to becoming pregnant, for others it may be the first time you will have experienced musculo-skeletal pain.

In either case the Osteopath will examine your back to see what is stopping your posture adapting to your growing baby.

Here at not just backs… we love treating and caring for our pregnant ladies.  Not only do we treat your back, but we also talk about how you can prepare for labour and delivery.  Giving advice on exercise, posture, labour positions all helps to try and create the best possible delivery and therefore a more content baby.

Please try and stay as relaxed and happy throughout your pregnancy because this also has an effect on your baby.  More stressed mums seem to have more distressed, colicky babies.

If you were lucky enough to escape pains during pregnancy then many women suffer post-natally.  Being pregnant, giving birth and post-natal care puts enormous demands on the body.  It is common for women to maintain their pregnancy posture long after delivery, which can cause back problems especially as their baby gets bigger and heavier.  Common problems we treat post-natally are backache, coccyx pain, headaches, and tendonitis (particularly in the wrist and shoulder).  We often see women that still have back pain remaining from childbirth days or even years after they have given birth.  It takes a lot more treatment to resolve their pain at this time, than if they had undergone treatment in the 6 months following the birth.  If you are breastfeeding your tissues can remain supple for up to 2 years post-natal.  This suppleness makes treatment much more effective.