OSTEOPATHY AUCKLAND
Treating mums and babies with gentle hands-on Osteopathy
Focusing on the musculoskeletal health of women and children from pregnancy through to postpartum
Becoming a parent is an incredible journey, and we often get the honour of helping expecting and new mums through all the remarkable changes their bodies go through during and after pregnancy. We provide osteopathic care tailored for women, babies, and children, with a particular emphasis on addressing musculoskeletal issues during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Your well-being, peace of mind, and comfort are always prioritised in our treatments. We are dedicated to supporting women, babies, and children dealing with any musculoskeletal discomfort.
How can Osteopathy help during pregnancy?
During pregnancy, a woman's body undergoes significant changes to accommodate the growing baby, which can lead to discomfort, pain, and mobility issues. These changes include physical, hormonal, and emotional adjustments, all of which can manifest in the musculoskeletal system. Osteopathy offers a holistic approach to managing these changes, with techniques tailored to pregnant women's needs. Osteopathy can help alleviate pain and discomfort commonly associated with pregnancy such as back pain, pelvic pain and sciatica. Osteopathy can help improve pelvic girdle function through techniques designed to balance pelvic muscles and ligaments. Osteopathy can also help enhance circulation reducing swelling (oedema) in the legs and feet, a common issue during pregnancy.
How can Osteopathy benefit baby?
Osteopathy's holistic approach benefits and supports the health and well-being of infants. In babies, osteopathy is often used to address conditions related to birth trauma, feeding difficulties, colic, and sleep disturbances. Whether natural or via cesarean section, the birthing process can impose significant stress on a baby's body, potentially leading to musculoskeletal imbalances. Osteopathy can be used to release and realign these imbalances gently which can also help improve the quality and duration of a baby's sleep. Osteopathy can also help alleviate digestive issues such as colic, reflux, and constipation in infants through gentle techniques to the abdomen, diaphragm, and thoracic spine. If you haven't yet had your baby evaluated and you're concerned, please bring them to us. No child is too young or too old for our care.
Postpartum care supporting mum
Osteopathy offers significant benefits for mothers in the postpartum period. While this period is joyful, it can also be physically and emotionally challenging for new mothers as they recover from childbirth and adjust to the demands of caring for a newborn. Osteopathy can help support musculoskeletal recovery, particularly strains in the pelvis, back, and abdomen from childbirth. Pelvic pain and back pain are common complaints during the postpartum period. Osteopathy can help restore pelvic alignment and relieve back discomfort, significantly improving a mother's ability to perform daily activities and care for her baby. The relaxation and stress relief provided by osteopathic treatments can contribute to improved mood and emotional health. Osteopathic treatment can also help reduce scar tissue formation, improve tissue healing, and alleviate discomfort around the incision site following a cesarean section. The demands of nursing and caring for a newborn can lead to postural changes and associated discomfort. Osteopathy can help to improve posture and breathing mechanics, thereby reducing the risk of developing chronic pain conditions.
Acupuncture and pregnancy
Acupuncture is a great tool that can be utilised throughout pregnancy. Morning sickness, characterized by nausea and vomiting, is common in early pregnancy. Acupuncture, particularly at the pericardium 6 (PC6) acupuncture point on the wrist, has been shown to reduce the severity of these symptoms. As the pregnancy progresses, the additional weight can lead to pelvic and lower back pain. Acupuncture has been identified as an effective method for managing these types of pain without the need for pharmaceutical interventions, which are often limited during pregnancy. Many pregnant women experience sleep disturbances, often due to discomfort, stress, or hormonal changes. Acupuncture can contribute to improved sleep quality by promoting relaxation and alleviating discomfort. Pregnancy can be an emotionally turbulent time, with heightened risks of anxiety and depression. Acupuncture has been proposed to regulate mood by influencing the release of neurotransmitters.
