osteopathy and pregnancy
Eastern Osteopathy Melbourne is the best pregnancy Osteopathic clinic near you in Melbourne. Our focus is not just on your pregnancy related pain but also in helping to prepare you, and your pelvic floor for birth. We have exceptionally trained osteopaths in the areas of pregnancy related pain and birth preparation.
Pregnancy is a very special time for an expecting parent and their unborn child. During pregnancy your body will undergo major changes in a relatively short period of time. In order to adapt to changes in size and weight, your body releases a hormone called relaxin. This allows the ligaments throughout your body to soften and stretch, helping your posture to adapt as your baby grows.
If your body adapts well to this increase in size and weight, you will generally experience minimal pain and discomfort. If your body has trouble accommodating these changes, undue strain can be placed on your spine, neck, shoulders and pelvic floor that can cause pain and discomfort.
How can osteopathic treatment help during pregnancy?
Our osteopaths will help support these postural changes by identifying regions in your body that are either not moving or moving too much. We use a variety of gentle techniques to improve mobility, relieve stress in muscles, tendons and ligaments, giving your body more space to adapt throughout your pregnancy. Our osteopaths in Kew and Hawthorn have many years experience treating women’s health conditions and supporting women through all stages of pregnancy.
All our osteopaths have experience treating the following conditions during pregnancy:
Lower back pain.
Sciatica (pain down the legs)
Sacroiliac pain.
Pelvic girdle and pubic symphysis pain
Rib pain
Shoulder and upper back pain.
Headaches
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
Previous injuries can limit your body’s ability to adapt, therefore predisposing you to aches and pains during pregnancy. During treatment it is often necessary to release chronic stress and strain from past injuries and trauma, particularly in your pelvis and lower back. This will not only help relieve the presenting symptom, but will also reduce the chance of a recurrence by giving your body more space to adapt throughout the rest of your pregnancy.
HOW Can OSTEO HELP WITH BIRTH PREPARATION?
During your treatment with our osteopaths, they will work on making sure the ligaments and fascia that influence your uterus and pelvis are working and moving optimally with the intention of creating space within your pelvis giving your baby the room to move freely into your pelvis.
We also educate on;
Protocol for breech babies
Spinning babies and optimal material positioning.
Pregnancy yoga practices to help create space
Perineal massage
Active birth positions
Relaxation techniques for the pelvic floor
Tips for minimizing the risk of perineal tearing
Labour breathing techniques
Postnatal care of the perineal area
Kathryn, Nicole, Geetha, Meg & Lara are highly trained using internal myofascial techniques to help relieve tension in the pelvic floor to help these muscles get out of the way during the birth process. All of our other osteopaths will use external techniques to help relieve tension in the pelvic floor muscles.
OSTEOPATHY, PREGNANCY & THE PELVIC FLOOR
Can I have internal pelvic floor assessment and treatment while pregnant?
Most of the time, yes. Once in the second trimester you are welcome to book an appointment with Kathryn for internal pelvic floor assessment and/or treatment. Moving forward as a general rule if you are cleared for penetrative sex with your partner, you are right to have an internal assessment.
Kathryn is highly trained in the area of internal pelvic floor assessment and treatment for those who are pregnant and has experience with;
Internal myofascial release to help with birth preparation.
Pregnancy and prolapse assessment and treatment.
Pregnancy internal coccyx manipulation
Light bladder leakage while pregnant assessment, treatment and rehabilitation.
Internal assessment of the pelvic floor for those who are wishing to learn about their pelvic floor and ensure their pelvic floor is functioning well.
Internal myofascial release to help with pregnancy related back, hip and pelvic girdle pain.
Kathryn, due to demand and how booked her diary is, works closely with all of the osteopaths when it comes to the treatment of pregnancy and pelvic floor concerns. Patients often see the other osteopaths for body work, Mia for rehabilitation specific programs and Kathryn for their treatments including internal pelvic floor work.
