Osteopathy for women’s health

The female body is unique and requires a specialised response.  Besides, women have diverse health needs, not only due to their anatomy but also the lifestyle factors that are unique to women.

Osteopaths can be such a valuable part of your “wellbeing team” (Midwife, Nutritionist/Naturopath, Family, Friends etc). There is so much space for osteopathy to have a positive, influential and empowering effect on women’s health issues. Here are just a few areas where osteopathy for women may be able to assist and be an awesome part of your wellbeing team.

One of the main things that sets women apart from men anatomically is the reproductive system. Women, during their childbearing years, will experience repeated menstrual symptoms which can include lower back pain, hip pain and discomfort, bloating, abdominal cramping, leg pain, headaches and breast tenderness. Musculoskeletal pain can occur during the cycle due to attachment of ovaries, fallopian tubes and uterus to the bony structures of the pelvis. With this in mind, any hormonal changes that affect the reproductive system will also impact on the musculoskeletal attachments.

Osteopathy for women can assist with these symptoms by easing tension, promoting circulation and maintaining good range of movement.

Did you know that up to 80% of women deal with period pain at some point? For some, it’s a mild inconvenience, but for others, it can be intense enough to disrupt daily life. Often, this pain comes with bloating and heavy periods, making everything feel even more overwhelming.

These symptoms could be due to fluid congestion in the pelvic area, leading to painful uterine cramps or fluid build-up.

Osteopathy for women in Toronto offer relief by improving how fluids move in the pelvic area and enhancing muscle, organ, and joint movement. An osteopath can also boost blood flow to the uterus by ensuring the diaphragm functions properly, which helps prevent intense cramping and pain.

During treatment, an osteopath focuses on relieving tension in the body, which can help alleviate other discomforts you might be experiencing.

One of the most taxing processes on a women’s body is pregnancy and childbirth and women often experience lower back pain, groin pain, pelvic pain, postural issues, sciatica, upper back and neck pain, rib cage pain, headaches and carpal tunnel, to name a few. Osteopathic treatment can offer a gentle, safe and drug-free solution for pregnant women to support movement and adaptation for the women’s body, during a time of great change. Treatment can include gentle stretching, joint mobilisation, subtle balancing, soft-tissue massage and work to help achieve balance and flexibility within the body.

Visceral osteopathy is a gentle yet profound approach within osteopathic medicine, focusing on the internal organs (viscera) and their connective tissues. For women’s health, this method is especially valuable, addressing various conditions and enhancing overall well-being.

By examining, identifying, and treating the organs to improve movement and function, visceral osteopathy addresses problems caused by an organ not working properly. It goes beyond helping with constipation and bloating to also provide relief for conditions like GERD and joint pain, among others.

Yes. You can book your assessment and treatment without a doctor’s referral. If you have a physician guiding your care, we can work with them to coordinate your care. Note that some insurance companies require a referral for forms of care such as physiotherapy and osteopathy for reimbursement.

It’s important to remember that osteopathic manual practitioners are not medical doctors and do not diagnose. We are manual therapists who work alongside doctors to reduce pain and improve life quality. All new and unusual pains should be assessed by a licensed medical physician as they can both diagnose the issue at hand and order imaging if needed. Symptoms which are red flags will be referred back to your primary care physician.