Is osteopathy safe to have to alleviate back pain while pregnant?

[joosiewoosie]

I had back pain a couple of years ago (wasn't pregnant). I'm now 13+4 and showing a bit and the pain has flared up in the same place and is now spreading across my back too. I think it is this which is causing my current insomnia also - frustrating and v tiring not being able to sleep between 1 and 4 am!
I was thinking of going back to see the osteopath I used last time as 3 or 4 treatments and a bit of advice seemed to ease it last time, but am hesitant as so many things are advised against in pregnancy.
Anyone any the wiser on this?

Unexpected Orange has got the right idea about finding someone experienced with treating pregnant women. I go to a teaching college for chiropractors for my neck & back problems so I get the final year students. I think my new student for this year was a bit freaked when I told her I was pregnant only a few weeks after she'd taken on my case, but she's spent a lot of time checking with the tutors and another student who has a pregnant patient so she knows what she can do. Since she's got used to the idea and knows she isn't going to break me, she thinks it's brilliant that she gets this extra experience!

Thanks guys.
Enfyshedd, what is the difference between chiropractors and osteopaths? You sound much braver than me using a student chiropractor. I feel like a bit of a woos in comparison!
Her (the osteopath I used) website says she deals with pregnancy issues and also baby/children's problems too (e.g. cranial massage to ease colic), so she must've had training.
I wonder if anyone has had experience of using it while pregnant or had advice from their midwife about it?

I use it while pg and it is fantastic. I did however, go to some effort to find one who specialised in pg women, and asked her not to 'crack' me too much. I am going tomorrow in fact (35 weeks)- been looking forward to it for ages.
I would just ask your osteo, who you clearly know and trust and who knows your body, to tell you more about her training for pg women and what particular approach she would take with you.

Yes, it is safe, but you need to find a practitioner experienced in the pregnant body. The OCC treats pregnant women as well as babies and children, and has an excellent reputation. It might be a good place to enquire about suitable practitioners near you.

Experianced practitioners of the Alexander Technique are also safe, and can be very helpful. I found this very helpful in learning how to turn over, with bump, in bed.

I saw my cranial osteopath on Tuesday and have been seeing him throughout my pregnancy. He is experienced in treating pregnant women and also does new baby checks. I think ostepathy is relatively gentle most of the time. I love my visits to my osteopath and I'm sure that it has helped in me not yet suffering from any pain. I'm booked in with baby for afterwards to check we're both ok.

hello reflexology can do wonders for back ache and if you find someone who has done maternity reflexology we learn loads about the bones of the pelvis and back and how to treat through the feet, bizare but quite amazing. there is also loads of research into how great it is for reducing labour time and pain. and no cracking. !! if you want to find someone let me know where you are and I can see if i know anyone x

joosie is there a neal's yard remedies therapy room around where you live? They usually have therapists that specialize in pregnant women osteopathy.

Hi joosiewoosie. I got the info below from this website: www.simplyhealth.co.uk/sh/pages/individuals/difference-chiropractic-osteopathy.jsp

Chiropractic treatment
Chiropractors specialise in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions that are due to problems with bones, joints, muscles and nerves, particularly those of the spine. Chiropractors work on the joints of your body and use their hands to make gentle, specific adjustments to improve joint function and help relieve pain.
Chiropractors can also support the treatment they offer with advice about your lifestyle and exercise in order to help manage your condition and lessen recurrence. They may use diagnostic tools like X-Rays or MRI scans to identify where your body need attention.

Osteopathy treatment
Osteopathy takes a broad approach to your body's aches and strains. It treats problems with muscles, ligaments, joints and nerves using a technique called 'mobilisation'. By stretching and massaging your body, an osteopath can encourage movement and make you more comfortable. They too can offer dietary and aftercare advice and sometimes use scans to help pinpoint problems.

I take the point of view that they've got to learn somehow, and somebody's got to stick their neck out for it. It could just be I've got that attitiude after having a knee op when I was 10, and at my first outpatient check up my consultant asked me if I was happy for some med students to come in - felt so grown up at having my permission asked for, and not my parents'.

Enfyshedd I once acted as a guinea pig for some acupuncture students, just because I made a mistake of asking a friend of my mum's for some help with back pain and told him that I couldn't afford to pay for his consult. Felt like a freaking porcupine!
On the chiropractor vs Osteopath debate I side with the latter, I hate the sound of bone cracking and prefer the gentler but extremely effective style of the osteopath.

Thanks for all your responses folks! Will let you know how I get on!
J x

I've managed to hold out until 19 weeks, and have just had my first acupuncture session. (Midwife referred me)
It was rather strange. A few of the needles hurt as she placed them in my back, but some did not hurt at all, and I could not feel (calves, ankles etc). As I came out, I felt a little tingling around the back ones especially. The midwife acupuncturist said that I may feel a little worse before I feel better, but I should sleep well tonight - yay!
Will let you all know what happens over the next few weeks. I've another appointment next Weds, and am looking forward to seeing if it can help my increasingly sore back.

I'll declare an interest immediately as I work for the British School of Osteopathy, but you might be interested in our Expectant Mothers' Clinics which are run to support pregnant women. We're based in London, SE1 and although the treatment is provided by student osteopaths, they are closely supervised by qualified and very experienced tutors. It's about half the price of regular treatment as well. Let me know if you want the website address for the clinic.