Osteopathy for pregnant ... Physical Therapy and other complementary therapies

Health and Wellness: Physical Therapy and other complementary therapies


  1. Bowen technique: a gentle therapy based on self-healing
  2. The morfoanalítica therapy, a novel method that treats body and mind while
  3. Chiropractic: What differentiates Osteopath?
  4. Osteopathy for children
  5. Physical therapy for the asthma
  6. Osteopathy for pregnant

Bowen technique: a gentle therapy based on self-healing

The Bowen technique is a manual therapy yet widespread in Spain. The essence of this technique is to stimulate the body to regain balance by itself. You have.
• The Bowen technique therapy Australian origin
• The principle of the Bowen technique: self - healing
• Benefits of Bowen technique
• The Bowen technique in practice
• Technical Bowen: indications and results
• How to find a therapist practicing the art Bowen?

The Bowen technique, a therapy of Australian origin

The Bowen technique has been developed by Australian Thomas Ambrose Bowen to help calm the attacks of asthma of his wife. Thomas realized that with good food and soft tissue manipulation, managed to relieve your symptoms. After studying anatomy, this self has been perfecting his technique through experimentation. Gradually, osteopaths, massage therapists and chiropractors have been interested by this therapy, which has not stopped evolving.

The principle of the Bowen technique: self-healing

The Bowen technique works key points of our body, some of them also worked in acupuncture . Elouan Le Texier, physiotherapist and osteopath trained in the Bowen technique, explains that the goal of stimulating these points is to send a clear message to the central nervous system. "The brain must feel that there is a problem and must act to treat", summarizes the expert. The Bowen technique is thus based on the principle of self - healing. "The body is a totally amazing machine, " he says.
In the medical field, this therapy has not yet very widespread. By far, the technique has been performed on a single study3 20 patients suffering adhesive capsulitis, also called frozen shoulder. After 5 sessions of technical Bowen, 70% of patients had a full recovery and 80% stopped feeling pain. Given the small number of subjects and the absence of a control group number, the results of this study do not constitute a true scientific proof of the effectiveness of the technique.

Benefits of Bowen technique

The Bowen technique is aimed at all types of patients, including newborns. It is based on a systemic approach to the human body, ie, he treats the person as a whole. When the patient comes for consultation, the session begins with a conversation focused on understanding the reason for his visit, but also their weaknesses.
"Even if the person comes from a sore back, I always try to discover all its weaknesses, so that the points that I use are appropriate. Perhaps the central nervous system acting earlier about a problem of insomnia or constipation, which on a problem back, for example, " says the therapist.
In the next session, the patient can be improved in different areas than expected. Therefore, the Bowen Technique does not seek to address a particular problem, but to stimulate the body to start up their own recovery mechanisms. Thus, the method works musculoskeletal, gastrointestinal, respiratory, urinary system etc. "The scope is full", continues Elouan Le Texier.

The Bowen technique in practice

A gentle but persistent technical
The Bowen technique is considered a gentle method. The practice is based on manipulations small, simple and very concrete, which require extensive experience with touch. The therapist locate a tendon, muscle or ligament and slightly push with his thumb for 20 or 30 seconds. This gesture, to be kept forlong time, can even cause unpleasant feelings. " It is also what we want, because we want to create you some discomfort to the brain", says Elouan Le Texier.
Elena Fuentes, also physiotherapist and osteopath formed in the Bowen technique, explains that "the specialist must try not to cause too much pain when manipulating the points, so that the patient does not get too tense and did not provoke a defensive reaction" .
A session held from calm
The Bowen technique is practiced with full confidence: the session takes place in silence, the patient closeseyes and cap will not be cold. "The body should not receive more stimuli than finger specialist. This causes the message is sent to the brain more intense, " he continues Elouan Le Texier. "The patient must be able to focus on their sensations, " adds Elena Fuentes.
Between each point, the specialist pauses for at least two minutes, time enough for the brain to activate the necessary corrections after being stimulated. During this pause, bodily reactions can be multiple and need to wait for the specialist run out before acting. "This pause can last up to 15 minutes. For example, if the patient is put to mourn. During this time, anything can happen, and this is essential for the meeting to succeed. Everyone reacts differently", Le Texier Elouan continues.
A session lasts between 30 minutes and 1 hour, especially dependingthe time of rest between each point stimulated.
What effects expected after a session?
Elena Fuentes explains that you can see varied reactions among patients after a session. "Some people are exhausted, others, however, feel full of energy. Discomfort may also appear after the session. However, it is pain that will help restore homeostasis of the body, or what is the same, balance ", says the specialist. It should be borne in mind thatis advisable not to massage over the 2 days of the session, avoid sports and, finally, apply not neither hot nor cold.

Bowen technique: indications and results

The Bowen technique can be used to accelerate recovery from illness, injury or surgery. It also helps relieve joint or muscle pain, for example, in the case of fibromyalgia . On the other hand, it can also act in improving digestive problems (constipation, diarrhea, etc.), respiratory (allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, etc.) or gynecological ( painful menstruation, fertility problems, etc.).
According Elouan Le Texier, the Bowen technique gives results that could not before with other techniques. It estimated that approximately 10% of patients are not responsive to this therapy (especially when highly stressed), 80% observed improvement and another 10% of cases the results are "surprising". This depends on the patient, the therapist, but also problems to deal with .

How to find a therapist who practices Bowen technique?

Bowen therapist formation consists of four modules distributed in 4 days over 12 and 18 months. You can follow this training professionals such as physiotherapists, osteopaths and massage therapists to complement their practice.

The morfoanalítica therapy, a novel method that treats body and mind while

has used the visit to Pontevedra creator of Morfoanalítica therapy, fisioterapueta and French psychoanalyst Serge Peyrot, to explain to us what exactly this discipline and how we can help in overcoming moments of extreme stress or distress.
© Sofía Valiño
Indeed, during his stay in the Galician city, the therapist gave a lecture focused on the impact of the economic crisis on mental and physical level and strategies following the morfoanalítica therapy to guide and accompany the patient in their recovery both psychic and body.

How and when he realized that traditional physical therapy offered a biased and incomplete view of trauma that negatively affected their treatment?

Actually, I quickly realized, while doing physiotherapy studies. These studies combine a theoretical part and a practical part and, like in medical school, we went through several departments (orthopedic, children, breathing ...) and although quite understand the foundation of these works, he also saw that these were the different elements very isolated.
At that time there was a very famous book in Europe, the body has its reasons of Thérèse Bertherat. Bertherat had formed with Mezières, founder of the famous method that bears his name. So I decided to contact her Mezières and formarme as Bertherat had

In many of his interviews talking about the physiotherapist Françoise Mezières as a cornerstone in their professional development. But that part of its methodology did not convince him, did we could explain their similarities and differences?

Convergence is discovering just what I was looking for : globality, ie, not treating a body part in isolation, but treat the body as a whole. Thus, although one person suffered spinal or shoulder or knee, it had a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms leading to a person to have a symptom. Mezières first offered me this vision globally to treat the person, whether the symptom is manifested in a particular region.
However, when applied, some patients had either intense emotional reactions, either contained emotions or feelings. People began to speak spontaneously as a need to share, and I was not prepared for this emotional dimension, although I understood intuitively that part of the work, as a natural consequence of what we were transforming body level. I realized then that I needed a psychological training and, after experiencing various types of therapies, considered that the most appropriate was the psychoanalysis.

I morfoanalista understand that a therapist should possess certain knowledge in the field of psychology, or more specifically of psychoanalysis. I imagine that for this reason turned to a psychiatrist and psychoanalyst Jean Sarkissoff Swiss, is it?

Effectively. In my personal quest, not only as a therapist but also as a patient, I found the psychoanalyst Jean Sarkissoff, of which I became a student later. Sarkissoff and then understood psychoanalysis differently, since in his personal evolution had concluded that the patient needed to be touched, not only should work with the patient on a verbal level, but needed to touch him, and although he did not use any of the morfoanalítica techniques we use in therapy, he found this a big step.

What are the diseases then treated with better results morfoanalítica disease therapy and what the benefits are not expected?

I think it's hard to tell what diseases are not so positive benefits, it might be easier to define what kind of better patient receiving therapy. Most people who try admit that their physical symptoms have any relationship with the psychological part, have a certain awareness, and also want to have it, that the symptom is a manifestation of psycho - emotional state.
However, although most patients are psychosomatic, there are also patients prevalence of psychological distress (anxiety, bulimia, depression ...) with. In this case, the patient feels the need to be addressed not only verbally but also corporately. Generally, it is people who have previously experienced other methods, especially, only verbal methods.

Could you then explain what exactly morfoanalítica therapy session? How combine physical therapy and psychoanalysis?

The consultation is a tatami since most of body work is done on the floor. Usually the session starts standing with clothing that allows access to the body, this is the part awareness of sensations (balance, tension, posture ...) where the therapist through questions, but also touches, helps the patient to come contact feelings, it is an awakening of sensitivity to contact the body and feelings of self.

Morfoanalítica talk about therapy as a form of self-knowledge, where the reorganization of memories is revealed as a key process, what technique is used to access the patient's psyche and guide you in this process?

Memory is precisely due to constant contact with the body and feelings of self. Most of the time the person has no contact with his body memory spontaneously, especially if it is cut off from his feelings, as it happens in most cases, in part, to survive in this tough society. Our job is to help people reconnect with the sensitivity and sensuousness and as this is a natural process, the memory that is contained in the muscles and tissues simply emerges.

In your opinion, what difference the therapy morfoanalítica other disciplines also include emotional or psychological dimension of patient treatments?

As far as I know, first integrating three main aspects that are the work of the physical body, work the body sensory and emotional body work. This integration is essential in recovering the body - mind balance. Many methods work very well any of these parts in isolation, but we work all these dimensions at once, in one session.
We are reproducing natural chains such as children, it is, so to speak, and reconnect with the natural ability to transform a bodily experience in sensation, and this sensation in sentiment in all this thinking and articulate during a session.

You explain that the economic crisis has repercussions on our health, both mental and physical level. Have you experienced in your opinion an increase in patients in consultations due to the current situation?

No patients increased, but of ailments. Before the crisis, some people are more prepared than others to live in vulnerability to withstand greater pressures, put another way, if the person does not have a well-established psicopostural unit, the body will manifest warning signs.

How do you see the future of this discipline?

If we look at the evolution of modern society, which is increasingly cerebral and which is increasingly using mobile, computer, tablet ... I think the need to treat body and mind simultaneously is becoming stronger and man modern looking for this type of therapy that integrates body treatment with psicoemocional.
It is a more modern therapy, which is better suited to today 's society. Young people want something more concrete, more direct access to the body and promotes the realization while working equally emotional part.

Chiropractic: What differentiates Osteopath?

The chiropractor, who often confused with the osteopath, claims an internationally recognized training title and protected by law, which entitles you to a larger armamentarium and, therefore, a greater scope.
• The 3 main causes of back pain
• Chiropractor and Osteopath: how do they differ?
• How is a chiropractic session unfolds?
Lumbago, sciatica, neuralgia Cervicobrachial ... Chiropractic is not limited only to functional problems (ie, related to the functioning of an organ), but can also be applied to pathological problems (related to severe organ damage). Caroline Lambert, Chiropractic in Paris and vice president of the French Chiropractic Association, clarifies what is chiropractic, alternative therapy booming, and explains the differences with osteopathy.

The 3 main causes of back pain

Back pain affects almost everyone, since it is estimated that 80% of the population will have some back problems throughout life. So is the main reason why people decide to consult a chiropractor. As Caroline Lamberte tells us there are three ways of getting hurt on the back:
1. A rigid posture, which can cause muscle stiffness in one or more areas of the back: a long drive, overnight sleeping mouth down a tree planted in front of the computer screen ... and lumbago whole day is about to be noticed.
2. A quick movement of the back (the famous "wrong move"), which is converted immediately into a muscle strain.
3. And finally, repeating movements and excessive weight, affecting the intervertebral discs and increase pressure on them, thus enhancing the risk of a herniated disc .

Chiropractor and osteopath: how do they differ?

Although chiropractic and osteopathy are two alternative methods of treatment, the fact is that usually advised to treat back pain. "The chiropractic is more focused on the nervous systems and osteoarticular while osteopathy addresses visceral and cranial systems", Caroline Lambert accurate.
In fact, the authorizations are not the same and they recognize certain decrees. "The osteopath is entitled to treat what is functional and what chiropractic is functional and pathological, " he explains chiropractic. Unless it is contraindicated, a patient suffering sciatica or a herniated disc, for example, can come to the clinic for chiropractic, but not a Osteopath. Similarly "only the chiropractor is entitled to perform acts of manipulation (" crackles ") in cervical, as long as there is no contraindication certificate" points out Caroline Lambert.

How is a chiropractic session unfolds?

A chiropractic session always begins with a series of questions to the patient regarding their condition and history (falls, accidents ...), but also on their conditions of life and work: practice sports, sedentary work, work in front of a screen (fixed or portable), load weight ... Then the chiropractor proceeds to a visual assessment to study the patient's posture, both sitting and moving (head posture, balance the pelvis, shoulder alignment ...). Then palpate some areas to distinguish any eventual muscle tension or blockages that may explain these pains.
Chiropractic treatment is mainly based on acts of manipulation of the spine and mobilizing the joints. But the work of the chiropractor is not limited to a single treatment, but is intended to prevent relapse through advice on posture, nutrition and quality of life, reports Caroline Lambert. "Chiropractic is to correct dysfunction (or subluxation) of the spine, but mostly tries to educate the patient about what you postures avoid. Chiropractors focus on prevention. "

Osteopathy for children

Osteopathy, used mostly in adults, it is also useful in the treatment of children and adolescents, especially in key growth periods. His objectives? Detect and correct any imbalances.
In the same way that this manual medicine effectively acts as a cure in certain treatments, is also a good remedy in prevention. Reason that becomes a discipline indicated for children and adolescents at key moments in their development. has spoken to the specialist osteopathy (DO, for its acronym in English), Christophe Buisson, lecturer in pediatrics and posturology of the School of Osteopathy Paris and head of the Necker Enfants Malades Hospital in the same city.

A balance made step by step

Start by taking your child to the osteopath once a year for a global balance is a good starting point. However, certain times of life demand greater vigilance and attention. From the moment the child is born you can start tracking to check that delivery has not generated any trauma to the baby (especially cervical). At 6 months, a simple visit will control their psychomotor development and as it starts to walk, the osteopath may help you adopt good posture. "The stage of the first steps is essential as the child begins to move the pelvis, knee joints and feet. Restore balance to the body can help you walk more easily, "explains Christophe Buisson.

Osteopathy at 2, 5 and 7 years

The child grows and, inadvertently, develops postural reflexes that will ensure a better balance and greater coordination in their movements.
"At about 2 years, the reflection between the ear and spine reaches maturity. At 5, improves communication between the ear and eye, and 7, the plantar arch and develop foot captors. During these stages, there may be some blockages. At first, the body adapts causing pain manifest years later. Hence the interest of regular monitoring, "adds osteopath.

The importance of monitoring and teeth back in adolescence

Backaches or members are frequent in adolescents who are growing. The sooner these are identified pain or discomfort, more resources will the osteopath to intervene and prevent them . Osteopathic physician work rebalance the body besides fostering collaboration with orthopedist, pediatrician, physiotherapist, podiatrist or dentist. "A misfit jaw may have an impact on the cervical and lumbar and vice versa. Osteopathy, thanks to the comprehensive approach of the body, can help detect the source of pain besides just treating the symptoms. "
Teenagers with a dental appliance or complain back as a result of the heavy daily burden of school supplies should not hesitate to ask a question.

Osteopathy chronic infections in children

As is the case with adults, osteopathy is interested in children who have frequently ENT infections (otitis, nasopharyngitis, sinusitis ...) or lung infections. "Osteopathy is not a substitute in any case the treatments proposed by the pediatrician or family doctor. In case of repeated bronchitis, apart from those caused by allergies, the osteopath will seek a possible restriction of movement midriff. In case of a positive diagnosis, the patient may have problems when expectorating, favoring the installation of infectious agents. The specialist will attempt the patient to regain mobility of the body so that it regains its balance. "
Finally, if you are afraid of manipulations the osteopath can do, you should know that there are many delicate osteopathic techniques in 1 or 2 sessions allow harmonizing the body of your little without pain or "crunches".

Physical therapy for the asthma

Asthma is a reversible obstructive airway variable intensity can yield spontaneously or effect of drug treatment. Today, asthmatics can greatly improve their quality of life with the help of physiotherapy.
• What asthma is that? How does it occur?
• What symptoms can give an asthmatic crisis?
• How can rehabilitation help in this condition?
• How do we know if we perform the rehabilitative technique correctly?
• The importance of muscle work during breathing

What asthma is? How does it occur?

The origin of this dysfunction is multifactorial: there is a hereditary component, an endocrinologist origin, certain psychological component, weather conditions can also be part of the blame; and also it can be triggered before the physical exercise, or anxiety problems.

What symptoms can give an asthmatic crisis?

During an asthma attack episodes of dyspnea (difficulty breathing), wheezing (high - pitched sound due to the narrowing of the airways), cough (especially at night or newly raised) and chest tightness occur.
The clinical course of the disease is characterized by periods of remission and periods of crisis long - term impact on the conditions of the organism.

How rehabilitation can help in this condition?

Respiratory rehabilitation in asthmatic patients provides a decrease in symptoms and increased exercise tolerance during activities of daily living, and prevent complications caused by bronchial hypersecretion produced after the crisis, avoiding chest deformities, improve elasticity pulmonary and maintain good mechanical ventilation.
Rehabilitation treatment is performed when the patient is well, trying to prevent crises and preparing to overcome new crisis if they occurred.
As one of the consequences of acute asthma is inflammation of the bronchi, which in turn decreases the internal capacity of these and increases the production of discharge, the patient must learn to cough properly to clear secretions effectively without get tired.
There are instrumental techniques that help clean the airways, either by vibration or by pressure. One of these instruments is the Flutter. Its operation is simple: it exhales through said apparatus, which creates a vibration within, allowing removal flow and an equal distribution of air in the lungs. Vibration can be performed manually by placing the patient in a position to facilitate the draining and percutiendo with cupped hands on the chest drain segment. None of these procedures cause pain.
There are different body positions that favor the secretions from the lungs to drain passively. These positions, obviously, vary with the lung segment is to be drained (there is no single position). After coughing assisted manner the therapist will indicate which is the position to be maintained for several minutes to facilitate the mobilization of mucus in the bronchi situated, facing it pass into the trachea, and then into the mouth.

How do we know if we perform the rehabilitative technique correctly?

PEF (peak flow meter for home use) serves to measure the maximum flow achieved during a forced exhalation. During the sessions the patient must be informed as used. Thus, we get that he values the proper progression of his rehabilitation from his own home.

The importance of muscle work during breathing

By altering the respiratory mechanism, the muscles surrounding the bronchi constrict causing increased airway resistance and an uneven distribution of inspired air. This is of particular concern during physical exercise, time with compensatory intent, the brain increases the ventilatory process (takes more breaths to get the oxygen needed) and this means increased energy expenditure. In a healthy person, oxygen consumption required to ventilate the lungs is less than 5% of the total consumption of the body. During a crisis the rate may exceed 25%, which can lead to muscle wasting in a few minutes.
This whole process can, in the long term, affect the respiratory muscles (diaphragm, intercostal muscles, lats, sternocleidomastoid) and joint mobility ribs, cervical and dorsal vertebrae.
Physiotherapist teach the patient to relax the upper chest and correctly use the diaphragm (major muscle in the respiratory mechanism and which separates the chest cavity from the abdominal). They can, for this purpose, make passive techniques (physiotherapist who moves the different tissues in this case) on different soft tissues involved in breathing face to ensure adequate mechanical ventilation.
It is typical of asthma difficulty in the expiratory phase of breathing, with little or no detriment to inspiration. Hence in treating the objective is to help the patient to empty the lungs, elastificando the toracopulmonares tissues and increasing the time and ability to expiration. In addition guidelines given to improve posture and prevent chest deformities caused by poor ventilatory mechanics.
As we have seen, physical exercise is the main component in rehabilitation programs; however, it is easy for some asthmatics not made for fear of a new crisis.
Other relevant factors are the emotional (anxiety can increase bronchospasm). In that sense, they teach people suffering from asthma relaxation techniques that enable them to have self - control of the crisis and achieve thus reduce anxiety, fear and improve sleep quality.

Osteopathy for pregnant

Through respectful and careful palpation of the patient, osteopathy responds to the growing need for a global "accompaniment" of the pregnant woman and baby. It is defined as a form of thought and healing; elaborates its fundamental approach to health and pathology from the "systems theory".
Osteopathy are acting on different body systems: visceral, respiratory, joint, and cranial circulation. The goal isallow the personmaintain or regain a state of physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.
Osteopathic manipulation uses natural resources of the body: the manual processing is always applied in respect to physiology. Reactivates the movement and rhythm of the systems to be treated. The technical movement is smooth and, at the same time necessary, adapted to the various dysfunctions detected.

Why resort to osteopathy?

In each trimester of pregnancy, the woman 's body must adapt to a osteoarticulares and hormonal changes. Bone frame (pelvis and spine) should be adjusted to the increasing volume of the uterus. For example, a modification of the center of gravity is observed.
During pregnancy, the osteopathic monitoring aims to harmonize the body.

Symptoms Curing osteopathy

If the connective tissue and osteoarticular (bone, tendons, ligaments and muscles) resists this movement of transformation pregnant women living in different stages of pregnancy certain symptoms may appear. These can be treated
by osteopathy provided they are not associated with a pregnancy complication. Therefore, it is important to first consult a gynecologist.

Before pregnancy

When the woman expected to become pregnant, it may be helpful to consult an osteopath to prepare your body to accommodate a new life and prevent small problems that sometimes arise over this period.

During the first quarter

Osteopathy can help in case of nausea, gastroesophageal reflux, vomiting, dizziness and abdominal odors. Pains along the spine and headaches are also relieved by this gentle medicine.

During the second and third trimesters

Pain in the spine, sciatica, constipation and heavy legs are some of the symptoms the osteopath can treat. This medicine is also useful if you have to stay in bed for long periods.

The childbirth

Work on the pelvis and ligamentous pelvis aims to promote natural childbirth. Thus the steópata checks the pelvis is mobile (mobility of the sacroiliac joint) and the baby does not come up against a rigid structure; thus it is facilitating its passage through the pelvis.

After delivery

In the weeks following birth, the mother may suffer some discomfort: urinary problems, bad posture, back pain, relaxed perineum or baby blues. Osteopathy can help cure these symptoms. In addition, it is advisable to visit the osteopath time after birth to make sure that the body has regained its balance.
This soft medicine may also be helpful in relieving babies, particularly if suffering cranial deformations associated with pregnancy or childbirth, sleep disturbances, regurgitation or obstruction of the lacrimal duct.

How the consultation take place?

The consultation takes place in several stages. Initially, the osteopath makes numerous questions to the patient. It reports its gynecological history.
In fact, osteopathic treatment is always done in collaboration with classical gynecological follow.
The osteopath then proceeds to clinical examination, based on evidence of mobility: see how the body, joint by joint, and then a whole moves. Usually, clinical examination is carried out lying. Whether osteopathic session focuses on the skull, abdomen or bone frame, the techniques used always the pregnant woman and the baby adapt; movements are always soft without brusqueness. During the consultation, the doctor may also teach the patient some exercises, they practiced regularly, may be of help.
Osteopaths assign a prominent place to the human factor and is particularly interested in what the mother feels and needs. The number of sessions varies depending on the course of pregnancy, but generally three sessions are required.