Pregnancy & Postpartum care

osteopathy treatment pregnant patient

Osteopathy during pregnancy

At Recovery Room Melbourne, Dr. Dani has completed further comprehensive training to ensure you are provided with evidence based, safe pregnancy care.

Assisting you with the general aches and pains of pregnancy as well as the more challenging such as pregnancy related pelvic girdle pain. We provide you with the tools you require for your birth preparation journey to help optimise your bodies ability to create space and effectively birth your baby safely. From perineal massage to birthing biomechanics, active birth techniques and pelvic floor health, we assist in providing a safe space to discuss your concerns and ensure you feel empowered to navigate this exciting time. This is also a space where your partner may wish to join you in learning all things birth and how to help you in your journey together.

Common conditions treated during pregnancy

Osteopathy may help you with a wide range of conditions and symptoms from head to toe. Some of the reasons why people may go to see their local Osteopath during pregnancy include:

  • Pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain (otherwise known as ‘PRPGP’, which includes sacroiliac joint pain and anterior pubic region pain)

  • Headaches

  • Neck and upper back tension 

  • Rib and lower back pain

  • Pelvic floor concerns around incontinence and constipation

  • Carpal tunnel

  • De Quervain’s (wrist tenosynovitis) 

Osteopathy during the postpartum period

At Recovery Room Melbourne, Dr. Dani has completed further comprehensive training to ensure you are provided with evidence based, safe postpartum care.

We provide you a safe space and time to discuss your birthing experience. This can be a time to reflect, ask questions or determine if further support and referral maybe required. We want to empower you during this postpartum period and often challenging ‘fourth trimester’ to help optimise your postpartum healing and recovery.

The body changes in order to carry your baby and in the postpartum period changes again. Osteopathic treatment can help assist in adjusting to these new changes in a safe way. Personalised education and advice on recovery is provided no matter how you birthed your baby.

As Dr.Dani has two children of her own, she understands the beauty and challenges of being a mother. She wants to provide you with the love and care that she believes all mothers need. She is passionate about creating a space where you feel welcomed and able to express concerns as well as bring your newborn and not feel rushed in an appointment.

This is why both pregnancy and postpartum appointments are longer than a standard Osteopathic consultation as there is time allocated if feeds are required, nappy changes and/or a full outfit change. To ensure comfort, there is a change table available to you.

Did you experience a c-section? Did you know you can have your scar treated from 8 weeks postnatal (as long as fully healed)? These scars can have lasting impacts on the musculoskeletal system and can lead to pain and dysfunction in the surrounding muscles and joints. Learn more here Abdominal & C-section Scar Release treatment.

breastfeeding

A clinic passionate about empowering you whilst providing a safe and supportive space to share your experiences, concerns, share a tear and have some laughs.

Our holistic approach of Osteopathy involves:

-       Considering the biopsychosocial model of health which emphasises the interconnection between biological, psychological and socio-environmental factors on an individual’s well-being and risk of illness, impacting on recovery time.

-       Providing a safe and collaborative space to promote and empower individuals to take an active role in their own health and self-care journey.

-       The clinic has space for a pram, offers a change table and has a large couch for you to make yourself comfy if you need to feed your bub or settle them with some cuddles.

What to expect during your initial Osteopathic consultation

History

Osteopaths take a comprehensive medical history about family and medical history, past injuries as well as addressing factors that could impact on your recovery including your sleep, diet, exercise, occupation, stress levels and more. We discuss your pregnancy and/or postpartum journey. We take a holistic approach to ensure we cover all areas that could impact on your healing and recovery journey.

Assessment

During the assessment, your Osteopath will go through a range of tests to help determine how to best treat and manage your condition. This may include orthopaedic testing, neurological testing, movement testing or postural assessments. This guides us about your complaint to ensure a working diagnosis is formed, a collaborative approach is then taken with you to ensure informed consent is obtained before commencing with treatment.

Treatment

Treatment can involve a variety of different hands on techniques. These include massage, joint articulations, stretching, dry needling, cupping and/or high velocity low amplitude (HVLA) manipulations. We will always ensure we explain to you our treatment plan so that you are comfortable and provide informed consent to proceed with treatment.

Note: No flame cupping is provided whilst pregnant.

Management Plan

Education and advice are one of the most important parts of an Osteopathic consult, we want you to leave the appointment feeling empowered. Management plans can include clinical rehabilitation programs, movement and postural guidance as well as support and educational advice on lifestyle, stress management and general dietary information that could influence your complaint as well as the recovery timeframe.

FAQs

  • Osteopathic care is generally considered safe during pregnancy. The techniques chosen are carefully selected to minimise risk. These techniques are gentle and the comfort of the mother is always taken into consideration and can be adapted as required.

    Please note, If your pregnancy is considered high risk, we advise you check with your general practitioner, midwife or obstetrician before booking this appointment.

  • You do not have to lay on your stomach if you choose not to. You can be treated in side lying or even seated if you prefer.

    It is however, still considered safe to lay on your belly during the early stages as long as you feel comfortable to do so.

    Here at Recovery Room Melbourne, we have a pregnancy pillow that has a cut-out in it for your growing bump, which allows you to lie face down without any discomfort and provides your body and belly the added support it requires throughout your pregnancy.

  • Perineal massage every 1-2 days is recommended from 34 weeks of pregnancy. Dr.Dani can provide assistance in understanding how to perform perineal massage safely.

  • At Recovery Room Melbourne, you can be seen as early as 4 weeks postpartum to assist with the aches and pains of the fourth trimester as well as providing the personalised information you require moving forward to assist in the healing and recovery process in the early stages as well as when you start navigating exercise and more.

  • Yes you absolutely can. This is why the appointment times are longer than a standard Osteopathic consult. It is to factor in feeds, nappy changes, outfit changes and cuddles! There is enough space in the treatment room for a pram and there is also a change table for your convenience.

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