Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) is hands-on medical care that may help ease muscle and joint discomfort and improve movement. At Mulberry OBGYN, Andrew Nyein, DO, can assess whether OMT fits your needs during pregnancy or after birth, alongside your obstetric care and any pelvic floor physical therapy you receive.
Care that begins with an examination
An osteopathic structural examination looks at posture, movement, muscle tenderness, and joint mobility. We also review your symptoms and medical history to determine whether pain comes from the muscles and joints or needs another type of evaluation. Treatment is selected for your stage of pregnancy, delivery history, and recovery.
During pregnancy
Changes in posture, weight distribution, and joint support can contribute to back and pelvic discomfort. After an assessment, we may consider OMT for muscle or joint symptoms such as lower-back aching, pelvic girdle discomfort, or neck and upper-back tension. The goal is to make walking, sitting, sleeping, and changing positions more comfortable.
After childbirth
Recovery after a vaginal or cesarean birth can include back, neck, and shoulder strain from feeding, carrying, and lifting your baby. When appropriate, OMT can be part of a plan to address these symptoms. Timing and technique depend on how you’re healing, including any incision or perineal injury. We’ll evaluate new or worsening pain before treatment.
What the research tells us
Studies suggest OMT may help some patients with pregnancy-related or persistent postpartum low-back pain. In a large pregnancy trial, OMT performed better than usual care alone, but not better than a comparison treatment involving similar hands-on attention. Postpartum studies are smaller, and more research is needed. Benefits vary; OMT does not guarantee pain relief or a particular birth outcome.
OMT complements routine obstetric care. It is not an established method to induce labor, turn a baby, or prevent a cesarean delivery.
Learn more
American Osteopathic Association — About OMT
Hensel and colleagues — PROMOTE pregnancy trial
Schwerla and colleagues — Postpartum low-back pain trial
Techniques and Your Appointment
Here are examples of techniques your physician may choose after examining you. You may receive only some of them. A trained clinician performs them. They aren’t instructions for treating yourself or for a partner to try at home.
Soft tissue techniques
Your physician applies gentle pressure, stretching, or kneading to the muscles around an uncomfortable area. This may be used for muscle tension in the back, neck, or shoulders.
Myofascial release
The physician uses slow, sustained pressure or guided movement on muscles and the connective tissue around them. The aim is to ease restrictions and make movement more comfortable.
Muscle energy
You gently activate a muscle against the physician’s controlled resistance, then relax. This approach may be used for certain movement restrictions. We adapt the effort and position to your comfort and healing.
Counterstrain
The physician supports an area in a comfortable position while monitoring a tender spot. You stay relaxed while the position is held, and then the physician slowly guides you back toward a neutral position.
Gentle joint mobilization
The physician uses slow, controlled movements within a comfortable range to address stiffness. Techniques and positions are adjusted for pregnancy-related joint laxity and postpartum recovery. OMT doesn’t require forceful movement.
Your comfort and consent
Tell us about pregnancy complications, bleeding, recent surgery or tears, blood thinners, injuries, and any activity restrictions. We may use side-lying or supported seated positions. You can request a chaperone, decline a technique, or stop at any time. Tell us immediately if you feel pain, dizziness, numbness, or other new symptoms.
Temporary soreness, bruising, or a brief increase in symptoms can happen. We’ll talk through the risks of the treatment we propose and the alternatives. Contact us for persistent or worsening symptoms. Follow only the home exercises recommended for you.
Learn more
AACOM — Glossary of Osteopathic Terminology
American Osteopathic Association — OMT consent and possible side effects
OMT Alongside Pelvic Floor Therapy
How the services work together
OMT can address muscle and joint discomfort affecting your back, hips, ribs, or other areas. Pelvic floor physical therapy focuses on pelvic floor strength, relaxation, coordination, bladder and bowel symptoms, and return to activity. The two may overlap in hands-on care, so your plan should reflect what both clinicians find.
For example, a patient with back pain and urine leakage may receive OMT for a musculoskeletal source of back discomfort while working with a pelvic floor therapist on bladder control and muscle coordination. OMT does not replace a pelvic floor assessment or your therapist’s home program. Whether to combine them is decided case by case, and combining them is not guaranteed to give better results.
Postpartum care at Mulberry
Our Postpartum Pelvic Floor Recovery care package, included in Concierge OB care, includes an osteopathic structural examination and OMT when clinically appropriate. When pelvic floor physical therapy is part of your plan, we coordinate your care with your pelvic floor physical therapist. Physical therapy is provided and billed separately by your physical therapist. You may choose any physical therapist. If you’re interested, please reach out. We can go over appointments and fees before you enroll.
Share your therapist’s recommendations and any restrictions with us so we can coordinate your care. Your follow-up schedule depends on your symptoms, healing, and response. You can talk with our office separately about prenatal OMT appointments and fees.
Symptoms that need medical attention
Seek urgent medical care for severe or worsening abdominal or pelvic pain, fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, severe headache or vision changes, a painful swollen leg, or postpartum bleeding that soaks a pad in an hour or less. During pregnancy, contact your OB team promptly for bleeding, leaking fluid, or reduced fetal movement. Don’t wait for an OMT or physical therapy appointment.
Call 911 for chest pain, severe trouble breathing, fainting, or heavy bleeding with weakness or dizziness.
Contact Us
Mulberry OBGYN
139 Centre St Ph 118, New York NY 10013
646-872-2773 | info@mulberryobgyn.com