Osteopathy During Pregnancy

How does Osteopathy help during pregnancy ?

Your posture and body shape changes during pregnancy to adapt to the growing size and weight of the uterus. Previous injuries, accidents, postural strains from work can make it more difficult for your body to adapt to these changes. Your body’s ligaments soften during pregnancy as a result of certain hormones so the pelvic bones can allow the baby to pass through. This can mean the rest of the body is more vulnerable to strain as the baby grows. This may cause backache, neckache, heartburn, breathing and digestion difficulties, nausea and vomiting, aching legs, varicose veins, haemorrhoids and fatigue.

Osteopathy can help during and after pregnancy by:

  • relieving the symptoms mentioned above
  • preparing the body for the demands of labour
  • helping the mother to recover after the birth

Is osteopathy safe during pregnancy?

Osteopaths undergo a minimum of four years training, including an intensive obstetric and paediatric course. Osteopathy is safe at any time during pregnancy

How does osteopathy help post-natally?

Birth can be traumatic for both mother and baby. After giving birth the mother’s body needs to recover from the changes of pregnancy and the effects of the delivery and/or surgery, however, the demands of caring for a new baby, such as lifting, carrying on one hip, reaching into a cot and feeding in uncompromising positions, make recovery more complicated. Unresolved stresses can contribute to problems with periods, digestion, headache, backache and urinary difficulties, and even to post-natal depression. Osteopathy can help the mother return to normal after the physical and emotional upheaval by releasing the strains endured from both labour and pregnancy, making it easier to enjoy her new baby.

Karl J Turner BSc (HONS) Ost Med

Karl J Turner BSc (HONS) Ost Med has been working for 12 years as an Osteopath/Cranial osteopath (8 years at Cheltenham Holistic Health Centre), prior to which he worked as an auxillary nurse. He studied osteopathic medicine, which means he is trained to use osteopathy to treat chest, ear and throat infections and difficulties with breathing and digestion as well as aches, pains and injuries.

Karl has an interest in helping relieve the strains of pregnancy and labour, as well as complications of delivery using a mix of both cranial and structural osteopathy.

Joanna Pooley

Joanna Pooley is a structural osteopath, graduating from BSO. She has six years experience of sports therapy and rehabilitation, specialising in post operative programming. This includes appropriate individual training advice and exercise prescription to enhance manual treatment.

She also has qualifications in nutrition and sports massage, working with International Rugby teams and the London Marathon Runners.