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Osteopathic Manual Treatment for newborn babies at City Osteopaths. By Dr Giulia Buczkowsky, Reg Osteopath.

4/28/2022

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The wellbeing of newborn babies is important not only to caring parents, but to the whole of New Zealand, as healthy babies become healthy children and have the best start in life.

At City Osteopaths, our practitioners are skilled in supporting families during the initial phases of the baby’s life, enhancing this magical and peaceful pathway.

Through an osteopathic consultation focusing on the pregnancy and labour history and a gentle physical examination of the baby, we can help provide an optimal experience for parents and babies. 

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  • What is Osteopathic Manual Treatment (OMT) for newborns?

OMT for newborns involves direct and indirect very gentle hands-on techniques to relieve the strains from in the womb or the birth process, assisting normal tissue function. OMT works on the strains that can affect the bones, fascia and body fluids. 

OMT is able to increase blood flow, improving nutrient supply and removing waste products and dead cells. 

In particular, osteopathy in the cranial field focuses on feeling the collective rhythms of the cyclic movements of the body functions. Cranial practitioners are able to treat and influence this rhythm to improve head posture and also help restore the important movements of the soft cranial bones.

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The potential applications of OMT to paediatrics are many and extend to areas other than musculoskeletal problems:
  • Assist in the management of sucking dysfunctions, breastfeeding difficulties and tongue tie;
  • Provide effective treatment for recurrent otitis media;
  • Reduce gastrointestinal problems, such as colic and reflux;
  • Improve skull symmetry, when affected by plagiocephaly;
  • Reduction of neck strain or torticollis;
  • Works as a complementary therapy for cerebral palsy and attention deficit disorder;
  • Supportive treatment for clubfoot management



Osteopathic manual treatment and sucking dysfunctions

Breastfeeding is one of the most unique experiences for a new mum. However, recent studies (Herzhaft-Le Roy, Xhignesse and Gaboury, 2016) have shown that half the new mothers stop breastfeeding due to biomechanical issues with the baby.

Our osteopaths carefully identify the restrictions in the baby’s skull sutures and their potential effect on the hypoglossal nerve which is essential for tongue movements and the sucking process. We can treat the tongue itself to help with improving function. 
At City Osteopaths we also promote structural techniques for the neck and jaw muscles that can be tight after a difficult and long labour,  which can result in a lack of jaw and neck mobility during the feeding. We work alongside lactation consultants to achieve the optimal results for you and your baby.

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Osteopathic manual treatment and otitis media

Otitis media or middle ear infection is a common paediatric issue. This is because the child’s Eustachian tube, which connects the middle ear to the throat, is more horizontal than the one in adults and this reduces drainage and increases the possibility of having congestion in the middle ear which can lead to an environment where bacteria thrive and can cause a painful infection.

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Since the 2000s, due to concern over antibiotic resistance, complementary medicine and in particular, osteopathic treatment, have also been shown to be effective in preventing speech, language and learning problems (Steele et al., 2014).

At City Osteopaths, our practitioners are able to apply multiple gentle techniques to improve the drainage from the Eustachian tube and from the venous sinuses, in order to more quickly resolve the otitis media and decrease the incidence of further episodes.

Osteopathic manual treatment and gastrointestinal symptoms

Infantile colic is a leading cause of prolonged baby crying. It occurs in 4 out of 10 young infants.

To reduce gastrointestinal symptoms such as reflux and colic, our paediatric osteopaths are trained to work to assist the vagus nerve, which helps manage the functions of the digestive tract. Due to the position of the baby in the womb and during the birth process, the vagus nerve may be compromised, resulting in an increase in digestive contractions and irritability. At City Osteopaths we utilise cranial osteopathy to treat the specific cranial dysfunctions and suture tensions, which can compress the vagus nerve, helping to restore healthy functioning, to your young child's digestive tract (Castejón-Castejón et al., 2019).

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In addition, we are able to support parents’ concerns by giving appropriate advice and helping the baby’s immune system with specific supplements. 




Osteopathic manual treatment and positional plagiocephaly

Around 50% of babies present with head shape deformities. It is a common concern for new parents.

Positional plagiocephaly is a clinical condition that refers to a newborn with a flattening of a portion of the head (usually the occipital skull bone) and consequent swelling of another portion of the head, resulting in a parallelogram-shaped head. 
The cause can be found in mechanical strains such as traction or compression acquired during the intrauterine life, during childbirth or suboptimal positioning of the head after birth. 

Early treatment in this stage is highly recommended in order to decrease the possibility of developing postural and musculoskeletal compensations (possible scoliosis, or leg length discrepancy), visual and ophthalmic alterations and jaw disorders (Filisetti, Cattarelli and Bonomi, 2020).

According to evidence-based articles (Lessard, Gagnon and Trottier, 2011), cranial osteopathic practitioners utilise a variety of osteopathic cranial techniques to decompress the skull sutures and myofascial soft tissue massage in order to normalise the forces and the tension of the membranes in the head and improve the soft tissue remodelling.  
In addition, our pediatric practitioners are experienced in providing parental education and guidance to assist recovery.

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If you have any questions you can call our practice on (04) 499 1439 to leave a message and I will call you back, alternatively contact me by email at giulia@cityosteopaths.co.nz.

Hope to see you soon in the practice!

Dr Giulia Buczkowsky 
DO M.Ost
Reg. Osteopath
www.cityosteopaths.co.nz 




Bibliography: 
  • Castejón-Castejón, M., Murcia-González, M. A., Martínez Gil, J. L., Todri, J., Suarez Rancel, M., Lena, O. and Chillón-Martínez, R. (2019) ‘Effectiveness of craniosacral therapy in the treatment of infantile colic. A randomized controlled trial’, Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 47.
  • Cerritelli, F., Martelli, M., Renzetti, C., Pizzolorusso, G., Cozzolino, V. and Barlafante, G. (2014) ‘Introducing an osteopathic approach into neonatology ward: the NE-O model’, Chiropr Man Therap, 22(18), pp. 1-10.
  • Filisetti, M., Cattarelli, D. and Bonomi, S. (2020) ‘Positional plagiocephaly from structure to function: Clinical experience of the service of pediatric osteopathy in Italy’, Early Hum Dev, 146.
  • Hayden, C. (2010) ‘Cranial osteopathy for infants, children and adolescents: A practical handbook’, International Journal of Osteopathic Medicine, 13(2), 79.
  • Herzhaft-Le Roy, J., Xhignesse, M. and Gaboury, I. (2016) ‘Efficacy of an Osteopathic Treatment Coupled With Lactation Consultations for Infants - Biomechanical Sucking Difficulties’, Journal of Human Lactation, 33(1), pp. 165-172. 
  • Lessard, S., Gagnon, I. and Trottier, N. (2011) ‘Exploring the impact of osteopathic treatment on cranial asymmetries associated with nonsynostotic plagiocephaly in infants’, Complement Ther Clin Pract, 17(4), pp. 193-198. 
  • Mills, M. V. (2021) ‘The use of osteopathic manipulative treatment in the newborn nursery and its effect on health in the first six months of life: A retrospective observational case-control study’, Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 43, pp. 1-7.
  • Steele, K.M., Carreiro, J.E., Viola, J.H., Conte, J.A. and Ridpath, L.C. (2014) ‘Effect of osteopathic manipulative treatment on middle ear effusion following acute otitis media in young children: a pilot study’, J Am Osteopath Assoc, 114(6), pp. 436-47. ​
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When can a soother/pacifier/dummy be a good thing for a new baby?

4/19/2020

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Parents are often scared away from using a soother with their baby, due to images of seeing a toddler with the plug stoppering their mouth when they are out and about each day. They have concerns it is silencing the child, plus damaging their dentition (how their teeth are aligned) along with getting disapproving looks from well meaning adults around them. Using a soother from a young age may reduce the amount of milk a baby takes in each day and affect the amount of nutrition they receive right at the time they are growing the fastest.

These are all valid concerns. 

However, every baby is unique.
​

If you have a baby who is feeding well and gaining impressive weight each week, but is quite upset and spilling milk after each feed, they may benefit from a soother in the first few months. New mums are often concerned about milk supply and a baby latching well and sucking sure brings on more milk. Some mum’s have an excess of supply and a strong flow, so that when the baby suckles they receive a large amount of milk in a relatively short time. 


Combine an excess milk supply with a baby who really needs to suck to provide themselves comfort and you may have a problem which can be overlooked.
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Why do some babies need to suck to provide comfort?

Sucking helps allow the milk to move down through the digestion process, by stimulating the flow of saliva and downward contractions of the tube to the stomach. It also increases the rate of stomach emptying. This is helpful if your baby might have symptoms of acid reflux.

Some babies have a sore head and/or neck from birth - maybe caused by a long labour, especially if they get stuck for a while, the cervix is slow to open and the baby’s head can get affected/compressed in the birth canal. Then forceps or ventouse (suction) may be required to help the baby reposition and assist them out of the birth canal. This situation is much more common in first time mums and their babies.

Osteopathically what we may see is a baby with a headache. Of course the new baby is unable to tell us they have a headache, except by crying and being less settled than expected. This can be hard work for parents and they can feel upset that they are unable to provide comfort to their baby.
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How do we know the baby has a headache?  

Experienced paediatric osteopaths palpate thousands of heads each year, in all ages. We observe the child who is four years old and able to point to an area of their head and say it hurts, the two year old who may be able to put a hand on their forehead and give a tired look. This gives us clues as to what a headache feels like to palpate (= sensitive listening touch) with our trained hands, in a non-verbal baby or child. Using our hands very gently we are able to palpate the strains in the membranes that surround the bones of the head in all ages and diagnose and very gently treat those strains, utilising the body’s self healing mechanism.

Without gentle osteopathic care, what is the baby with a headache going to do? They will want to suck more often as pressure on the hard palate, the roof of their mouth, can help (via the vertical vomer bone), to relieve the tightness in the membranes around the sphenoid bone, which sits across the front of the head, right behind the eyes.

If this situation of a sore head and excess sucking is combined with a mum with lots of milk, the baby may get so much milk that they will start vomiting up the excess. They want to suck to get pain relief, but don’t actually need extra milk. Then the use of a finger, turned upwards so the soft pad is available for the roof of the baby's mouth, will certainly help. Of course, parents do need a rest or to be hands free from the baby at times, so they can eat or have a shower. This is when the soother can be a helpful tool.

Research shows that babies under the age of 4-6 months are not able to be sleep trained, their nervous system is not able to form the memories required, so in the early months, I recommend parents do whatever they can to help their new baby’s nervous system be calm and happy. Babies need cuddles, milk and sleep, lots of it. You may have heard of the ‘fourth trimester’ - the stage where your baby would still be in your uterus if they could be, however they would be getting too big for the mum to move around or to birth. So instead, as parents you need to provide the snuggles, jiggles, warmth and a variety of white noises just like they would have had in your uterus, so your baby can be really relaxed and get enough sleep. ​
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Newborns generally need to sleep 16-20 hours in a 24 hour period. 

This fourth trimester is also where the soother can come in for some babies. If they seem happier and it helps them stop spilling milk, you can use the soother without any feelings of guilt. It won't affect their dentition at this age, they won't be a toddler with a soother in their mouth all day long, as you can get rid of the soother around the 4-6 months period. Each baby is individual in this regard and you will hopefully get an indication that they don’t need the soother as much - they may start to refuse it, they may spit it out at night and then want you to find it and put it back in. That would be a good time to remove it altogether. As your baby grows bigger and their digestive system develops, they will manage any excess milk better and will be able to learn to soothe themselves for their sleep.

I will also mention that sometimes paediatric osteopaths see toddlers or preschoolers who really want and need the soother due to tightness or pain in their head. I have heard mothers say they feel very guilty about letting the child have the soother at this older age, so they take the soother away, or only allow it in the cot or bed. However, if that young child actually needs the soother to help their head feel better, then it’s kind and necessary to let them have it as a temporary measure. Once a paediatric osteopath gently treats the toddler a few times and the strains in their head ease, they will no longer get the headaches, nor need the soother. The child is able to grow without head pain, their dentition can be helped back to normal, there is no more stigma of having a soother as an older child and everyone is happier.

References:
1) Breastfeeding Patterns in Relation to Thumb Sucking and Pacifier Use
Clara Aarts, Agneta Hörnell, Elisabeth Kylberg, Yngve Hofvander and Mehari Gebre-Medhin
Pediatrics October 1999, 104 (4) e50; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.104.4.e50
2) The relatively short duration that a child retains a pacifier in the mouth during sleep: SIDS implications
Weiss, Peter P W; Kerbl, Reinhold.European Journal of Pediatrics; Berlin Vol. 160, Iss. 1,  (Jan 2001): 60. DOI:10.1007/s004310000638
3) Recommendations for the use of pacifiers 
M Ponti, Canadian Paediatric Society, Community Paediatrics Committee
Paediatrics & Child Health, Volume 8, Issue 8, October 2003, Pages 515–519, https://doi.org/10.1093/pch/8.8.515
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​Melanie Young
B.A., BSc.(Clin Sc.) B.Osteo Sc. MONZ
Reg Osteopath
​Director City Osteopaths
Wellington
​New Zealand

​Phone 04 4991439

http://www.cityosteopaths.co.nz

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Gentle Osteopathic Treatment of new born babies at City Osteopaths

9/24/2017

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Registered Osteopath Aydan Hajyeva treating a new born baby.
Over the past twenty five years in New Zealand, the awareness of osteopathic treatment for babies has increased, however we are still often asked when to seek treatment for a baby. We also often see older children who could have benefited from treatment as a baby. We are keen that all babies and children who need help, receive it in a timely fashion.

This article is to inform parents when to seek osteopathic treatment for their baby and what to look for in an osteopath.

​A baby will often communicate there is a problem by being unsettled, irritable or wakeful.
​Symptoms in a newborn baby to be aware of are:
  • colic
  • excessive wind
  • continuous crying
  • difficulty feeding or a preference to feed from one breast
  • sticky eyes
  • sleeping difficulties
  • stiffness of the neck muscles
  • favouring the head to one side 
  • a misshapen head
  • tongue tie or jaw restriction
PictureRegistered Osteopath Melanie Young treating a young baby
What education do Osteopaths have?

Osteopaths train for forty hours per week for five years full-time at university and are required to competently pass well over one hundred exams and undergo clinical competency training and exams.

Osteopaths are government regulated and registered with the Osteopathic Council of New Zealand and must partake in ongoing professional education each year. We are also ACC treatment providers.

Osteopaths who treat babies and young children ought to have done extra post graduate study in addition to their undergraduate paediatric study.
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Why would a newborn baby have anything wrong with them that is needing help by an osteopath?
A baby's passage through the birth canal is usually a difficult process however nature ensures that the bones of the skull are pliable enough to overlap to enable this to happen. Sometimes the bones do not return to their normal positions after delivery. This can happen if the labour is unusually long or fast, if there is a large baby passing through a small pelvis, if a baby has a large head or if intervention is necessary for example a forceps delivery or ventouse extraction. A baby may suffer a cranial base, neck, shoulder or back strain during the birth process. Pre-term babies may have strain from being out of the uterus too early and there is also likely to be alterations in nervous system function.

A Caesarian birth may involve trauma to the baby who is stuck in the mother's pelvis. Alternatively, problems can occur in utero if there is insufficient amniotic fluid.

Very often your midwife or lead maternity carer will refer you and your baby to see an osteopath for assessment and treatment, particularly if the birth has been difficult. We also work with Lactation consultants to help with feeding issues. This can include jaw and cranial base problems that may be affecting the baby's ability to latch, or to treat the tongue and surrounding structures in cases where a posterior tongue tie is affecting baby's function.

How soon should my baby see an Osteopath?
If there is nothing particularly troublesome going on for your baby then we recommend two weeks after the birth is a good time to have made an appointment as that gives you time to feel settled at home and also figure out how to get out of the house and travel with a new baby.
If the birth has been difficult or your baby is very upset and won't settle, then we recommend bringing them in to see a cranial osteopath as soon as possible.
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What does the assessment and treatment look like?
First a medical history of the mother and baby is taken relating to the pregnancy and birth and any concerns you may have. Then your baby is gently assessed from their feet up to their head. Findings and treatment process are explained and then treatment will take place with your consent.
The treatment looks calming and is very gentle for your baby. If necessary we can treat your baby while they are being breast fed or sucking on a finger to help soothe them. Osteopaths use their hands to gently help the baby undo strains in the fascia (the connective tissues of the body), to help restore better alignment and function. We are also able to assist the autonomic nervous system of the body, calming the sympathetic and boosting the parasympathetic nervous system. This is very relaxing and helps the digestion to settle and ideally the whole body to be in self healing mode. Please note cranial osteopathy is not just to do with the head, any tissue in the body can be  treated with this gentle approach. Our clients find it is surprisingly effective.

Afterwards your baby may be more hungry than usual and be a bit unsettled or sleep for longer periods as their body works with the treatment to undo strains and find better alignment and health. 
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Ideally all pregnant mums would be assessed and treated at around 35 weeks pregnant to help balance up the pelvis and ready the connective tissues of the body for birth.
Research shows 
http://jaoa.org/article.aspx?articleid=2092759) that this results in a better birth with fewer interventions. This also means post birth we can see you for a one hour 'Mother and baby' check up together.

Some research:
Meta-analysis of research shows Osteopathic treatment reduces length of stay and costs in preterm infants. March 2017 insights.ovid.com/crossref?an=00005792-201703240-00043
Osteopathic treatment of children with cerebral palsyjaoa.org/article.aspx?articleid=2093549#72971939

Research evidence for cranial bone mobility:

http://www.icnr.com/articles/radiographic-evidence-of-cranial-bone-mobility.html
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Research on cranial rhythmic impulse and the Traube-Hering-Mayer oscillation:
http://jaoa.org/article.aspx?articleid=2092406 
Research on measuring intracranial wave form pulsatility:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9779147
Pre-term-infants(Research:http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0127370 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3648440/)
Research on treatment of colic http://​www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1744388105001350
Research on plagiocephaly www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S174438811100020X
Research evidence on safety of Cranial Osteopathy: 
http://jaoa.org/article.aspx?articleid=2093194
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Thank you to the parents who have given us permission to use a photo of their baby.
For more information please see our website www.cityosteopaths.co.nz
For an appointment or if you have specific questions, one of our osteopaths can call you back on 04 4991439


Melanie Young 
B.A., B.App.Sc. (Clin.Sc.), B. Osteo.Sc. Reg. Osteopath, MONZ
Reg. Osteopath
Director City Osteopaths


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Severe reflux and idiopathic oral aversion in a premature baby treated with osteopathy at 8 months after the birth. A case study.

4/7/2017

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The baby was one of a set of twins, born three months early at 27 weeks. There were feeding issues from the start so the baby was fed with a nasogastric tube till 37 weeks gestational age, then tried on breast/bottle, however the baby refused to take food or bottle into the mouth. The mother thought it was due to severe reflux. The other twin did not have reflux, was able to eat and was thriving.

I first saw the baby at 8 months past the birth date, referred to me by another osteopath who had seen the baby only once the week before and decided to refer quickly as there was limited time before surgery. A stomach tube was planned in a fortnights time to enable food to go directly via a tube into the stomach and increase the amount of calories and nutrition received by the baby.

The baby was being fed via a tube through the nose and taking omeprazole twice daily for the gastro-oesphageal reflux. Weight gain was slow, milestones delayed, and there was a severe eczema like rash on the face from the acid spilling onto the cheeks. The baby liked to poke fabric into the mouth, however had a very active gag reflex and disorganised suck. 

A few days after one osteopathic treatment using very gentle hands on work to reduce the compression of the cranial base and treat the nerves (glossopharyngeal, facial and vagus) to the baby's tongue, palate, face and digestive system, the reflux stopped completely and the baby started eating. The gag reflex was much reduced and the cheeks started to heal up rapidly as they were no longer being covered in acidic reflux. 
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The specialist was very happy with the changes so took the baby off the omeprazole, removed the nasogastric tube and cancelled the stomach tube surgery. The baby started to put on weight as the intake of solids was increased and has continued to improve.

The baby needed a couple more osteopathic treatments to help as he started to grow. The baby has had no more reflux and the cheeks are normal healthy skin. I have recently followed up with the mother and now a year on, the baby is doing well, eating well and has had no more oral aversion or reflux.

In Australia and New Zealand, Osteopaths study intensively for five years full-time at University, are  required to be registered by the their respective professional councils and do ongoing postgraduate study each year.

Only some osteopaths treat babies as it takes time, aptitude and practice to develop the skills. The treatment is safe and very gentle. Osteopaths learn to use their hands to gently treat strains in the body. Facilitating blood supply, nerve supply and venous and lymphatic drainage enables the body to heal as well as possible and as quickly as possible.

Please note, not all babies with reflux will respond as rapidly as this baby did. Reflux is usually multi-factorial so other management strategies may also be necessary.

​There is a growing body of global research to support our work. Our practice would be happy to participate in further research studies.
​
Here is a link to information on gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD)

Also a link to a very small scale osteopathic research paper on treatment of GORD

Thank you to the parents who permitted me to write up their baby's case. These photos are not of their baby but are a fair representation.
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Melanie Young
B.A., BSc.(Clin Sc.) B.Osteo Sc. MONZ
Reg Osteopath
​Director City Osteopaths
Wellington
​New Zealand

​Phone 04 4991439


http://www.cityosteopaths.co.nz

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City Osteopaths article on osteopathic treatment before and during pregnancy - “supporting the change”

2/9/2017

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PictureOsteopaths love to help women through the process of fertility, pregnancy and birth
One of the most unique times in a woman’s life, pregnancy is quite a special state. Fortunately, many women have an easy, straightforward experience, but for those who don’t, osteopathic treatment can be very effective at easing discomfort and making this unique time enjoyable - the way it should be.

In an ideal world, every woman who is planning to become pregnant would have an osteopathic assessment and treatment in preparation for the journey ahead. This is particularly important if she has any musculoskeletal issues, be it lower back pain, neck and shoulders tension or pain, bad posture, or had a severe injury in the past (as for example, a past unresolved ankle sprain can alter walking patterns even slightly which may lead to tricky pelvic and spinal dysfunctions or restrictions that can interfere with the necessary postural adaptations in pregnancy and even labour). 
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PicturePain can crop up in pregnancy as your body is trying to adapt to major postural changes
​While particular attention should be directed towards the pelvis, osteopaths try to make sure the whole body is able to adapt efficiently to the incredible changes that happen on many levels during pregnancy. Some things we focus on pre-conception are improving blood flow and lymphatic circulation in the pelvis and abdomen. This is so important these days when most people spend hours sitting at their desks or in vehicles. Balancing the autonomic nervous system (which usually means reducing the effects of stress by calming the sympathetic nervous system) is another area that often needs help and can make for a very different experience once a woman becomes pregnant, for both herself and the baby.

While sorting out dysfunctions that can be dealt with pre-conception is ideal, treatment in pregnancy is very beneficial and often needed. Pregnancy is a very dynamic state where the body undergoes some profound changes in a relatively short space of time.



​​I will touch on a few of those below and mention briefly what osteopaths can do to help “support the change” or reduce discomfort if the changes are not happening as smoothly as they should:


1) Postural/mechanical changes: as the body’s centre of gravity shifts for obvious reasons, the posture changes dramatically. It is of vital importance to ensure that there are no major restrictions so the structure is able to adapt to new demands. One very important aspect is to ensure normal mobility of the sacrum so that it can move during labour thus making it easier for the baby to pass through the birth canal. But it’s not just about the pelvis. Chronic sitting in desk workers often leads to tension and sometimes constant pain in the shoulders/neck or between the shoulder blades. Not only is this uncomfortable and stressful, restrictions there would prevent a woman from achieving a deep squat with good form - which is one of the most useful exercises in pregnancy as well as a great position during labour that helps the baby descend. Having a mobile thoracic spine and ribcage also means you can breathe more efficiently getting more oxygen for yourself and the developing baby, have more energy and a clearer head! 


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Gentle Osteopathic treatment lying on the side to be most comfortable and safe.
With relaxin at play the ligaments soften and help the body adapt. Some osteopaths consider the increased secretion of relaxin a wonderful opportunity to work with old strain patterns as everything becomes so much more pliable, responsive and likely to change. However, sometimes this increased softening can contribute to strains and pains, especially in the pelvis, either at the back (sacroiliac joints) or in front (pubic symphysis). Having naturally looser joints (hypermobility) can make this more likely. In this situation gentle osteopathic techniques to balance the tension in the pelvic ligaments to allow the bones to find their natural position is very effective in most cases. Increased lower back curve (“swayback”) can lead to compression of the joints and soft tissues in the back and be quite uncomfortable but is also very amenable to osteopathic decompressive treatment.
It is important to realise that posture continues to change even after delivery - with new demands on the body such as feeding and carrying the baby, nappy changing etc. Gentle exercise such as yoga can help and osteopathic treatment (especially what we communicate to the joint position sensors) can be a useful adjunct, especially early on after giving birth when you should rest as much as possible (as a general rule, 6 weeks of no strenuous exercise after delivery).
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Feeding and carrying a baby for hours a day can be very tiring and hard work. We understand this and can help your body manage the stresses and strains.
2) In pregnancy there is a dramatic increase in the circulating blood volume. The expanding uterus may make venous drainage less efficient which can lead to congestive issues such as varicose veins in legs, vulval varicosities or haemorrhoids. Generalised fluid retention can also cause ankle swelling or carpal tunnel syndrome. Gentle rhythmic osteopathic techniques can assist drainage and reduce the discomfort of swelling.

​3) Changes in the digestive system: during pregnancy, constipation is a common issue and while the importance of a healthy diet (including adequate water intake) and regular movement such as walking, for example, cannot be underestimated, gentle manual treatment that helps balance the nerve supply to the gut can help too. With heartburn being another common problem, easing the pressure on the diaphragm and giving the internal organs more space by gently decompressing the spine, freeing up the lower ribcage and thoracic spine where the diaphragm attaches can make a significant difference.
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Osteopaths use their hands to diagnose and treat. Gently sorting out strains so your body can heal.
In summary, the aim of osteopathic treatment in pregnancy is to support and assist the expectant mother’s body in all the changes and adaptations it needs to go through to make the pregnancy and the delivery as easy as possible. It also creates the best conditions for the developing baby and the baby's passage through the birth canal - this is the ultimate preventative care!
​Our patients often describe a feeling of very deep relaxation during and after treatment, however there’s much more to it than just feeling nice. The more relaxed and well balanced you are, the more the powerful self healing “programme” inside your body is able to function optimally and that is very good for mums and their babies.
​
Some research on Osteopathic treatment in Pregnancy:
Osteopathic manipulative treatment for nonspecific low back pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25175885 
Acute improvement in hemodynamic control after osteopathic manipulative treatment in the third trimester of pregnancy. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24280470
​
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​Aydan Hajiyeva Honours Diploma in General Medicine, DO M.Ost. Reg. Osteopath MONZ
Aydan has an Integrated Master’s Degree course from the European School of Osteopathy (UK).
Having previously completed six years medical doctor training, she really appreciates the holistic nature of the osteopathic approach. She has been exposed to a variety of treatment approaches at university, including classical, cranial and visceral osteopathy and has undertaken post graduate education, including biodynamics of osteopathy, primitive reflexes and pregnancy care, which have helped her develop her vision of osteopathy. Aydan regards osteopathy as a philosophy allowing her to create a positive change in a patient, by facilitating the expression of the inherent wisdom of the body.
www.cityosteopaths.co.nz 
​Phone 04 4991439

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