Skip to content
How can we help during pregnancy?
As many know, pregnancy puts a huge strain on the female body; it triggers huge postural changes which in many will cause many aches and pains.
The increasing weight over short periods of time causes the posture to adapt and spinal curves to change due to a shift in the centre of gravity- this of course changes week by week as the baby grows.
However, it is not only the musculoskeletal changes that have an effect on the body, but also the physiological ones too; hormone levels loosen and soften the soft tissue structures during the latter half of pregnancy which allows the pelvis to widen and stretch in preparation for the process of labour.
The facts..
Aches and pains during pregnancy are often considered ‘normal, however, it may be a sign that your body is struggling to adapt to these huge changes. 50% of all pregnant women suffer from some variation of lower back pain during at least one stage of their pregnancy. In addition to this, as many as 1 in 5 pregnant women suffer from PGP (pelvic girdle pain).
About us…
Here at The Hempstead Therapy Centre, we are supported by the eminent obstetrician Dr. David Penman. We are also lucky enough to have a multidisciplinary team to cover a wide variety of patients’ needs. Despite the differences of each discipline, collectively the aim (no matter the stage of pregnancy) will be to make the patient more comfortable and improve quality of life, allowing the patient to enjoy their pregnancy.
Treatment..
Manual therapy treatment is a safe and effective form of pain relief during pregnancy. Each discipline can play a fundamental role during pregnancy which we will discuss:
Physiotherapy– can use a variety of techniques in order to mobilise joints, soften and strengthen musculature.
Osteopathy– similar to Physiotherapy, uses a combination of gentle techniques in order to mobilise joints, realign and balance joints and muscles not working in synchronicity, and soften soft tissue structures. You may also be given some basic pelvic floor exercises in order to strengthen the structures in preparation for labour.
Massage– pregnancy massage can be used to relax the patient, as well as soften the muscles which may be affected.
Reflexology– used to relax the patient by balancing and unblocking energy pathways.
Treatment can be used to treat specific conditions during pregnancy, such as Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction, but it can also be used to maintain abdominal, pelvic, and postural strength throughout pregnancy.
Along with a few strengthening or stretching exercises given by our team, the aim of treatment will be to aid recovery postnatally to allow full enjoyment from the new arrival!