Osteopathy
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Women's Health
PREGNANCY
Pregnancy is a wonderful experience but for some women, they may experience pain or discomfort due to the significant changes in the body. It would be wise to see an Osteopath both during and after pregnancy. This is explained in the information below.
Osteopathy recognizes that much of the pain and disability we suffer stems from abnormalities in our body’s structure and function. To accommodate the growing foetus, the body undergoes tremendous changes. Osteopaths diagnose and treat problems with muscles, ligaments, nerves and joints to help the body adjust to the changing body, and to adapt better to these changes.
Osteopathy can help with:
- Aches and pains - Sciatica - Nausea/vomiting - Heart burn - Breathing difficulties - Indigestion - Constipation - Tingling in fingers - Headaches - Aching feet and ankles - Carpal tunnel syndromeOsteopathic Treatment
Goal - Is to assist the natural process of pregnancy, maximizing the body’s ability to adjust and to compensate for the changes as efficiently as possible in support of mother and baby with a minimum of pain and discomfort.
Manual Treatment - Helps the soft tissue and joints of the skeletal system to adjust to the changing body, and to prepare muscles, ligaments and supportive soft tissues to better accept the changes.
Exercise Program - Carefully prescribed can improve general well being, improve fitness to make labour easier and shorter, and women who exercise during pregnancy have been known to gain less weight and deliver slightly smaller babies.
Self Help Tips - Take care of your back when lifting or carrying. Do not carry a small child on one arm for long periods. - If standing for long periods, keep your bottom “tucked in” to reduce strain on your lower back. - When sitting, use a cushion for support. Don’t sit with legs crossed. - When lying on your side in bed, place a pillow under “the bump” for support, and a pillow between your knees. - If lying on your back, place pillows beneath your knees to keep them bent.Management After Birth
It is important to continue seeing an Osteopath after birth for a range of reasons:
- Some women start experiencing back problems and period pain only after birth which can be caused by weakened ligaments and lack of muscle strength, thereby weakening the whole structure.
- Treatment by an Osteopath can help restore the body’s balance, removing tension and assisting new mothers to cope with broken sleep and breast-feeding.
- Breast-feeding can cause postural strains and pain in the mid to upper spine. Osteopathic treatment can promote better blood flow and lymphatic drainage to the breast area.
- Advice can also be provided on posture for breast feeding, sleep and daily activities. Exercises can also be prescribed to strengthen the abdominals and the pelvic floor.
- The baby can also suffer long lasting effects from the moulding process during birth, and an Osteopathic check up is recommended. Please refer to ‘Osteopathy and children’.
Self Help Tips For After Birth - If you are feeling tired and sleep deprived, sleep when your baby sleeps. This will assist in your recovery and ability to handle stress and remain calm. - Breast-feed your baby if possible. Breast-feeding normalizes the hormones and helps you bond with the baby. This will help reduce stress. - Drink lots of water and eat nutritious meals. This keeps your strength us, and increases the body’s ability to provide breast mild and cope with fatigue and lack of sleep. - Do pelvic floor exercises. The sooner you do these after birth the better, as they rebalance the pelvis, and assist bladder control. - Start light exercise. No matter how tired you feel, a little light exercise will make you feel better so push yourself to reap the benefits of movement. Try yoga, walking or swimming. These activities will improve general blood circulation, stretch the muscles and improve general well being.MENSTRUAL PAIN
Different women have different symptoms when it comes to menstrual pain. Some may just experience a dull ache in their lower abdomen or lower back, or some can experience severe cramping with nausea and vomiting that can persist for days. Most women use painkillers and anti-inflammatories to reduce these symptoms, and Osteopaths can provide some relief as well as valuable advice on how to prevent menstrual pain.
Osteopathic Treatment
Goals - Improve movement in the joints of the hips and pelvis, increase circulation, lymphatic drainage and nerve supply to the area.
Manual Treatment - Helps release the soft tissues and joints of the pelvis to reduce constrictions within the lower abdomen, and allow better function and mobility.
Advice - Osteopaths will provide advice on exercise and stretching, diet and posture to gain some relief from menstrual pain.
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