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What is osteopathy for pregnancy?

Osteopathy is the alternative medicine and a form of manual therapy based on massage and manipulation of the joints. Applied in pregnancy, it focuses on the preparation for childbirth. Manual therapy takes into account all the details and changes that a pregnant woman has during this period.

Osteopaths are trained health professionals who are registered with the General Osteopathic Council. This means that osteopaths tend to have more training than other therapists such as naturopaths, and any given professional must adhere to a standard of practice. You can complain to the Council if you are not satisfied that they are practising safely.

Why is osteopathy performed during pregnancy?

This treatment is carried out to accompany the patient during pregnancy and to prepare for delivery.

During pregnancy, your body goes through significant changes placing extra stress on the muscles, bones and organs in your body. A key symptom treated by osteopaths is lower back pain, which can be greatest during a woman’s third trimester.

Other symptoms osteopaths aim to treat include:

• during the first trimester: stress, anxiety, and morning sickness.
• during the second trimester: treatment of tired legs, oedema, cramps, as well as back, dorsal and rib pain
• during the third trimester: techniques to reduce tension (lumbar, dorsal, uterine, pubic and pelvic), to relieve sciatic nerve pain, and maximize mobility of the pelvis.

Osteopaths use minimally invasive techniques in which tissues are worked with in order to avoid any risk to the mother and to the foetus.

Aftercare

After delivery, an osteopathy can provide postpartum care, which is focused on:

• recovery after childbirth
• eliminating cervical and back pain
• scar treatment from a caesarean section

Alternatives to this treatment

Osteopathy is one of many forms of manual therapy and some people may find other methods more effective for lower back pain or sciatica.

Your GP may prescribe your medication if you experience anxiety or morning sickness during your first trimester. You may also be able to treat some forms of pain during the second trimester with over-the-counter painkillers.

Throughout pregnancy it’s important to remain in close contact with your pregnancy nurse to detect any problems early on, particularly if it would lead to risks during labour.