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michelle@hancockosteopathy.co.uk

Pregnancy Related Aches and Pains

I see lots of pregnant woman who suffer from general aches and pains during their pregnancy and after. In particular, the pelvis, back and neck, are all common areas of compliant during pregnancy, and but also after delivery, with emotional and physical stress, strain from carrying, breast and bottle-feeding positions not to mention the physiological and hormonal changes!

A lot of changes occur during and after pregnancy which cause your body to adapt quickly sometimes resulting temporary or longer lasting, unwelcome symptoms. Common changes may vary from;

● the increased weight of the baby bump and breast tissue altering the way the body balances in different positions can cause stress and strain on the body

● increased pressure (through weight and posture change) on the spine, pelvis and lower extremities causes fatigue and effects circulation

● increased ligament laxity during pregnancy and breast feeding can leave you slightly more susceptible to aches and pains

● changes in hormone levels may noticeably affect the body’s tissues, along with normal physiological processes, circulation and muscular tension

Following child birth, your body takes time to recover back to your best function and comfort. This is normal, but varies in all women and while some may find that they can get back to a sense of well-being and normal functioning after a matter of weeks, some find they need a little more help and advice to get them back under way. There are many health care practitioners who can provide you with additional support during pregnancy and post-partum.

Osteopathy can help to alleviate the musculoskeletal aches and pains associated with pregnancy and labour, as well as provide advice to help you to find ways of improving your comfort and completing day to day tasks. Osteopathic treatment is widely used during pregnancy and is deemed a very safe option of hands on care, treatment is very gentle and adjusted to help give you relief and care while carrying.

Some examples of specific problem areas I’ve encountered with patients during and after their pregnancy are; low back pain, pelvic pain, sacroiliac pain and hip pain, and occasionally, just a need lay comfortably supported on the plinth and experience a very relaxing treatment to reduce aches and pains in the back, neck and shoulders- a very well deserved treatment!