Pubic pain in pregnancy can be difficult to deal with but it is not impossible, and it is should not something which you just have to live with. 

The pelvis can be described as being a circular shaped bone that goes all around and almost meets in the middle in front.  The two sides do not quite touch; there is a small gap between them connected by fibrocartilaginous tissue reinforced by several ligaments.  This area is called the Pubic Symphysis.  The design of this joint is essential to encourage stabilization of the pelvis while allowing a good range of motion.  

The Pubic Symphysis and the Sacro-Iliac joints (in the back of the pelvis) are especially important during pregnancy, as their flexibility allows the bones to move freely and to expand to help a baby fit through more easily during birth. 

In pregnancy it is very easy to lock one of your sacro-iliac joints – even a simple run can cause this. With time the muscles associated with the hip can go into spasm, which can cause lower back pain, movement restricted and eventually the result can be pubic pain – as the whole pelvis is mal-aligned.

The hormones released towards the end of pregnancy further encourage a loosening of the pelvis. This is essential to give  maximum space and flexibility, and to help make things easy for birth.

However, in some women, either because of excessive levels of hormones, extra sensitivity to hormones, or a pelvis that is out of alignment and/ or unstable, there is an increase of pressure on the joint. 

To summarise:  significant pubic pain is caused by the pelvic girdle area not moving as it is designed to as a result of either hormonal changes, misalignment of the pelvis, or a combination of both.  

The symptoms of SPD vary from person to person but can include:

• pubic pain
• pubic tenderness to the touch
• lower back pain, especially in the sacro-iliac (dimple)area
• general weakness and instability
• difficulty/pain rolling over in bed
• difficulty/pain with stairs, getting in and out of cars, sitting down or getting up, walking, putting on clothes, bending, lifting, standing on one foot, lifting heavy objects, etc.
• sciatica – irritation of nerve with pain down the leg
• “clicking” in the pelvis when walking
• waddling gait
• feeling like hip is out of place or has to pop into place before walking
• bladder dysfunction (temporary incontinence at change in position)
• knee pain or pain in other areas can sometimes also be a side-effect of pelvis problems

Pubic pain often comes on early in pregnancy, even as early as 12 weeks. Although pubic pain often does go away after pregnancy, many women find that it can linger usually diminished but still present. 

Hence it is important to treat this as soon as possible. It is essential to treat any malalignment or instability issues to prevent this from re-occuring in future pregnancies.

From experience of working for many years with pregnant women the Vitality osteopaths feel that this condition is probably primarily a problem of mal-alignment, although hormone levels and sensitivity to hormones may also play a role.  Many women have been treated and after one session have felt significant relief. An addition of pilates to pre and post natal care will also really help this condition.

Written by Ratna Vohora registered Osteopath

Ratna is available at Vitality Centre on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursday, Fridays and Saturdays. To book an appointment with her, please call reception on 020 8871 4677

The entire body benefits directly from massage including: the skin, muscles, circulatory system and lymphatic and nervous systems.

 Massage can help with the following complaints and conditions:

• Increases blood supply, oxygen intake and toxin release
• Muscle tone can be improved
• Can help to increase flexibility and mobility of muscles and joints
• Cramps and other muscular spasms can be alleviated
• Can be a form of exercise for those who are unable to participate in any physical activity
• Working muscle against the bone can help to clear toxic adhesions which may have built up and also will feed and nourish the bone itself and neighboring joints
• Will help to encourage growth and development of bones
• Can alleviate mild postural deformities
• Stimulates and improves circulatory system thereby boosting the immune system also stimulating lymphatic flow
• Can improve the condition of the lungs due to deeper breathing
• Skin conditions may improve due to increase blood flow and sebum production
• Digestion and elimination can be greatly improved
• Chronic neck, back and shoulder pain as well headaches can be relieved and treated
• Oedema or swelling can be significantly reduced
• Elevates stress and can be useful for combating depression, insomnia and lethargy

The qualified and experienced massage therapists at Vitality Centre are able to create unique massage treatments, suitable to your individual needs. There any many different types of massages you could choose from: deep tissue, stress reduction, remedial and more.

 It is so important to communicate with your therapist. Inform them of any injuries, trauma, chronic problems or pain, before you begin your massage. This will ensure you enjoy a relaxing, rejuvenating and healing massage. Your therapist is also able to offer you care advice and any necessary referals.

Massage is sutible for people of any age or condition. Pregnant women, Post-natal women, children, babies, the elderly…anyone and everyone!

Treatment Cost:
£45 – 60mins

If you have any questions or concerns, or book an appointment, please email or call Vitality Centre reception. We have massage avalible Mon-Sat

Please note we have gift vouchers (and gift advice) available to buy over the phone!

Ph: 020 8871 4677  Email: info@vitality-centre.co.uk

What is an Indian Head Massage?

An Indian Head Massage is a wonderful treatment, concentrating on shoulder, neck and head areas; relieving feelings of tension and stress. It soothes, comforts and rebalances the energy flow to produce a feeling of peace and tranquillity.

The treatment is based on the Ayurvedic healing system and has been enjoyed in India for thousands of years.The head is covered with a thin layer of muscle which tightens when we are tense, resulting in stiff neck and shoulders, headaches, feelings of anxiety, eyestrain, hair loss etc. By relaxing these muscles an Indian Head Massage can improve blood flow, alleviating these symptoms and others and relaxing your whole body.

What are the benifits of Indian Head Massage?

*Total relaxation
*Release of stress and tension
*Insomnia
*Release of headches/migraines
*Release of sinus congestion
*Improvement of blood supply especiallly to the scalp
*Hair and scalp nourishment
*Decrease muscle tension
*Boost the immune system
*Improve breathing

To enjoy the experience you simply sit back in a comfortable chair and allow the practitioner to work through your tension. For both men and women of all ages Indian Head Massage can be a most relaxing treatment and will leave you “floating”…

An Indian Head Massage is a wonderful GIFT IDEA! Gift vouchers available.

Treatment Cost: £40 – 45mins

It’s so important to take some time out to pamper your self while you’re pregnant, and having a massage is a great way to indulge while still taking care of your mind and body. 

Pregnancy massage is a relaxing, safe and relieving way to relax and ease pain during pregnancy.
We recommend you wait until you are more than 12 weeks to enjoy a massage and if you’ve had any complications, it’s best to make sure you ask your doctor before you book your massage.

Having regular massages during pregnancy can help you to maintain good health, relieve you of stress and worry, and help ease you through your pregnancy.

Pregnancy massage has many benefits, some of which include:

*Helps to ease backache, headaches, muscle aches and pains
*Decreases pain in the pelvic/hip area
*Increases circulation and improves skin elasticity which reduces stretch marks
*Reduces stress and anxiety, which will help to stabilize hormone levels
*Reduces fatigue and assists with digestion
*Helps to reduce swelling in places such as ankles, legs and hands

Vitality Centre have a special adjustable pregnancy massage couch with a supported hole for the stomach to fit, allowing you to lie on your front in comfort and support whilst you enjoy your special massage.

We have many massage therapists that have pregnancy qualifications and experience. They will always make you feel at ease and comfortable during your lovely treatment. Make sure you inform your therapist of any aches and pains, and they will do their best to adapt the treatment to suit your individual needs, as everyone’s body is different.

At Vitality Centre we have therapists available for pregnancy massage Monday to Saturday – please mention when booking that you are having a special pregnancy massage!

And why not ask about pregnancy reflexology? Many of our pregnancy massage trained therapists are also reflexology trained!

Gift vouchers are also available – pregnancy massage is a great present for expecting Mums!

Treatment Cost: 60mins – £45

If you have any questions regarding this treatment or anything else, please email us: info@vitality-centre.co.uk or give us a call on 020 8871 4677

Stress reduction massage is a treatment combining deep tissue massage and acupressure point work concentrating on the back, neck, shoulders and scalp. Leaves you feeling totally revitalised and rejuvenated.

A stress reduction massage – as the name suggests – aims to relieve your stress and ease your worldly worries via relaxing and soothing massage.

The massage can be soft or deeper tissue, depending on the individual needs. Speak to your therapist and let them know what you’d prefer and they can tailor your massage to suit you.

This massage also makes a wonderful pampering present – why not buy your loved one a gift voucher?

Treatment Cost: 60mins – £45

What is Osteopathy?

Osteopathy is a holistic (whole body) non-invasive, manual medicine that focuses on total body health by treating and strengthening the musculoskeletal framework – joints, muscles, ligaments and spine.
Its aim is to positively affect the body’s nervous, circulatory and lymphatic systems, as well as helping to treat specific problems.
Osteopathy can be useful in treating many conditions and can be beneficial to people of any age.

The Osteopaths at Vitality Centre:

Lily, Ratna and Maria use a variety of manual treatment techniques including deep tissue manipulation, mobilization, harmonics (a passive rhythmical mobilization), acupuncture and cranial osteopathy – this combination makes osteopathy at Vitality Centre a unique experience. It allows the treatment to be effective, deeply relaxing, remedial and suitable for people of all ages and conditions.

Osteopath can assist with many conditions including:

*Back pain, sciatica, joint pain/strain, muscular aches/pains
*Minor sporting injuries
*Rehabilitation
*Headaches
*Stress
*Conditions relating to pregnancy (such as nausea, heartburn, backache and SPD)
*Arthritis
*Mobility problems
*Shoulder and neck pain (eg: frozen shoulder)
*Respiratory conditions
*Abdominal conditions
*Postural and ergonomic advice (for the workplace)
*Sinus congestion & sinusitis
*Colic and sleep problems in babies
*Glue Ear
*Irritable bowel, IBS

The amount of treatment that a patient will require is dependent upon his or her characteristics and history.

The Vitality Centre team has had a lot of experience working with:

*Babies and toddlers (cranial)
*Teenagers with sporting injuries
*Children with behavioral issues
*Children who’ve been adopted
*People going through cancer
*Sporting injuries and soft tissue injuries (discs, RSI, headaches).

Cranial Osteopathy

Cranial osteopathy is a very gentle form of treatment that is safe for children and babies and used to treat the whole body. Additional advice on hydrotherapy, exercises and nutrition might be given. This unique treatment is tailored to suit each individual. The result is a reduction in pain and inflammation, an increase in mobility and co-ordination, and a balance of strength and total well-being.

Osteopathy is an established system of clinical diagnosis and manual treatment recognized by the British Medical Association. BUPA, PPP, AVIVA, PRU Health and other health insurance covers are accepted – please ask when booking, if your osteopath is covered by your specific insurance group.

Lily and Ratna are fully qualified and registered Osteopaths.

In FEB 2010, the osteopaths at Vitality Centre were awarded the second most loved osteopaths in the UK as voted by local people (www.thebestof.co.uk)

Treatment Cost:
(Adults) *£45 – 45mins *£55 – 60mins
(Babies/children up to 12yrs) *£40 – 45mins

UK Health Centre
registered

Ratna has trained with the Southerland Craniosacral Board and has been working with children with learning disabilities, autism and babies. She has also trained in dry needling with AAGH.

She assesses the posture of an individual, the way they walk, the movement of the joints and the function of their systems and nutritional status using diagnostic kinesiology. Her treatments include a combination of deep massage, mobilisation of the joints, manipulation, cranial osteopathy, nutritional, herbal and Kneippe hydrotherapy advice. She uses exercises based on yoga and Pilate’s to help stretch and strengthen key postural muscles. All of the above is tailored to the requirements of the individual.

Ratna has written nutritional articles for an Internet Company, appeared on Channel East TV as a Naturopath.

Ratna has specialised in pre and post natal care as well as having had experience working with midwives. This allows for care for mum’s from the start of their pregnancy, through out and then ratna works with babies. Some of the sessions can be tailored to teach partner’s how they can help treat their wife during pregnancy and assist during labour.

Cranial Osteopathy is a refined and subtle type of Osteopathic treatment.
It is a gentle yet extremely effective approach which, maybe used to treat
people of all ages, from birth to old age. The treatment is enjoyable and
deeply relaxing, and suitable for people of all ages.
Every cell in a healthy body, expresses a rhythmical movement that is fundamental for life. All the structures in the body, from the fluids to the bones and organs, follow their own particular pattern of movement.

This is described as the Cranial Rhythm, a very subtle movement of small amplitude.  In response to physical knocks or emotional stress the body’s tissues contract.

Any stresses, traumas or tension can be stored in the body and so reduce optimum function and future development of the body.

Cranial Osteopathy is a great way to improve and maintain general health, as well as assist with condition such as:
*Stress and Exhaustion
*Depression
*Insomnia
*Headaches
*Learning difficulties
*Back Pain
*Bereavement
*Chronic pain conditions and acute inflammatory injuries

Babies and children can benifit greatly from treatment. Cranial can assit with issues such as:
*Colic
*Sleeping Problems
*Crying/unsettled babies
*Eating Difficulties
*Flat Head
*Times of change eg: new siblings, nursery etc.
*Vaccinations
*Glue ear
*Eating/feeding
*Cord around neck at birth

Treatment Cost:
(Adults) *£45 – 45mins *£55 – 60mins
(Babies/children up to 12yrs) *£40 – 45mins
(Mother and Baby) *£80 – 90mins

Treatments can be claimed from all main insurance companies such as BUPA, AXA/PPP, Cigna – please ask if your therapist is registered before booking

A clicking jaw indicates that the TMJ is stiff, not moving as well as it should do. This causes all the muscles relating to the jaw and neck to tighten up. Some people confuse this with head aches, tooth pain or even eye strain.

The treatment to relieve this includes back and head massage, neck mobilisation, work to the jaw and sinus drainage. It is a unique combination leaving most people surprised as to how easy and possible it is to hold so much tension!

This treatment is suitable for people of all ages – it also a great treatment to experience if you have been having some dental or orthodontic treatments. The prolonged treatment with your mouth open whilst the specialist is carrying out their work can again cause the muscles to stiffen.

For this treatment please book a session with the experienced osteopaths who will ease you through the discomfort leaving you feeling relaxed, lighter and able to take a bite!

CranioSacral Therapy has a wide scope of conditions that it can alleviate including:

* Headaches & Migraines
* Digestive Problems
* Balances Hormone Levels
* Respiratory Problems
* Enhances Fertility
* Improves Posture
* Relieves Physical Pain and Tension
* Whiplash
* Increases Energy and Vitality
* Stiff Joints
* Enhances Brain Function & Co-ordination
* Sinusitis
* Improves the Immune System
* Depression
* Improves the Function of Organs
* Post Traumatic Stress
* Post-Surgical Dysfunction
* Balances the Emotions

What is CranioSacral therapy?

This profoundly effective, very safe and relaxing therapy, uses the bones of the cranium and sacrum as handles to access connective tissue deep within the body. Practitioners gently release restrictions in the craniosacral system to improve the functioning of the central nervous system, thus enhancing the overall function of the body.

What happens during a session?

Throughout the session the client remains fully clothed. Light pressure is applied to certain areas of the body to identify and release restrictions in the fascia (connective tissue). Because the pressure is so gentle, the tissues do not tighten up in defence and so allows for very deep tissue release.

Sensations during and after sessions include: pain relief, full recovery or relief of condition, improved posture, an increase in relaxation and wellbeing.

Where does it come from?

The CranioSacral system was discovered by Dr John Upledger in the 1970s during a surgical operation. He has expanded and developed his work based on the findings of osteopath Dr G Sutherland. This system is comprised of the cranial bones, spinal column, sacrum, the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord.

Treatment Cost: 

Treatment (1hr): £55
Treatment (45min): £45
Children up to 12yrs (45 min): £40
Mother & Baby (90 mins): £80