In this blog post, we will discuss how osteopathic treatment and massage can help support good back care during and before pregnancy. We will also provide treatment and tailored advice to help you manage your back pain effectively.
Back pain is one of the most common complaints during pregnancy. In fact, it is so common that around 50-80% of pregnant women experience some form of back pain. This can be due to several factors, such as the extra weight that you are carrying around, changes in your posture, and hormonal changes. If left untreated, back pain can worsen and have a negative impact on your pregnancy.
What is Osteopathic Massage?
Osteopathy is a form of manual therapy that focuses on the treatment of the musculoskeletal system. This includes the bones, joints, muscles, and connective tissues. An osteopathic massage will treat the pain affecting your muscles, ligaments, spine, or joints. In comparison to other types of massage, an osteopathic massage will focus on both addressing your symptoms and treating the underlying factors that resulted in your pain and discomfort.
Using gentle physical manipulation, massaging and stretching, your osteopath will:
• Enhance your joint mobility and relieve your muscle tension
• Encourage your body to heal
• Boost blood supply to your tissues
What happens to your body during pregnancy?
When you’re pregnant, your body will adapt continuously to the changing weight and centre of gravity resulting from your growing bump. These profound structural and functional changes happen quite rapidly, and can cause aches and pains, especially in your hips and back.
Here are some of the ways your body will change during pregnancy
• Hormonal changes cause the joints to become increasingly mobile to accommodate the growing needs of your baby and to prepare for birth
• Increased water retention.
• Increase in body weight.
• Accentuated spinal curves (in particular the lumbar and cervical curve)
• Increased load in the lumbo-sacral area of your back.
• The rib cage adapts as your abdomen grows and pushes upward
Osteopathic massage during pregnancy can support the body to adapt to these changes. Osteopathic treatment has been proven to be extremely effective in easing labour.
At our Staines clinic, osteopath Radhika Madahar specialises in treating expectant and new mums to stay pain free and well throughout pregnancy and the early days of motherhood. She will work with you to develop a treatment plan that is tailored to your individual needs. Radhika will also offer advice on posture, exercises, and lifestyle changes that can help to prevent back pain from occurring in the first place.
Radhika says “Sometimes all you need is some help as a huge number of my pregnancy patients experience pain and discomfort through each trimester. Massage can be a great way to help lower back, neck and shoulder tension. I love being able to work alongside women during their pregnancy to make it a joyous and comfortable experience for them”
