Pregnancy

Bowen Therapy plays an important and integral role as the mum-to-be’s posture changes through pregnancy.  The pelvis tilts more anteriorly and the lower back curve becomes more pronounced.  These changes place additional stress on the spine and pelvic joints and can result in lower back pain or sciatica. The spine and pelvis of an expectant mother are particularly vulnerable because of the stress of carrying an unborn baby.

Pregnancy can create problems and exacerbate existing ones.  Ensuring the pelvis is correctly aligned through pregnancy will not only help to alleviate back pain and sciatica, as well as tension in the shoulders and neck, it will also help ensure that there is no restricted blood flow to the baby and uterus and neural pathways are unhindered to the uterine and pelvic area.  This will also help alleviate digestive problems such as constipation, haemorrhoids, acid reflux etc.  Correct alignment to the pelvis is also very beneficial for giving birth.

Hormonal changes make the pelvis suppler during the latter part of pregnancy. This is when terrible back aches seem to intensify, and appear more frequently as the baby gets heavier.  The instability of the pelvis can lead to other strains being felt in the spine and supporting muscles and ligaments. The process of childbirth puts tremendous stresses and strains on the musculoskeletal system (spine, pelvis, supporting muscles, ligaments).

Babies in the womb respond to the sense of touch and pressure through external body work which leads to changes in fetal activity and heart rate. When mother is relaxed her brain triggers the release of chemicals which travels through the maternal and fetal circulations, which is now connected by the umbilical cord connecting the unborn baby’s feelings with mother.  When Mum is calm and balanced baby is able to grow peacefully in tune with her own biological rhythms.

A unique benefit of the Bowen Therapy is that it can be received through light clothing, lying on one side or sitting, what ever is most comfortable for the Mum.  When receiving a Bowen treatment it is also common for the Mum to say that she can feel the baby moving about in response.  Some Mum’s find that 1-4 treatments is sufficient to help alleviate symptoms during pregnancy.  Others find that a treatment every 3-4 weeks keeps them in optimum form.