Treatment for Mothers and Babies

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Pregnancy Clinic

Clinic for expectant mothers

Pregnancy is a time of transformation. An expectant mother must adapt to accommodate her growing baby as well as meet the increased physiological demands on her body. Some women attend our clinic for pregnancy related pains and symptoms, others to help the body prepare for labour and delivery.

Pelvic mechanics can be addressed directly or through work with the deep fascia and the cranio-sacral rhythm. By addressing structural imbalances, osteopathy encourages an environment for optimal foetal positioning and promotes the necessary sacral motions for unobstructed transit of the baby through the birth canal.

Pregnancy pain is common; Most cases resolve within 3 months of delivery, however treatment can make for a more comfortable experience. Complaints are most often due to the increasing weight of the baby, shifts in the centre of gravity as the uterus grows and ligament laxity associated with hormonal changes. Reduced muscular support introduces novel strain patterns and maladaptive compensations in biomechanics and posture.

Hyperlordosis, or deepening of the curve in the low back is seen commonly, along with external rotation of the hips, or 'walking like a duck'. Such things as sacroiliac and symphysis pubis dysfunctions (SPD) can occur and pressure on the sciatic nerve can cause symptoms radiating down the leg. Changes in posture and increased weight of the breasts can cause tension around the neck and shoulders, sometimes leading to headaches.

In later pregnancy, growth of the baby under the ribs can affect breathing mechanics; pressure on the rib cage and diaphragm causes not only pain but also difficulty with deep breathing, indigestion and reflux. Pressure on organs such as the gallbladder and bladder can cause visceral pain and urgency and digestive transit can be slowed, leading to constipation.


Acupuncture in pregnancy

Acupuncture can be effective for a range of painful pregnancy complaints and is widely known to benefit morning sickness. Some points can induce uterine contractions and are forbidden in treatment. While not directly able to induce labour, there is reasonable evidence to suggest that acupuncture after 36 weeks promotes cervical ripening.


Manual lymphatic drainage in pregnancy

Increased blood volume and blood vessel laxity, combined with pressure from the growing uterus, can affect circulation, leading to swelling in the extremities and varicose veins. Improving overall mechanics can positively influence venous and lymphatic circulation and osteopathy is often combined with manual lymphatic drainage to enhance treatment effects.


osteopathy for pregnancy related pain and birth preparation

Our treatments aim to relieve painful symptoms and train the body into a pattern where it accommodates and adapts to growth while maintaining normal physical and physiological function.

Jane trained with the Birthlight Foundation to teach yoga-based exercise for pregnancy and birth preparation. She may prescribe this as part of your treatment plan for self-management of pain and birth preparation.


  • Low back pain
  • Pelvic girdle pain
  • Symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD)
  • Sciatica
  • Neck & shoulder pain
  • Headaches
  • Rib pain
  • Restricted breathing
  • Reflux & indigestion
  • Bladder urgency
  • Constipation

Your Consultation: what to expect

Treatments by Jane Bell

Registered Osteopath & Medical Acupuncturist

General Osteopathic Council Regstration #7784

About Jane


Post-natal Clinic

Our postnatal clinic is for women who have given birth in the last 18 months.

The post-natal period is one of recovery and exploration as mum and baby bond and get to know each other. This is a process with continual adaptation required to meet baby’s evolving needs and own little ways as they grow and develop. Most women visit us with back pain due to abdominal and pelvic floor weaknesses as well as postural complaints from caring for the newborn and other young children.

Some women find themselves performing their new role while contending with residual pains from pregnancy or complaints arising from the birth itself. Risk factors for developing postnatal pain include pain in pregnancy, Caesarean section, grade three and four perineal tears, multiple pregnancies and carrying twins (or more!).

Care of the newborn involves plenty of lifting, some of which can be awkward. The deep abdominal muscles and muscles of the pelvic floor together support the lumbar spine. They must recover and regain strength to allow mum to perform her duties without causing injury or discomfort. Those who have had a Caesarean or significant perineal tear will be advised to avoid lifting for 6 weeks; their lifting doesn’t start until baby has already gained around a kilo in weight.

Ligamentous laxity persists into the postnatal period, especially in breast-feeding mothers. Increased size and weight of the breasts, and sustained postures such as sitting to feed, cause rounding of the upper back and shoulders whether baby is at the breast or at the bottle. Pain and stiffness can spread to the neck, causing headaches in some.



postnatal recovery

Osteopathy offers a gentle and effective way to help the body recover from the physical demands of pregnancy and childbirth, allowing new parents to feel more comfortable and better able to care for and enjoy their little one.

Jane trained with the Birthlight Foundation to teach yoga-based exercise in postnatal recovery. She may prescribe these as part of your treatment plan for self-management.


  • Postnatal pain
  • Caesarean recovery
  • Pelvic floor rehabilitation
  • Reconnection with the deep abdominals
  • Stabilises the hips, pelvis & spine
  • Addresses muscle imbalances & posture

Your Consultation: what to expect

Treatments by Jane Bell

Registered Osteopath & Medical Acupuncturist

General Osteopathic Council Regstration #7784

About Jane


Infants and Juniors

Babies, toddlers and children from birth to five.

Osteopathy is suitable for babies from birth. Many of the newborns that we see in clinic present with colic-like distress, digestive discomfort or feeding difficulties. Some parents sense that their babies hold tension from the birth experience or from habitual postures and attend out of curiosity to explore a natural solution; others simply want to have their baby checked over after the birth.

Babies haven’t embedded any of our bad postural habits and their tissues are extremely responsive to treatment. We use gentle techniques to mobilise the joints, massage the organs and work with fascial patterns of the body as baby uncurls from their time in the womb.

Babies skeletons are softer than those of adults, the bones of the skull are yet to fuse and cranial techniques are often used in their treatment. These address residual compressions in the head and neck, encouraging tissue rebound and resetting. They may also be useful in addressing tensions in the neck or jaw that contribute to latching difficulties or difficulties with bottle feeding.


Some babies experience a long labour or traumatic birth requiring instrumental delivery or emergency section. These babies often have high levels of circulating stress hormones and can take a little longer adjusting. Many exhibit fretfulness and fussing. Cranial techniques can be relaxing and calming and can promote restful sleep and general wellbeing.

The newborn’s digestive system is immature and may be sensitive to milk formulae or foods in the breastfeeding mother’s diet. This can manifest as reflux, excessive gas and constipation. Our treatments use gentle structural techniques to balance the cavities of the body and to massage and create space for the organs. Working the cranial and sacral areas stimulates the calming functions of the autonomic nervous system which operate outside of our voluntary control. With fight or flight under control, blood is diverted to the digestive organs for their optimal function.

Antibiotics can cross the placenta and also find their way into breast milk. They may have been prescribed in late pregnancy or in preventative treatment following a Caesarean or surgical repair of the perineum. Babies themselves are sometimes treated with antibiotics. These are non-selective and strip the developing gut flora before it has a chance to fully colonise. Digestive complaints often manifest as colic-like distress and take a while to settle.


osteopathy for babies & children

Interactive mother-baby practice assists the early bonding processes and, once familiar, can be used as calming tools for unsettled babies. Jane trained with TouchLearn and the Birthlight Foundation to teach infant massage and mother and baby yoga-based exercise. She may prescribe these as part of your baby's treatment plan and may also advise on a range of probiotics and supplements to support baby’s comfort, growth and development.


  • Fretfullnes, fussing & colic-like distress
  • Digestive discomfort & wind
  • Feeding difficulties
  • Traumatic birth
  • Muscular tension
  • Torticollis

Your Consultation: what to expect

Treatments by Jane Bell

Registered Osteopath & Medical Acupuncturist

General Osteopathic Council Regstration #7784

About Jane


 

Juniors clinic, 6 – 15 years

Osteopathy is suitable for children and adolescents at all stages of their development. Parents often choose osteopathy because of it’s gentle, hands-on, and drug-free approach to healthcare. We take time to listen to the child and assess their individual needs taking a whole body approach.

Our more lively patients often present with sports injuries. Others have biomechanical, congenital or developmental dysfunctions or a neurodevelopmental condition that makes them prone to injury. Many more are just plain accident prone!

Skeletal maturity is not complete until the late teens/early 20s and many children experience growing pains. Postural issues are a real problem in today's youngsters; carrying heavy school bags has been replaced by lengthy time sitting behind a computer, or dare we say mobile device.

Osteopathic assessment can help in the early detection and management of scoliosis, an abnormal lateral curvature of the spine. It can play a supportive role in helping children manage the condition and it’s associated symptoms of movement restriction, muscle tension and pain. While unable to reverse a scoliotic curve, osteopathy focus on imbalances in the rest of the body and postures that exacerbate the problem. It aims to reduce strain on the spine, allowing the child to move more comfortably and efficiently in their daily activities. Attention to the ribcage can take pressure off the lungs and diaphragm, improving breathing mechanics.

Issues of hypermobility are common in youngsters, affecting more girls than boys. Pain is a common complaint, especially after activity or at night. Increased range of motion renders the joints susceptible to sprains, strains and even dislocations. Hypermobile children often come across as clumsy with poor gross and fine motor skills. They can display clicky joints and experience fatigue as their muscles work harder to stabilise the joints. Symptoms often subside as the connective tissues mature, although a life-long commitment to strength and stability is advised.

Many children, especially those experiencing hypermobility, have flat feet and roll inwards on their ankles. Foot biomechanics have consequences all the way up the chain, affecting joint alignment and muscle balances and stressing the knee, hip and low back. As the fascial planes of the body thread their way from the sole of the foot to the top of the head, altered foot biomechanics can manifest in many ways including opposite shoulder pain, neck pain and even headaches.


osteopathy for juniors & teens

We specialise in musculoskeletal health and the diagnosis and treatment of painful conditions.

Osteopathy can be used to support children as they grow and develop, addressing muscloskeletal imbalances and encouraging good postural habits. Whatever the reason for their visit, we encourage and support all our junior patients to play an active role in their treatment and recovery.


  • Growing pains
  • Postural issues
  • Scoliosis
  • Hypermobility
  • Headaches
  • Digestive issues
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Stress & emotional wellbeing

Your Consultation: what to expect

Treatments by Jane Bell

Registered Osteopath & Medical Acupuncturist

General Osteopathic Council Regstration #7784

About Jane


Contact

Please use our contact form to enquire about our services

CLICK TO CALL 07356 076807

  • People of all ages, from the newborn to the elderly
  • Manual workers
  • Office workers
  • Pregnant and post-natal women
  • Recreational and performance athletes

Shoeburyness Clinic........................
19 Cranley Gardens,
Shoeburyness,
Essex, SS3 9JP

Clinic @TruGym Thorpe Bay
Wakering Road,
Southend-on-Sea,
Essex, SS1 3RB