Women’s Health

Pregnancy Osteopathy

Pregnancy brings continuous changes to the body as it adapts to support the growing baby.

Osteopathic care during pregnancy can focus on helping women manage musculoskeletal symptoms and adapt to these physical changes, while supporting comfortable movement throughout pregnancy.

I work with women experiencing problems such as:

• Back and pelvic discomfort
• Pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain
• Hip and groin discomfort
• Rib and upper back discomfort
• Neck and shoulder tension
• Changes in posture and movement
• General musculoskeletal discomfort associated with pregnancy

Treatment is adapted to the individual woman and stage of pregnancy, with appropriate consideration of medical and obstetric factors.

Postnatal Osteopathy

The physical demands of pregnancy, childbirth and caring for a baby can place considerable demands on the body.

Postnatal osteopathic care focuses on helping women gradually restore movement, function and physical confidence following birth.

Depending on your individual needs, this may include assessment and management of:

• Back, neck and pelvic discomfort
• Musculoskeletal changes following pregnancy
• Areas of stiffness or restricted movement
• Physical changes following different types of birth
• Recovery following caesarean section
• Returning to exercise and normal activity
• The physical demands of feeding, carrying and caring for a baby

Rehabilitation and exercise can also form an important part of the recovery process, with progression based on your individual stage of recovery.

Mummy MOT

I offer the Mummy MOT as part of my women’s health services, providing a specialist postnatal assessment following pregnancy and childbirth.

The assessment considers the physical changes associated with pregnancy and birth and can help identify areas that may benefit from further treatment, rehabilitation or exercise.

This can be particularly useful for women who want to understand how their body has recovered after pregnancy and how to safely progress back towards exercise and everyday activity.

C-Section & Scar Tissue Management

A caesarean section is a significant abdominal surgery, and the resulting scar is one part of the body’s wider healing process.

Scar tissue can sometimes feel tight, sensitive or restricted and may affect how the surrounding tissues move.

Where appropriate, I use gentle scar and soft-tissue techniques as part of a wider assessment and rehabilitation approach.

Treatment is individualised according to the stage of healing, the appearance and sensitivity of the scar and the woman’s symptoms and goals.

Scar management may also be relevant following other abdominal or pelvic surgery.

Women’s Health & Movement

Women’s health is not only about pregnancy and childbirth.

I am particularly interested in how changes throughout a woman’s life can influence movement, physical capacity and musculoskeletal health.

My background in sports rehabilitation and Applied Functional Science also allows me to consider how women can maintain or rebuild strength, mobility and confidence through different stages of life.

For active women, this may include supporting a gradual return to exercise following pregnancy, surgery or injury and helping them rebuild the physical capacity required for the activities they enjoy.

Visceral & Gynaecological Osteopathic Approach

My postgraduate training at the Molinari Institute includes study of visceral and gynaecological aspects of women’s health, alongside the anatomy, physiology and clinical considerations relevant to pregnancy, birth and post-partum care.

This forms part of a broader osteopathic assessment, where appropriate, rather than treating an isolated area of the body in isolation.

Where symptoms suggest a condition requiring medical or specialist assessment, I will recommend appropriate referral or liaise with other healthcare professionals where necessary.

Pelvic Health & Pelvic Pain

Pelvic health can be affected by many different factors, including pregnancy, childbirth, changes in activity, previous injuries and changes within the body over time.

I take a whole-body approach to pelvic health, looking at how the pelvis, hips, spine, abdominal muscles, pelvic floor and breathing work together.

I can work with women experiencing musculoskeletal pelvic pain, discomfort or changes in movement and function. Where appropriate, treatment may include hands-on osteopathic treatment, movement work, rehabilitation and exercises to support your recovery.

If your symptoms require further medical or specialist assessment, I will also recommend appropriate referral where needed.

Female Athletes

Women who train and compete in sport can have different physical demands and considerations throughout their lives.

My background in sports rehabilitation, osteopathy and Applied Functional Science allows me to look at how the body moves and responds to training, while also considering the specific needs of the female athlete.

I can support female athletes with injury rehabilitation, musculoskeletal problems, returning to sport and rebuilding strength and physical capacity following injury, pregnancy or other periods of reduced activity.

The aim is to help you understand your body, manage the demands of your sport and return to the activities you enjoy with confidence.

Menopause & Women’s Health Through Different Stages of Life

Women’s health continues to change throughout life, and menopause is one of these important stages.

My approach is to consider the whole woman and how changes during this time may affect movement, strength, physical capacity and musculoskeletal health.

My postgraduate Women’s Health training is helping me develop my knowledge in this area, alongside my background in osteopathy, sports rehabilitation and Applied Functional Science.

I am particularly interested in supporting women to remain active, maintain strength and movement and continue doing the things that are important to them through different stages of life.

A Developing Specialist Area of My Practice

Women’s Health is an area in which I am continuing to develop my clinical expertise through postgraduate study, clinical experience and ongoing professional education.

My aim is to develop a specialist Women’s Health service within Encourage Movement that provides thoughtful, individualised osteopathic care alongside appropriate rehabilitation and movement support.