Has anyone had osteopathy for them (not baby) while pregnant?

[Anglepoise]

I was just wondering if anyone had tried osteopathy - I know that some people on here recommend cranial osteopathy for babies, but this would be for me. Basically I've had a bad leg/hip on and off for the past decade, but in the last week it's been particularly bad and I'm in quite a lot of pain and I'm concerned that pregnancy is making it worse. I'm especially worried because we're off to Glastonbury next week and I'm worried I'm going to spend the festival in pain and stranded in our tent

There are physiotherapists here at work that I can see (for a fee) but I've just had a look at osteopathy and they particularly seem to deal with postural etc problems caused by pregnancy, so I was wondering if that would be more useful.

Any advice would be very welcome!

[PetitFilou1]

Why can't you see an NHS physio? Just as good (my physio friend says ) and doesn't cost anything. You'd need to see the women's physio either when they came to the GP surgery or as an outpatient at the hospital. I have had good experiences both previous pregs with bog standard NHS physios. Mind you you may not be able to see them in time so that might be a reason to see an osteopath...

[Anglepoise]

Sorry, should have said - I'm moving about 200 miles away in six weeks. I saw my GP as part of my antenatal care a week or so ago and mentioned it, but by the time I got referred I wouldn't be here any more. This didn't worry me too much at the time as it didn't hurt so much then and it's been on and off for years, but today I'm in agony!

[PetitFilou1]

Oh ok, well just book in with the oesteopath then but be prepared for the prices! Then when you come back see if you can self refer to NHS physio (or do it now) - it only took a couple of weeks for me and I was in London at the time.

[hattyyellow]

I found osteopathy really helpful during my last pregnancy and would go again this time.

They are obviously limited on the treatments they can do due to the pregnancy, ie they can't do some of the crunching/clicking things back into place type things.

But I found it very useful for proper massage and gentle treatment.

I also got referred to an NHS physio but found them really useless - their exercises were so mild they made no difference to my back ache etc and the appointments were very brief so I felt they didn't have time to achieve much.

[Nelif]

Hi, yes I had osteopathy at 13 weeks - 16 weeks for a bulging disc. My back has been great since. I am really glad I went to an osteopath as they look at your posture as a whole and not just the ailment in question.

Found out that I had a twisted pelvis also so was able to sort this out which could have proved quite painful later on in my pregnancy.
Knowing you are pregnant they use mild manipulation which would not be dangerous for the baby.

I am now 35+3 and my back has been good since.

[Anna8888]

Yes, I had osteopathy at 38 weeks to get the baby into a better position for labour.

Worked brilliantly in one session. Cost £32 (in 2004).

[notcitrus]

I went back to my osteopath twice (25+26 weeks) and he helped my hips/pelvis quite a lot. I got referred by my midwife to an obstetric physio as well, though - only took 3 days to get appt for following week, so worth a try for you? Or get referred direct to new place?

My pelvis is now all nice and aligned, but my symphysis pubis (bit the osteo can't treat) is not doing so well, although the physio exercises are helping a bit. The physio asked me not to see the osteo this week so she can check how my joints are doing without, and then they can consider if doing both might help or not.

[Anglepoise]

Many thanks for the feedback - I am now booked in to see the osteopath at 10 am tomorrow. Fingers crossed it sorts my dodgy hip out - I'm surely too young to be complaining of that yet!