Osteopathy and Pregnancy

Can Osteopathy help during your pregnancy? 

To follow up our last post on the importance of exercise in pregnancy, we thought it was important to address any barriers that may stop you from achieving those activity goals so you keep feeling your best. Sometimes, the thing stopping you from exercising may be musculoskeletal aches and pains. We thought we would provide some insight as to when you might consider getting Osteopathic treatment throughout your pregnancy.

Osteopaths see people for a wide variety of musculoskeletal complaints at many stages of life. A common reason people seek out treatment is for pregnancy related aches and pains. The human body is an amazing machine that is able to do so much. Whilst pregnant, there are so many changes happening to your body, there is no surprise that it can take a toll on it. This is where Osteopathy and pregnancy can may be beneficial.

Some common reasons pregnant women present to an Osteopath include, but aren’t limited to:

Lower back pain 

Pelvic girdle pain

Middle back pain

Headaches

Some of the incredible changes in pregnancy (such as ligaments relaxing, strain of a growing uterus and centre of gravity shifting) can contribute to why a woman may be experiencing some discomfort in pregnancy (1). It may be interesting to know that the risk of experiencing these kinds of pain is increased if you have had back pain or pelvic injury/trauma prior to pregnancy (2).

There is a growing body of evidence to support the use of manual therapy throughout pregnancy for the management of pregnancy related pain (3, 4, 6), especially when combined with specific exercises. Your Osteopath may employ such manual techniques as soft tissue massage, stretching, joint mobilisation as well as providing education about what is happening and exercise prescription.

If you have any questions in regards to your pregnancy aches or pains and would like some further information, don’t hesitate to reach out to one of our friendly team members at Valued Health Osteopathy on (9570 9061). We would love to help you Move, Grow and Thrive through this special time in your life.

Want to make an appointment? – Book Online Today!

(03) 9570 9061

www.valuedhealth.com.au

You do not need a referral to see one of our friendly Osteopaths at Valued Health Osteopathy. We have a very good relationship with many surrounding doctors, other health practitioners and personal trainers in the local community of Bentleigh East , Bentleigh, Ormond, McKinnon, Oakleigh, Carnegie, Caulfield, Moorabbin, Murrumbeena, Brighton, Clayton and Clarinda.

Valued Health Osteopathy offers:

Osteopathy

Clinical Pilates

Exercise Rehabilitation

Strength & Conditioning

Valued Health Osteopathy is open 6 days a week with early morning and evening appointments. Move better with Osteopathy!

Valued Health Osteopathy is located at 3/658 Centre Road, Bentleigh East, Melbourne, Victoria, 3165.

Valued Health Osteopathy | Osteopathy Australia

Osteopath Bentleigh East, Osteopath Bentleigh, Osteopath Ormond, Osteopath McKinnon, Osteopath Moorabbin, Osteopath Murrumbeena, Osteopath Oakleigh, Osteopath Carnegie, Osteopath Caulfield, Osteopath Clayton, Osteopath Brighton and Osteopath Cheltenham, Osteopath Dingley, Osteopath Beaumaris, Osteopath Melbourne

References:

1. Oswald, Christopher, Ceara C. Higgins, and Demetry Assimakopoulos. “Optimizing pain relief during pregnancy using manual therapy.”Canadian Family Physician59.8 (2013): 841-842.
2. Vleeming A, Albert HB, Ostgaard HC, Sturesson B, Stuge B. European guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of pelvic girdle pain.Eur Spine J. 2008;17(6):794-819. doi:10.1007/s00586-008-0602-4
3. Rubinstein S M, de Zoete A, van Middelkoop M, Assendelft W J J, de Boer M R, van Tulder M W et al. Benefits and harms of spinal manipulative therapy for the treatment of chronic low back pain: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials  BMJ  2019;  364 :l689 doi:10.1136/bmj.l689
4. Stuge B, Laerum E, Kirkesola G, Vøllestad N. The efficacy of a treatment program focusing on specific stabilizing exercises for pelvic girdle pain after pregnancy: a randomized controlled trial. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2004 Feb 15;29(4):351-9. doi: 10.1097/01.brs.0000090827.16926.1d. PMID: 15094530.
5. https://www.osteopathy.org.au/about-osteopathy/patients/areas-of-practice/women-s-pre-post-birth-support-and-pelvic-health
6. Depledge J, McNair PJ, Keal-Smith C, Williams M. Management of symphysis pubis dysfunction during pregnancy using exercise and pelvic support belts. Phys Ther. 2005 Dec;85(12):1290-300. PMID: 16305268.
8. Gutke A, Lundberg M, Östgaard HC, Öberg B. Impact of postpartum lumbopelvic pain on disability, pain intensity, health-related quality of life, activity level, kinesiophobia, and depressive symptoms. Eur Spine J. 2011 Mar;20(3):440-8. doi: 10.1007/s00586-010-1487-6. Epub 2010 Jul 1. PMID: 20593205; PMCID: PMC3048223.