A woman’s body goes through constant complex physical and biological changes throughout its lifetime in preparation for different reproductive stages from puberty to menopause. The hormonal and chemical changes endured by women can be both complicated and life-altering so little surprise then that many women at some point in their lives experience difficulties with the natural biological rhythms. At OM we are passionate and dedicated to supporting women at each and all the stages of their life. 

Fertility

1 in 7 couples in the UK are experiencing difficulties conceiving a baby are turning to acupuncture and osteopathy as a safe, effective and low-risk alternative to traditional medical intervention, and to complement ongoing IVF treatment. Both treatment aims to restore the body's natural healthy energy and stimulate its inherent ability to heal itself ensuring that each area of the body (and mind) is in peak condition for pregnancy. 30% of all infertility is undiagnosed and we strongly believe, this is where we can help.

Research has also demonstrated that acupuncture can help to stimulate egg production in women who are either unsuited to IVF or who want to exhaust every possible avenue for natural conception before electing to undergo a fertility programme. Working alongside fertility naturally or supporting IVF, acupuncture helps to regulate menstruation in a woman by getting the body on a regular cycle and addressing painful, heavy, sporadic or missing periods, which can be linked to polycystic ovaries or endometriosis.

These are physical factors that affect a woman’s fertility and her path to getting pregnant, but it also treats emotional wellbeing too. Dealing with miscarriages and fertility hardships can cause huge impact on the anxiety and stress levels. As we believe mind, body and spirit are interlinked, it is important they are all addressed.

Acupuncture and women’s health osteopathy has been shown to have a positive effect on the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, the body’s internal process that keeps the female reproductive system balanced. Additional women’s health physio treatment can target various health issues including PMS, irregular, heavy bleeding or lack of bleeding, menstrual cramping, ovarian cysts, uterine fibroids and endometriosis.

Our multidiciplinary fertility support treatment focuses on creating balanced and optimised structural, visceral and physiological environment that can function at its highest level of health.

Pregnancy 

Pregnancy is a unique and powerful experience. Enormous physical, hormonal and emotional changes take place over a relatively short period of time. The body has to adapt to carrying up to 20lb of baby, waters and placenta, which can impose physical strain on all the organs and tissues.

We can help you adapt to these changes and prepare you for labour with our physiotherapy, osteopathy, pregnancy massage and acupuncture treatment. From morning sickness to lower back and pelvic girdle pain, headaches to depression, sleep problems to lethargy to pre labour baby positioning, expertise at OM will support you all the way through your pregnancy and beyond.

Postnatal care

We recommend that all mothers have a postnatal osteopathy and physio check up following the delivery. Physical recovery following labour and childbirth is not always straightforward particularly if the pregnancy or labour was difficult. Additionally, adapting to the physical demands of caring for a new baby can further burden a mother’s body when it is continuing to undergo hormonal and physical changes. Our highly skilled women’s health osteopathy, physiotherapy and acupuncture team can help you with musculoskeletal and hormonal issues, breastfeeding difficulties, C-section recovery, pelvic floor muscle weakness or overactivity, urinary incontinence prolapse and postpartum mental health.

We also offer baby and children osteopathy. An osteopathic assessment of a baby after birth can help identify potential problems resulting from the traumatic transition from life inside to the outside world. Cranial osteopathy is very gentle, safe & effective in the treatment of birth trauma. Specific gentle pressure is applied where necessary to enable the baby’s head and body to release the stresses held from the birthing process. Although subtle, cranial osteopathy has a powerful impact on babies.

Post Natal Assessment

Post natal MOT is a person oriented, evidenced based approach to pelvic health, pelvis and spine. It is a thorough and in-depth assessment of all issues related to pregnancy and childbirth. Completely individual to you, the consultation includes an exam of your pelvic floor, pelvis, sacroiliac joint & lumbar spine, abdominals & scar tissue. It aims to restore function of the pelvic floor muscles in relation to surrounding structures, visceral organs and breathing mechanism.

Our post natal MOT assessment is recommended for women following both vaginal and caesarean deliveries, whether 6 weeks, 8 weeks, or even many years after birth.

Women's Health Pelvic Physiotherapy has been successfully used to treat many conditions which can affect women at any stages of life. It can help with pregnancy and postnatal related issues such as urinary incontinence, pelvic floor muscle weakness or overactivity, Bladder Pain Syndrome, Diastasis Recti, prolapse, episiotomy or abdominal scar after C-section, pelvic pain, sciatic pain, lower back pain, painful intercourse, coccyx pain, prolapse among others.

Scar Work

ScarWork is a gentle form of manual therapy developed by Sharon Wheeler over the last 50 years to help tissue damage associated with scarring. It is practiced directly on the surface of the skin, without the use of lubricants, and working on the scar itself as well as on the surrounding tissues.

It can be used to treat any tissue fibrosis (or "thickening"), adhesions and contracture following a trauma or surgery – C section, cancer-related, hip and knee replacements, abdominal surgery, laparoscopy, thyroidectomy to name a few. It also helps to reduce pain, sensitivity and numbness, and supports optimal recovery and structural balance in the long term.

Menopause

The perimenopause stage can begin as early as mid-late thirties and basically means the time leading up to menopause. The symptoms are due to a decrease in sex hormones which can also affect the rest of the hormonal system such as thyroid and adrenal function. Symptoms vary from woman to woman depending on the type of hormonal imbalance. Some women may glide through their perimenopause and menopause without any problems, but many experience all sorts of unpleasant and confusing symptoms. Osteopathy, physiotherapy and acupuncture is known to be helpful in managing these symptoms, from physical and emotional discomforts to digestive issues to sleep problems. Our team of women’s health experts can also advice you on any lifestyle adaptations such as nutritional health, exercise routine and stress management in order to support your healing and wellness.

OM Women’s health treatment packages:

• Mummy Package - Post Natal MOT, Pelvic Health Physio (3hrs)

• Mum & Baby Osteo Package - Osteopathy for Mum and Baby (3 hrs)

More details on our booking page here