Bringing a baby into this world is a different experience for every person. Whether that process was natural and magical or a sudden surgery and not at all what was expected, the body has had some huge forces placed upon it. If corrected soon after the birth process, these corrections can have positive long reaching effects. During pregnancy your body releases the hormone relaxin, causing the ligaments to relax, allowing the bones of the pelvis to shift every so slightly preparing your body for delivery. This increased mobility and laxity can cause back pain during pregnancy and can continue afterwards if this shift is not corrected. These changes can become much harder to remove if left too long after delivery as relaxin will not be released for an extended length after the pregnancy concludes. The ligaments then tighten, holding the bones firmly in their altered location. This can result in intermittent to constant lower back pain. During the babies travel down the birth canal, they pass right in front of the mother’s sacrum. In some cases, either due to failure to progress, or other difficulties, the sacrum can be “dragged” downward toward the mother’s feet. Because there is an anatomical connection (via the dura) with the cranium (the head), this can cause headaches or neck tension/pain during or after the delivery. This can also be positively influenced with an osteopathic treatment. Osteopathy can benefit all mothers after pregnancy and delivery and is very supportive in helping the body recover and restore after a great time of change. All aspects of post partum including C-section scars, post partum depression, aches and pains that were not there prior to pregnancy…can benefit from Osteopathic care. My goal is for you to feel comfortable and relaxed when you arrive for your treatment. Here is what you can expect for your first visit: The initial appointment is approx. 50 minutes. It includes a thorough, confidential health history, an assessment, and treatment. Please bring or wear comfortable non-restrictive clothing to allow free range of motion. Palpation, observation, and motion testing will be used in order to find asymmetries, restrictions in motion, tissue tension, and/or sensorial changes within the body. The assessment and treatment incorporate the whole-body head to toe, as all parts function together in an integrated system. |