Post was written by Australian osteopathic practitioner Rebecca Brugman
Pregnancy is a unique time in a woman’s body and life. During pregnancy the body undergoes immense physical, hormonal and emotional changes over a relatively short space of time. Studies have shown that approximately 50% of pregnant women will suffer some form of back or pelvic pain throughout their pregnancy.[i]
A woman’s body is constantly changing and adapting during pregnancy. Up to 10 kilograms in weight of baby, placenta and fluids may be carried, which put a considerable amount of physical strain on the body.
The effects of hormonal softening of ligaments, the position of the growing baby, postural changes and increases in weight can put additional pressure on joints and muscles of the spine or pelvis.
Studies conducted with Manual Osteopathic intervention during pregnancy have shown that it is safe and gentle and that it may be very helpful for the reduction of a woman’s lower back and pelvic pain and discomfort.[ii] Treatment is usually completed in a sidelying or seated position, using gentle techniques to help to alleviate the stresses of the changing body. Treatment is aimed at ensuring that the movement of the lower back and pelvic girdle is functioning efficiently which assists helping to reduce back, hip or leg pain, it can also aid in the preparation and process of labour and delivery.[iii]
Even before pregnancy, an osteopathic evaluation, paying particular attention to the spine and pelvis, ensures that there are no pre-existing or underlying restrictions, which may cause problems with conception and further into the pregnancy.
Osteopathic treatment may help to alleviate the general aches and pains that are very common throughout pregnancy due to the marked postural changes due to change in body shape and the carrying of extra weight. Common conditions such as low-back pain, sacro-iliac joint pain and pubic symphisis (pelvic joint ) pain, hip and leg pain ‘sciatica’, upper back and neck pain that can cause headaches and rib pain can be treated using gentle osteopathic techniques such as massage, gentle stretching and normalising of joint range of motion.
Additional pregnancy related common complaints that Osteopathic treatment may assist include swelling of the limbs that can cause varicose veins, carpel tunnel syndrome, rib pain and digestive problems such as heartburn due to the growing baby pressing on the diaphragm.
If you would like to explore treatment with an Osteopathic Practitioner, please contact Reach Physiotherapy on 604.815.9864.
[i] Mens J., Vleeming A., Stoeckart R., Stam H., Snijders C.: Understanding Peripartum
Pelvic Pain. Spine 1996; Vol 21 (11), pp 1363-137
[ii] Kofler K.: Osteopathy for Back and Pelvic Pain in Pregnancy. http://www.osteopathicresearch.com/paper_pdf/Kofler.pdf, 2003.
[iii] Nistler G., Deutschmann U: Osteopathy as a therapy during pregnancy. A randomized controlled trial. http://www.osteopathic-research.com/cgi-bin/or/Search1.pl?show_one=31122. 2007.
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