Pregnancy and Osteopathy
Pregnancy can be a wonderful time but it also comes with
physical difficulties that need to be managed. April 13-19 is International Osteopathy Awareness Week and the
perfect opportunity to learn how osteopathy can help you.
Osteopathy Australia (formerly Australian Osteopathic
Association) member, Dr Julia Redfern, works closely with pregnant women to
ensure this special time in their lives goes as smoothly as possible.
Being pregnant can be a truly amazing experience. But there
are a lot of aches and pains that can go hand-in-hand with pregnancy.
Pregnancy puts a lot of strain on the body as it goes
through major changes to accommodate a growing baby. As the pregnancy
progresses the extra weight creates a shift in the bodyÛªs centre of gravity,
pulling the body off balance.
Supporting ligaments loosen which can mean less stability,
increasing the chance of injury. Low back pain and pelvic pain are also common complaints
in pregnancy with up to 60% of women experiencing back pain[1].
Many pregnant women find that treatment form an osteopath is
very helpful for reducing pain throughout their pregnancy and in preparation
for labour.
A 2010 study shows that osteopathic manipulative treatment
slows or stops back-specific problems that can occur during the third trimester
of pregnancy[2]. To
assist with these problems, osteopaths may employ gentle soft tissue,
articulation or stretching techniques during treatment.
Not only will your osteopath treat the symptoms and pains of
pregnancy, they can also offer advice about managing them.
We often demonstrate self-help techniques that you and your
partner can use during pregnancy and labour.
Osteopathy is a form of drug-free, manual healthcare that
focuses on total body health by treating and strengthening the musculoskeletal
framework. It positively affects the bodyÛªs nervous, circulatory and lymphatic
systems.
Osteopathy is safe for all age groups and osteopaths treat
not only the specific problem but also provide lifestyle advice on diet,
exercise, stress reduction, posture and breathing. Osteopaths encourage
individuals to proactively prevent injuries and ailments, which in the long
term leads to better overall health and less time and money spent on treatment.
[1] Wang, S.-M., Dezinno, P., Maranets, I., Berman, M.,
Caldwell-Andrews, A., & Kain, Z. (2004). Low Back Pain During Pregnancy:
Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Outcomes. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 65-70.
[2] Licciardone, J., Buchanan, S., Hensel, K., King, H.,
Fulda, K., & Stoll, S. (2010). Osteopathic manipulative treatment of back
pain and related symptoms during pregnancy: a randomized controlled trial. American
Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 43.