What has happened to me?

An osteopathic overview of motherhood

The mother's body has to recover from the changes it made during the pregnancy and the trauma of delivery, all whilst having to care for a newborn baby.
The osteopath, with gentle manipulation, will support and encourage these changes to occur. They will give valuable advice on exercises to support these changes, and advise on how new parents can look after their own backs whilst caring for a child. In doing this, the osteopath will aim to prevent long term problems such as back pain, stress incontinence, period problems and headaches etc. from occurring. This will help the mother to recover and enjoy these early months.

The postural changes and strains on a new mum are often overlooked and brushed to one side. Obviously, the children come first but at some point it is important to look at you. It is really hard bringing up a family at the best of times but almost impossible when you are constantly suffering from back pain, neck pain, headaches etc.

Before the birth

Back pain, we are told, is something to expect during pregnancy. It is true that with the increased weight gain from the baby, the placenta, heavier breasts and fat stores, our postures change dramatically over a very short period of time. The hormonal changes in our bodies allow us to make these compensations effectively. However, frequently there will be stages during the pregnancy that our bodies do not "cope" as well as they could. This can lead to symptoms ranging from aching muscles, pain, sciatica and lumbago to headaches. This inability to cope with the postural changes can be for many reasons such as:

1. Pre-existing joint dysfunction.

2. The speed of the changes required and the body not being able to compensate quickly enough.

3. Misuse of the body even in ways that you might not have thought of, e.g.,
repetitive movements such as lifting a toddler inefficiently or sitting at a computer awkwardly.

After the birth

Many women, as you know, suffer with back pain, etc., after having children. Suddenly your body has to cope with the loss of the weight of the baby and the placenta. The muscles in your body have become stretched to cope with the baby and the placenta and suddenly they are gone. So you are left with "baggy" muscles. You are then required to lift a new baby plus baby equipment wherever you go. Your muscles are put under enormous strain at this stage. As your child gets bigger...and heavier, the loads you are expected to hold get more demanding.

It is very hard for most of us to naturally find time to start to gently exercise and regain the muscle strength and health needed. Unfortunately, but naturally, the first time we start to think of ourselves is when "our back goes" or our neck seizes up. Osteopathy can be very effective at this stage to help you restore your back into healthy function, or even before your back "goes". This would involve gentle treatment and advice.

The Rugby Osteopathic Centre also offers 'one to one' Pilates classes which are a fantastic way to regain your strength and body control.

Many people have now heard of cranial treatment for babies which can be very effective for colic, glue ear, sleep problems, etc., but please do not forget osteopathy for yourself as well!

If you would like any more information about osteopathy, please do not hesitate to contact the practice.

If you have any questions please E-mail us at:-
osteos@tiscali.co.uk