Osteopathy is a great way to relieve neck and back pain. Life doesn’t stop just because you’re pregnant. If you sit in meetings all day and have a lot of stress it’s a great way to unwind.

As the baby grows your centre of gravity changes and this places new tension in different areas of your body.

Osteopathy can help your body adapt more easily to the postural changes that occur as your back has to work harder to keep you upright.

Making sure your pelvis has a good alignment and all the joints are moving freely is a great way to prepare for the birth process. This can enable your pelvis to be more flexible.

We generally recommend osteopathy either prior to getting pregnant and then after the first trimester.

Osteopathy is generally regarded as a safe treatment option for musculoskeletal pain or problems, although some may experience minor side effects, such as:

• mild to moderate soreness or pain in the treatment area
• headache
• fatigue

It can be harder to address some problems if the baby is putting pressure on internal structures that are causing pain, but often treatment can help releive tension and create more space for you to move more easily.

Osteopathy isn’t usually painful, although it’s not unusual to feel sore or stiff a couple of days after your treatment, particularly if you’re having treatment for a painful or inflamed injury.

Your osteopath will explain whether you’re likely to have any reactions. If you feel any pain during or after treatment, tell your osteopath.

We use sidelying treatment and gentle techniques to relieve postural tension.

Osteopath’s have very good diagnostic skills as a primary health care professional. Osteopath’s are good at knowing when a patient is safe to treat or whether they need to be referred to their GP or for further tests.

Most patients ‘self refer’ to an osteopath for treatment.

Although, referral by a GP is not necessary. Patients are encouraged to keep their medical records current by keeping their GP informed about their current state of health and any additional treatment they are having.

Osteopathy is a regulated health profession that’s distinct from nursing, medicine and pharmacy.

Regulation works in much the same way as regulation for medical doctors.

No longer are Osteopath’s regarded as “Alternative” but are recognised Allied Health Professionals via the Allied Health Professions

By law, osteopaths must be registered with the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC).

The GOsC only accepts registration from practitioners who have a qualification in osteopathy that’s recognised by the GOsC and who comply with their standards of practice.

Pregnancy massage is a great way to relax and unwind and alleviate muscular tension prior to the big day.

Osteopathy can help with pelvic strain and imbalance, we often treat patients with pubic symphysis dysfucntion, low back and neck tension.

Both treatments should leave you feeling relaxed and ready to embrace life as a mother to be.

If is always difficult to say as it depends on the person, and where you are during your pregnancy and whether you have any symptoms of pain or not. 

You can have treatment just to prepare for the birth, even if you are not in pain, you can improve function and flexibility.

Lower back pain can take up to 6 weeks to see improvement in symptoms and with postural tensions changing during pregnancy, sometimes it is a case of maintaining a situation rather than completely relieving all symptoms. 

Some patients respond really well and can recover within 2 weeks. We say that 3-6 visits often offers the best results.