Women’s Health and Osteopathy

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Osteopathy can be an effective form of treatment for women in both ante and post natal  stages. This is for a number of reasons, and not necessarily only if the woman is experiencing pain. For example, it has been known to:

1. Help the body to adapt to the changes in anatomy and physiology taking place during and after pregnancy
2. Ease the discomforts sometimes experienced as the body is changing shape and hormonal levels are adjusting, such as

heartburn
breathing difficulties
chest and rib pains
low back and pelvic pain
sciatica
water retention

3. Help the woman prepare for giving birth on a physical and emotional level
4. Provide support and reassurance for the woman as she progresses through her pregnancy and after giving birth

I  enjoy  being  able  to  see  women  quite  soon  after  giving  birth,  as  there  is  a  lot  osteopaths  can  do  to  balance  and  stabilize  the  musculoskeletal  system.  The  body  has  been  through  a  great  deal  in  a  short  space  of  time,  and  even  in  a  straightforward  birth  there  can  be  a  sense  of  shock  held  in  the  pelvis.  Gentle  treatment  can  be  really  effective  at  calming  the  nervous  system  and  reintegrating  the  pelvis  with  the  rest  of  the  body,  as  sometimes   there  is  a  sense  of  disconnect betweeen  upper  and  lower  halves.  This  helps  recovery  in  the  long  term  too.