Osteopathy and Pregnancy
During pregnancy, the woman’s body needs to make a series of changes in order to ensure the comfort of your baby, in womb and during delivery. Osteopathy may have multiple benefits, including preventing and treating discomforts produced by these natural changes and maintaining or restoring your well-being not only physically, but also mentally and emotionally. Manual Osteopathic techniques associated to the wise experience of a midwife can make your pregnancy a lovely period. Because this, is what it is supposed to be!
Some benefits of Osteopathic Treatments during pregnancy
• Osteopathy through gentle stretching and delicate movement of joints can be effective on the common low back pain symptom that affect between 45% and 90% of woman during their pregnancy.
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Improvement on the biomechanical aspect of the woman’s body may help to improve Gastro-Intestinal discomforts such as heartburn or constipation.
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Osteopathy during pregnancy could improve circulation and drainage of the vascular and lymphatic system, which reduces oedema, varicose veins, cramps and tired legs.
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It may improve respiratory capacity with a diaphragm treatment.
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It could relieve inguinal pain.
Benefits of osteopathy for childbirth
Osteopathic Treatment helps giving good mobility and a good structural balance to the neuro-musculoskeletal components of lumbopelvic anatomy. This will make the woman’s body ready for the physiological stress of the labour. A study reported positive outcomes in prenatal osteopathic care such as the diminished occurrence of
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meconium (stained amniotic fluid)
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preterm delivery
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use of forceps
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caesarean delivery
What the research says
The physiological effects of pregnancy on the musculoskeletal system are well documented in scientific literature. Hormones such as relaxin and progesterone play a key role in the adaptation of a woman’s body during pregnancy. The pelvic girdle pain seems to be caused by altered pelvic joint mechanics and/or altered muscle motor control in pelvic movements.
Exercise and physical activity can improve pain and disability (e.g. stiffness and moving). NICE guidelines reported that regular exercise (before and during pregnancy) contribute to significant benefits for pregnant women including improving physical fitness, reducing the risk of excessive with gain, reduces risk of pre-eclampsia (high blood pressure), improving sleep, reducing anxiety and depression and reduces the risk of low back pain.
The aim of gestational osteopathy is to reduce the typical discomfort of pregnancy, improve women’s mobility and posture. This can be achieved by a combination of advice, exercise guidance, reassurance and a safe, gentle and pleasant hands-on approach.
Interesting research papers about Osteopathy and Pregnancy:
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Franke, H., Franke, J. D., Belz, S., & Fryer, G. (2017). Osteopathic manipulative treatment for low back and pelvic girdle pain during and after pregnancy: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of bodywork and movement therapies, 21(4), 752-762.
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Licciardone, J. C., Buchanan, S., Hensel, K. L., King, H. H., Fulda, K. G., & Stoll, S. T. (2010). Osteopathic manipulative treatment of back pain and related symptoms during pregnancy: a randomized controlled trial. American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, 202(1), 43-e1.
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Lavelle, J. M. (2012). Osteopathic manipulative treatment in pregnant women. The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association, 112(6), 343-346.
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King, H. H., Tettambel, M. A., Lockwood, M. D., Johnson, K. H., Arsenault, D. A., & Quist, R. (2003). Osteopathic manipulative treatment in prenatal care: a retrospective case control design study. The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association, 103(12), 577-582.
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NICE Guidelines Antenatal care for uncomplicated pregnancies http://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg62
