Osteopaths?

[mistressploppy]

I have had sciatica since about 7wks pg, and DS is nearly 9mo now and I'VE STILL GOT IT

I did go for physio but it didn't help. They couldn't see past the pregnancy thing and just kept giving me SPD leaflets (I did not have spd)

Someone recommended an osteopath - what do they do? Am a bit clueless but also a terrible cynic.

Anyone had experience of an osteo?

AFAIK osteo is the same as a chiropractor

sympathy, sciatica is the worst - had it with spd

My osteopath was brilliant, kept me going through pg as well as before and after. Osteopaths will assess your spinal position, either with or without posture testing - and then will gently move bits of your body about to relieve pressure on nerves and tissues around the spine (or other bones sometimes). Some osteopaths and some chiropractors will "click" your joints - like you probably did to your fingers when you were a child (or like the boys in your class would have done). The vertebrae in your spine can rotate out of position - even a slight rotation will put pressure on the long back muscles and nerves that go through the areas. The osteo (or chiro) will move them back into their "proper" position.

When I started seeing mine, I had 3 pronounced curves in my spine - after he had been treating me for a few weeks, I had grown 1/2" as I was straightened out.

Because you have had it a long time, it will likely take more than one treatment to "fix" you - the muscles are now used to the "bad" postural position you are in and will need to readjust to the "correct" position.

A good osteo will sort it out so that you don't have sciatica again. A good chiro will do the same.
IME the main difference is value for money - with an osteo, you pay your money and you get a half hour appt. With a chiro, you can pay the same money and may only be in there for 5 mins if they only feel that one manipulation/click is necessary (this wouldn't work for me - my whole spine needs to be checked over each time)

HTH.

An ostepath (or a good one anyway) practices a lot of soft tissue manipulation and massage.
They have a decent (bot not extraordinairy) evidence base for the treatment of lower back pain.
There is little evidence of risk.

A Chiropractor tend to pratise a more aggresive treatment.
There is some evidence (again not extraordinairy) that they are beneficial in lower back pain.
There are risks assoted with chiropractic, especiallyas regard stroke and neck manipulation.

I'd strongly advise againast a chiropractor.

After that, it's up to you whether you go down osteoptahy or standard treatment of exercise and medication.

i LOVE my osteopath

in fact there are 2 i have been to/go to and i would recommend either of them

where in the country are you?

Thanks everyone, this is helpful.

thisis, I'm in Winchester

ahh no good to you then, we're in west sussex

ooh I know an osteopath in winchester she is lovely and very good will try and find out what her practice is called

Thanks Froggie