Osteopathy: Alleviating Birth-Related Pain, Injuries, and Interventions

Childbirth is a profound event often accompanied by significant pain, injuries, and medical interventions. Osteopathy, a manual therapy focusing on the musculoskeletal system, has gained recognition for its potential to improve birth outcomes. There are a multitude of potential benefits that osteopathy can provide for pregnant women:

Alleviating Pregnancy-Related Discomfort

Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) can alleviate common pregnancy-related discomforts, such as lower back pain, pelvic pain, and sciatica. Lavelle (2012), in the Journal of Osteopathic Medicine, highlighted that OMT significantly reduces pain and improves mobility in pregnant women. By addressing these discomforts, osteopathy helps expectant mothers maintain better overall health, potentially leading to smoother labor and delivery​.

Reducing Labor Duration

OMT has been shown to potentially influence labor duration. Research indicates that women who receive osteopathic treatment during pregnancy often experience less pain during labor. This reduction in pain duration can decrease the need for medical interventions such as epidurals, forceps, or vacuum extractions. I

Enhancing Pelvic Function

Proper pelvic alignment and function are crucial for a smooth delivery. Osteopathic treatments focus on ensuring optimal pelvic mechanics, which can reduce the risk of complications during childbirth. Sheraton et al. (2018) in the Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies demonstrated that OMT helps maintain pelvic balance, potentially reducing the likelihood of birth injuries to both the mother and the baby​.

Reducing the Need for Interventions

By promoting better mobility and reducing stress, osteopathy can decrease the need for medical interventions during childbirth. OMT helps maintain uterine and fetal positioning, leading to fewer instances of breech births or other malpositions that often necessitate cesarean sections or other interventions. Research by Arruda Correia et al. (2024) in PLOS ONE showed that OMT positively affects maternal-fetal hemodynamics such as blood pressure and heart rate, leading to fewer medical interventions​.

Successful Birth Outcomes

Several case studies and clinical trials support the efficacy of osteopathy in improving birth outcomes. Sheraton et al. (2018) reported that women who received regular OMT during pregnancy experienced fewer complications and higher satisfaction with their birthing experience​.

Overall osteopathy offers a gentle approach to treatment that reduces pain during pregnancy and birth. It can also potentially decrease the chance of medical interventions during birth. By increasing the body’s natural ability to adapt, we can allow space for baby to grow, and decrease the intra-abdominal pressure for mom to move better throughout the day and to be more comfortable on the day of birth.

Jeff treats women who are pregnant as well as newborns in Langford, BC at Align Integrative Health.

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References

1. Lavelle, J. (2012). Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment in Pregnant Women. Journal of Osteopathic Medicine, 112(6), 343-346. https://doi.org/10.7556/jaoa.2012.112.6.343

2. Sheraton, A., Streckfuss, J., & Grace, S. (2018). Experiences of pregnant women receiving osteopathic care. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 22(2), 321–327. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbmt.2017.09.007

3. Arruda Correia, M. L., Peixoto Filho, F. M., Gomes Júnior, S. C., & de Jesus, G. R. (2024). Effects of osteopathic manipulative treatment on maternal-fetal hemodynamics in third trimester pregnant women: A prospective study. PLOS ONE, 19(3), e0300514. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0300514

Pelvic Floor Dysfunction healing | Osteopath Victoria, BC

Pelvic floor dysfunction is a common yet often misunderstood condition that can significantly impact one's quality of life. From urinary incontinence to pelvic pain and sexual dysfunction, the symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction can vary widely, affecting people of all ages and backgrounds. Mainstream knowledge of this is growing thanks to pelvic floor physiotherapy but that is not the only thing you can do for your pelvic floor health. In Langford, BC there are pelvic floor physiotherapists whose patients could experience even better result when combined with Osteopathic Manual Therapy. In this guide, we'll explore what pelvic floor dysfunction entails and how Osteopathy offers a holistic approach to restoring balance and function to this vital area of the body.

The pelvic floor is a complex network of muscles, ligaments, and connective tissues that support the bladder, uterus, and rectum. Dysfunction in this area can occur due to a variety of factors, including childbirth, trauma, chronic stress, or musculoskeletal imbalances. Common symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction include:

• Urinary incontinence: The involuntary leakage of urine.

• Pelvic pain: Discomfort or pain in the pelvic region.

• Sexual dysfunction: Difficulty with sexual function or pain during intercourse.

• Bowel issues: Difficulty with bowel movements or fecal incontinence.

How Osteopathy Can Help?:

Osteopathy offers a holistic approach to pelvic floor dysfunction, addressing not only the symptoms but also the underlying causes of the condition. Osteopathic manual practitioners are trained to assess the musculoskeletal system as a whole, including the pelvic region. Through gentle manual techniques, they aim to:

1. Restore muscle balance and function: Osteopathic manipulation can help release tension and tightness in the pelvic floor muscles, promoting better muscle coordination and function.

2. Improve pelvic alignment: Misalignments in the pelvis can contribute to pelvic floor dysfunction. Osteopathic adjustments can help realign the pelvis and reduce strain on the surrounding structures. An example of this would be an upslip of the innominate (iliac), more info on that can be found in one of our earlier blog posts linked here.

3. Enhance circulation and nerve function: Osteopathic techniques can improve blood flow and nerve signaling to the pelvic area, supporting the body's natural healing processes.

4. Address related issues: Osteopathy takes a comprehensive approach to health, considering how other factors such as posture, digestion, and stress may contribute to pelvic floor dysfunction. Osteopathic treatment may include lifestyle recommendations and exercises to address these issues.

Experience the Benefits of Osteopathy: If you're struggling with pelvic floor dysfunction, Osteopathy offers a gentle and effective approach to restoring balance and function to your pelvic region. Whether you're dealing with urinary issues, pelvic pain, or sexual dysfunction, Osteopathic manual treatment can provide relief and support your journey to wellness.

At Align Integrative Health, our experienced Osteopathic manual practitioners are dedicated to helping you achieve optimal pelvic floor health. Let Osteopathy empower you to live life to the fullest, free from the constraints of pelvic floor dysfunction.

References:

Osteopathic treatment of women suffering from urinary incontinence following an injury to the perineum during delivery: A randomized controlled trial

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