Postpartum Osteopathic Care

28 Jun Postpartum Osteopathic Care

It is often thought that being pregnant and having a baby is the most physically challenging thing that a woman will go through in her life. Let’s face it, pregnancy is incredibly tough. Not only does growing an entire human being place strain on a woman’s internal organs, it can also make mum-to-be very uncomfortable with swollen feet and an aching back thanks to all the additional weight she is carrying.

Once the baby is born, the hard work only continues (even when dad pitches in to help). Having to follow a feeding and sleeping schedule, completing all the usual household chores and possibly having to look after one’s other children can naturally cause stress levels to rise to an all-time high. This stress can physically manifest in the body as neck, shoulder and back pain.

Other common ailments experienced postpartum include:

• lower back and upper back pain,
• sciatica,
• neck pain,
• muscle spasms,
• repetitive strain injuries, especially in the wrists,
• headaches,
• Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (disorders that occur when the blood vessels or nerves in the space between the collarbone and first rib are compressed),
• De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis (a painful condition affecting the tendons on the thumb-side of the wrist),
• pelvic instability, and
• needing rehab to strengthen and stabilise the pelvic floor and abdominal muscles.

As osteopaths we are able to safely treat expecting mothers during both the prenatal and postnatal periods.

Osteopathy takes a holistic approach to diagnosing, treating and preventing many health problems. Osteopathy focuses on the musculoskeletal system (comprising of the bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments and tissues of the body) and is a complementary form of therapy that can be used in conjunction with other forms of treatment that a patient may be receiving. We are therefore able to safely treat expecting mothers during both the prenatal and postnatal periods.

Each pregnancy experience is different, as is each mum and also the symptoms that she will experience.

It is recommended to avoid high-impact activities, such as running or jumping, after birth and while receiving osteopathic treatment. Instead, mums should try to do gentle activities and postural re-education exercises (your osteopath will advise and demonstrate how to do these). New mums should also try to maintain a good posture when breastfeeding and should lift heavy objects by bending at the knees and keeping the back straight to avoid back pain.

At OsteoVision, our practitioners are highly skilled in treating a wide range of conditions. Please contact us if you would like to discuss your symptoms, to book an appointment, or require more information about postnatal osteopathic treatment.

Call:     03303 904300
Email:  info@osteovision.life
You can also book an appointment online at www.osteovision.life