What is osteopathy
Heard of osteopathy but still not been entirely sure as
to what it is, or how it helps? Osteopaths Kristi Milliken and
Royden McWha explain the benefits it offers to pregnant women,
post-partum mothers, and even newborn babies.
The fundamental principle of osteopathy is to use a
hands-on approach to diagnosis and treatment, focusing especially
on areas distant to the pain site that may be causing the pain or
influential in recovery. Osteopaths have a holistic approach to
each individual patient and their specific body needs, so that
similar "lower back pains", for example, may be treated very
differently in each patient in order to recover. Osteopathy really
involves thinking outside the box in order to get patients better -
we are all different, so it stands to reason that doing the same
treatment for each person simply won't work.
Osteopaths will use a variety of
techniques to work with the body to achieve pain resolution and
improve how the body functions overall, thereby working towards
greater health and less risk of recurrence of the same issue. It is
important to remember that osteopathy is not an alternative to
medical treatment; instead, it works well alongside medicine as a
complementary healthcare approach.
How osteopathy can benefit pregnant women, babies, and
post-partum mums
A woman's body undergoes significant postural changes during
pregnancy. Osteopathy can help alleviate some of the
discomforts caused by weight gain and postural adaptations, as
well as injuries, using gentle and safe techniques to support
mum and baby throughout pregnancy.
Osteopathic support during pregnancy may
help to reduce back and pelvic pain, sciatica, heartburn, muscular
tension, and many of the other "joys" of being pregnant.
Osteopathic treatment can also help improve flexibility, thereby
reducing the likelihood of injuries, as well as helping to align
the pelvis bones for optimal expansion during labour and delivery.
It makes sense for your pelvis to be as flexible, adaptable, and
strong as possible for the task ahead! Your osteopath is also
likely to give advice regarding breathing techniques, stretches,
and exercises you can do throughout pregnancy to help with your
delivery and encourage your health and wellbeing.
Osteopathic treatment can be very
successful for women with Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (SPD), a
painful and often debilitating condition that can go on to
affect birthing options and post-natal recovery. Pain and
tenderness is usually felt over the front of the pelvis, at times
extending into the groin, lower back, and abdomen, and is
exacerbated by walking or weight-bearing on one leg (such as when
climbing stairs) and moving legs apart (such as when getting out of
bed and giving birth). When the symphysis pubis joint starts to
soften and widen in response to pregnancy, this can sometimes cause
SPD symptoms. It can respond well to exercises and external
supports such as pelvic support belts; however, there are many
other causes of SPD that are not relieved in this way, and
osteopathy often has good results in these situations. There are
many physical factors that affect the function of the SP, including
the joints of the pelvis and the muscles of the leg and abdomen
that attach onto the symphysis itself. If there are uneven tensions
or strains in these structures, this may result in tension and pain
through the front of the pelvis and is usually referred to as SPD.
These causes of SPD usually won't respond to external supports, as
there is unlikely to be a separation issue at the symphysis;
however, they often respond very well to osteopathic treatment to
the surrounding structures to allow freedom of movement in the
pelvis. This is a rewarding area to help women with, as
well-resolved SPD can allow women to enjoy the remainder of their
pregnancy without that level of pelvis discomfort, and doesn't need
to be influential in her birth plan.
After the baby is born, osteopathy
is a wonderful natural option for recovery for both mum and
baby. While it is natural for babies to come out, it isn't
necessarily easy or without consequence! Following a vaginal
delivery, we recommend mums have osteopathic treatment to ensure
their pelvis has returned to normal alignment, with balanced
muscular tension in the supporting areas. Sometimes during labour
and delivery, a mother puts uneven force through her legs, and can
end up with strains through the pelvis and lower back. A
well-aligned pelvis gives the muscles of the pelvic floor the
best chance possible at healing.
Osteopaths also see great results with
women who are having difficulties with breastfeeding. While many
reasons for breastfeeding difficulties are best addressed through
your midwife or lactation consultant, physical discomfort through
the upper back and neck, or the abdomen as it returns to
pre-pregnancy state, can make it uncomfortable for mothers to
breastfeed for long periods. Tightness through the upper chest and
front of the shoulders is often residual from pregnancy posture or
the efforts of labour, and can reduce the drainage ability of the
breast, potentially contributing to engorgement and mastitis.
Osteopathy is a great, gentle treatment option.
Many parents look for non-pharmaceutical
options for their children, and have a genuine interest in their
child being well, rather than simply "not sick". People are often
surprised to learn that osteopathy may help babies recover from
their birthing journey, and have influence on ailments that can be
present in infancy and childhood. Birthing is a very physical
process for baby and even a straight-forward vaginal birth can
sometimes cause physical strain patterns. It is not unusual for
birth to leave its mark on the baby, and many parents have observed
differences in their baby's head shape, or preferences to
turning head one way. Less visibly obvious are strains that
may have occurred in the shoulders, body, abdomen and limbs, which
may affect the function of the body or baby's comfort. Babies are
often brought for osteopathic treatment for help with irritability,
symptoms of colic and reflux, difficulty turning head one
direction, flat head, suckling and latching difficulties.
Osteopathy in itself is not a cure for conditions such as colic;
however, when physical strains are found in a baby, especially
though the back and neck, osteopathic treatment often seems to make
baby more comfortable and significantly reduces their irritability
and prolonged crying. Babies that are unable to turn their head in
both directions often have difficulties breastfeeding because of
their discomfort in certain positions, which can lead to increased
windiness and colic-like symptom
s if baby ends
up under-feeding or over-feeding and guzzling air. They are often
uncomfortable lying down and prefer to be carried, and when asleep
on their back can develop flat head on the side of their neck
rotation preferences. Osteopathy is very effective here, with
gentle techniques to remove the tension in the tissues that may be
causing discomfort. It is never too early to bring a child for
treatment, and it appears the longer a significant physical strain
is left, the more compensatory physical adaptations the baby makes,
potentially leading to further physical issues later and a more
lengthy treatment process for good resolution.
How to find an osteopath
Osteopaths are regulated by the Osteopathic Council of New Zealand,
and are required to have completed the Masters of Osteopathy and
Bachelors Applied Science in Human Biology from Unitec New Zealand,
or internationally equivalent training to be eligible for practice
in New Zealand. This register is available online. Most osteopaths
will advertise through avenues such as Yellow Pages, but as with
many situations, you can't look past the recommendation of someone
who has received successful treatment from a particular
practice.
What do potential patients need to know
about?
One of the biggest surprises for a lot of patients is the
amount of information an osteopath gathers during the consultation.
In order to understand the particular issue for the patient and how
best to treat it, the osteopath will ask a number of questions
about past injuries, medical conditions, concurrent treatments,
medications etc. You may also be asked to remove some clothing for
the osteopath to check your joint movements and
alignment.
Any warnings/cautions
Nearly all physical complaints are suitable for some kind of
osteopathic treatment, and even very serious injuries or medical
conditions can benefit alongside medical management. Osteopaths
complete a lengthy five-year tertiary training to give them
the diagnostic skills to know if and when a particular patient
or condition is not suitable for treatment, and the osteopath can
then refer someone directly to a doctor, specialist, or for X-rays.
As with any health professional, if you do not feel comfortable for
any reason, or are not happy with your progress, seek help from
another osteopath or health professional and try again until you
find the right person for you.
For further information
www.osteopathiccouncil.org.nz
www.osnz.org
Royden McWha and Kristi Milliken run Kingsland Osteopaths, a
family-friendly practice with a team of experienced and passionate
osteopaths who all have special interest in obstetrics and
paediatrics. Our practice is buggy-friendly, with late night and
Saturday appointments. Learn more about how osteopathy can help you
at www.kingslandosteopaths.co.nz
As seen in OHbaby!
magazine Issue 12: 2011
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