PREGNANCY AND BABIES

Benefits of Ostepathy during Pregnancy

During pregnancy enormous physical, chemical and emotional changes take place over a relatively short period of time. The body has to get used to carrying up to 20lb/10kg of baby, water and placenta, which can impose great physical strain on the organs, tissues, joints and ligaments of the body. In order for the pregnant body to adapt to all these changes it has to find new ways to stand, walk, sit and sleep often resulting in aches and pains

Osteopathic treatment while pregnant can ease some of the symptoms typically associated with pregnancy including:

Back, neck or shoulder pain,

Muscular Tension

Groin, lower abdominal pain or pubic symphysis pain

Nausea and vomiting

Heartburn

Sciatica

An Osteopath can also:

Provide advice on breathing techniques, stretches and exercise you can do to maintain your health and wellbeing throughout your pregnancy

Help prepare ‘the way’ for a more trouble free childbirth, by improving flexibility in the pelvis and abdomen

Help the mother to recover after birth

Benefits of Osteopathic Treatment after Birth

After birth it is advised that both mother and child return to see an osteopath for a check-up and, if necessary, for treatment. Osteopathy after a pregnancy can:

Ensure your body returns back to shape quickly

Help you regain your strength and flexibility

Check and correct any remaining strains in the back and pelvis

Osteopathy for Babies

We rarely think of it this way but for most of us, our birth has been the most traumatic event we have gone through.

The movement of the baby through the birth canal in labour obliges the head to move in several specific directions whilst undergoing the powerful pressure of the contractions. This naturally causes some compression of the skull. Some compressions may be relieved spontaneously after birth as the baby cries or suckles. However this process is often incomplete and the infant’s head or body may not fully recover from the distortion. For the baby, this may result in subtle changes in function leading to problems such as:

Discomfort whilst lying on his/her back

Excess mucous production

Headaches

Plagiocephaly (Flat Head or Odd Shaped Head)

Suckling/Feeding difficulties

The secondary effects of unresolved cranial compressions are wide ranging and can lead to:

Colic or Excessive Crying

Regurgitation

Sinus problems

Sleep disturbances

Suckling/Feeding difficulties

Unsettled restless babies

As children grow older, problems may become apparent which may have arisen because of earlier strains (from birth) or as a result of trauma such as knocks on the head or falls. Recurrent infections in the nose or ears (glue ear) may be due in part to tensions in the various structures of the growing skull.

We also consider that mechanical stress on the skull can be an important factor in cases of developmental delay such as delayed speech, learning difficulties and problem with coordination and physical development. Such children make better progress once osteopathic treatment is started.

The gentle, skillful application of osteopathic treatment by an Osteopath experienced in treating babies and children can often bring about a distinct improvement in these cases. It is increasingly considered as a treatment of choice for some conditions caused by difficult or traumatic birth. The techniques used are very safe and effective. Specific gentle pressure is applied wherever necessary (not only on the head) to enable the inherent healing ability of the body to aid the release of stresses.

On average, 2 to 6 treatments are sufficient. This varies according to the severity of the actual problem and the age of the child.