Pregnancy and Post-natal Care
AT BAYSIDE OSTEOPATHIC CLINIC
We can help you to manage pregnancy related pain, which can prepare your body for birth and post birth, thus allowing you to focus and enjoy the arrival of your new baby.
what is
Pregnancy and Post-natal Care with Osteopathy
Pregnancy related pain is commonly experienced throughout all trimesters and osteopathic treatment may help with managing these symptoms. During and after pregnancy your body is coping with lots of changes such as increased strain on the spine and hormonal changes which can increase the possibility of injury to your ligaments and joints. Some of the common problems we see during pregnancy include lower back pain, pelvic pain, and instability as well as upper back, neck and shoulder pain, whilst the post pregnancy issues can include sciatica, carpal tunnel syndrome and headaches.
HOW IT CAN
HELP YOU
Bayside Osteopathic Clinic understands how to help your body adjust to the changes that are occurring. With a variety of hands-on techniques combined with appropriate exercises for different stages of the pregnancy, we can help you to manage pregnancy related pain, which can prepare your body for birth and post birth, thus allowing you to focus and enjoy the arrival of your new baby.
WE HELP WITH
BIRTH AND BEYOND
After your baby has arrived, your body is still coping with major physical adjustments, and strains can occur more readily from activities such as lifting and carrying your baby, breast feeding and pushing a pram. Osteopathic treatment post-birth may help to aid your recovery and reduce the risk of any lasting injuries within your body. Many women find that if they don’t resolve any physical problems between births, their symptoms may be exacerbated with subsequent pregnancies.
Along with hands on treatment, we can provide you with a tailored exercise programme based around pelvic floor strengthening and correcting any muscular imbalances that may be present. This can be done in a one-on-one setting which ensures correct technique, before practising in the home environment. We also offer group exercise options. To ensure the class is safe for everyone, we do ask all participants to complete an initial exercise assessment with the practitioner prior to attendance.
Osteopathy
and Babies
Treating babies using manual therapies is undeniably contentious, and certainly there is very little good quality research into the use of manual therapies such as Osteopathy on infants. We always recommend that the first port of call for any problems affecting babies should be your GP. However, in cases where medical tests have indicated no serious underlying conditions, many mothers do seek Osteopathic treatment for their babies, and osteopathy may have a role to play in the management of a limited range of conditions affecting babies especially if there is a possible musculoskeletal component to the problem.
The types of conditions for which mothers often seek treatment include:
- Feeding difficulties, especially if related to head and jaw compression during birth
- Neck issues that cause babies to prefer one side, or have flat spots on their skull
- General unsettledness and irritability
- Colic/ bowel problems caused by disturbed function, not disease
- Reflux related to spasm in the muscle wall of the gut
We have also observed, and there is some evidence to indicate that, after certain types of births, musculoskeletal problems affecting both babies and mothers may be more common. These include:
- A long or very short labour
- An atypical delivery that might involve the use of forceps or ventouse/ vacuum
- A Caesarean birth
- or multiple pregnancies
These types of deliveries can sometimes cause birth strains to both mother and baby, and while any such problems should first be investigated by a doctor, some cases may respond to Osteopathic treatment. In such cases, we are happy to discuss with mothers whether Osteopathy may be of benefit. We are very happy to liaise and work collaboratively with GPs, midwives and maternal health nurses to obtain the best results for mothers and babies.
WE TREAT BABIES
WITH THE
LIGHTEST CARE
We treat babies using only the lightest of Osteopathic techniques, and there are very few documented cases of any significant risks or adverse effects associated with this type of treatment. If a baby is more comfortable s/he can be treated in her/ his parents arms or whilst feeding. Babies tend to enjoy getting treated and quite often fall asleep while being worked on.