Pregnancy is a unique and beautiful experience in a woman’s life but it can also present many challenges to the body. Osteopathy and pregnancy are closely linked – osteopathy provides a holistic approach to healthcare and can provide many benefits to women during pregnancy.
This type of treatment utilises a variety of manual techniques and can help relieve the common symptoms experienced during pregnancy. In this blog, we will explore the many advantages of osteopathy treatment and its role during pregnancy.
What is Osteopathy?
Osteopathy is a form of manual therapy that focuses on the interrelationship between the body’s overall structure and function. It is based on the principle that the body can heal itself and that the treatment process can be enhanced through manual manipulation.
Osteopaths use their hands to diagnose and treat health problems by moving, stretching, and massaging the patient’s muscles and joints. The purpose of this approach by osteopaths is to improve the body’s overall natural ability to health itself.
Osteopathy and Pregnancy
Pregnancy is a beautiful and life-changing experience for many women, but it also has significant effects on the body. During the process of pregnancy, a woman’s body undergoes significant changes to accommodate the growing fetus.
These changes to the body can often lead to higher levels of discomfort and musculoskeletal issues. Osteopathy can help to address these issues, ensuring the mother’s and baby’s well-being.
The Effects of Pregnancy on the Body
The process of pregnancy is often full of joy and happiness – however, there are many effects it can have on the body. These effects can significantly impact the overall physical and mental health of the mother, negatively impacting the beautiful pregnancy experience.
Here are some of the key effects pregnancy often has on a woman’s body:
- Increase in weight
- Hormonal changes
- Stress and anxiety
- Pain and discomfort
- Sciatica and neck pain
How Does Osteopathy Help during Pregnancy?
As highlighted above, pregnancy can have many effects on the body, impacting the overall experience of the process. However, this is where osteopathic treatment can be beneficial and a lifesaver for pregnant women.
Osteopathic treatment during pregnancy focuses on enhancing the body’s natural ability to adapt to these effects on the body and heal itself. The use of gentle hands-on techniques can help relieve common pregnancy-related issues such as neck and sciatic nerve pain.
The Benefits of Osteopathy During Pregnancy
There are many symptoms associated with pregnancy – and it is believed osteopathy is a beneficial treatment option for relieving these many symptoms. Here are some of the key benefits of osteopathy during pregnancy:
Pain Relief
The presence of pain and discomfort in the body can greatly affect your daily life, making simple tasks a lot more challenging.
A review studied the effectiveness of osteopathy in pregnant and postpartum women. It found that osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) helped to ease lower back pain in pregnant women and women who have recently had a baby.
Having the ability to address musculoskeletal imbalances and issues, osteopathy can also relieve sharp pain sensations often experienced during pregnancy.
Improved Circulation
During pregnancy, blood circulation is often impacted causing swelling – particularly in the feet and hands. However, the techniques used in osteopathic treatment help promote better blood flow throughout the body improving your overall quality of life.
This improved level of circulation can be a game-changer if you are going through the process of pregnancy by supporting better nutrient delivery within your body.
Enhanced Mobility
Through the use of gentle hands-on techniques such as manipulation and stretching, osteopathy can help reduce tension and improve the overall function of the musculoskeletal system. This makes it much easier for pregnant women to move more comfortably and maintain an active lifestyle during the process.
Support for Posture
As the body adapts during pregnancy, maintaining good posture becomes a lot more difficult. To improve overall posture, osteopaths provide key guidance and treatment to support posture. This will reduce the risk of experiencing pain and discomfort during pregnancy that is caused by poor posture.
Improved Sleep
Sleep is key during pregnancy – lack of sleep can lead to complications such as preterm birth, preeclampsia and a higher risk of cesarian delivery.
The use of osteopathic treatment during pregnancy can provide a sense of relaxation to the nervous system, leading to better sleep. Techniques such as cranial osteopathy can be highly effective for enhancing relaxation and reducing stress levels that may be stopping you from getting enough sleep during pregnancy.
Osteopathy and Labour
Labour and delivery often present many challenges impacting the structure and function of the body. However, this is where osteopathy treatment plays a crucial part in improving your overall health by focusing on the body’s natural healing ability.
Regular osteopathic treatments can be beneficial in helping the body prepare for labour and improving flexibility in the lower back. This will contribute to a much smoother labour process and reduce the levels of discomfort during the process.
Is Osteopathy Considered Safe During Pregnancy?
Osteopathy treatment provides many benefits during pregnancy however, many women are unsure whether the treatment is safe for use. The answer is yes, osteopathy is generally considered safe during pregnancy when provided by a qualified practitioner.
Osteopaths are highly skilled professionals and undergo a minimum of 4 years of training. All techniques involved in osteopathy are considered safe for pregnancy and provide a natural way for the body to heal from the effects pregnancy has on the body.
Osteopathy Treatment at Concordia Clinic
Osteopathy offers a natural way of supporting the overall health and well-being of pregnant women. The treatment offers many benefits that help address the common symptoms experienced during pregnancy, leading to a better quality of life.
Here at Concordia Clinic, we focus on all aspects of health and medicine, providing a wide range of treatments that can be tailored to your specific needs. If you are looking to advantage of the many benefits osteopathy has to offer, our team of professionals are dedicated to providing you with reliable treatments are services.
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