Can OMT Help During Pregnancy?

Pregnancy and childbirth are remarkable processes that have left many physicians and laypeople in awe. As wonderful as they are, though, they put a woman’s body through a lot of changes, and those changes can contribute to various types of discomfort. Fortunately, treatments are available that can make it easier for expecting moms to get through this exciting albeit challenging time. Read on to learn how OMT can help during pregnancy.

OMT and Pregnancy: The Basics

Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) is a type of non-invasive therapy that involves moving a patient’s body in specific, precise ways. It thereby helps to bring the body back into balance and has been shown to be effective in relieving various aches and pains. Visually, it looks similar to physical therapy or chiropractic, but the techniques and principles at work are quite different.

OMT has been shown to be useful in helping pregnant women to cope with the various discomforts that may accompany their condition. For example, it has been known to reduce:

• Nausea
• Back pain
• Pelvic girdle pain
• Numbness
• Loss of mobility
• Lack of energy
• Loss of sleep
• General discomfort

Additionally, attending OMT sessions following childbirth may help a woman recover as efficiently as possible.

How Does OMT Work to Reduce Pregnancy Symptoms?

OMT helps to reduce the symptoms and discomforts of pregnancy by managing the many changes that a woman goes through while growing a new human. It treats the body as a whole unit, recognizing that structure and function are closely related.

Somatic dysfunction is very common during pregnancy (somatic refers to the body’s framework, including its musculoskeletal and nervous systems). OMT can lessen that dysfunction, leading to reduced musculoskeletal symptoms.

For example, one study, published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology in 2010, looked at back pain among pregnant women who were divided into three groups. One group received normal obstetric care combined with OMT. They tended to have significantly less deterioration of back pain than those in the other two groups.

Benefits of OMT During Pregnancy

Some benefits of OMT during pregnancy include:

• The treatment does not involve the use of any medications that might pass through the placenta to a developing infant.
• OMT has been established as safe for developing fetuses.
• It can improve quality of life for pregnant women throughout their pregnancy and afterward.
• It is a relaxing therapy that can address a range of pregnancy symptoms.

Are you expecting a new addition to your family? To fully reap the benefits of OMT, consider starting it as early on in your pregnancy as possible.

Meet the Practice

The Institute for Non-Surgical Orthopedics of Delray Beach features a large team of talented physicians. We are proud to offer OMT to expecting moms. To learn more about this therapy or the other services we offer, reach out to our office at 561-268-0523.