Madeleine is a New Zealand born Osteopath who qualified from the British School of Osteopathy with Distinction. She loves her job and works hard to provide the best treatment she can for each patient, with honest advice and giving careful attention to detail.

Madeleine believes osteopathy is an excellent first port of call for any aches and pains in the body, what ever your age and occupation. One can expect a thorough examination and treatment which addresses both the symptoms and the cause of your discomfort. She is more than happy to explain the anatomy and reasoning behind her treatment and help her patients understand their own bodies better.

Madeleine has worked with a variety of patients both young and old and particularly enjoys supporting expectant mothers through their journey, especially as she is a mum herself and knows how helpful osteopathy can be during and post pregnancy. At Fulham Osteopaths Madeleine is privileged to be part of a team which is focused on providing care to a high standard and always puts the patient first. The practice is very much part of the Fulham community and has an excellent reputation.

If you are not sure whether Osteopathy is the right option for you, do feel free to pop in or phone to have a chat with Madeleine or one of her colleagues. They will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Pregnancy

What a journey. It is easy to underestimate the intensity of the journey before one experiences it, and imagining what it will be like is near on impossible as each journey is so individual. It is impossible to predict quite how yours will be. I never expected morning sickness to be all day sickness, I never expected to feel so attached to my baby even before he was born, and mostly, I never expected that I would find “slowing down” such hard work! As an osteopath, I found all the anatomical changes happening to be fascinating, and I was constantly amazed with the body’s ability to adapt so quickly.

As an osteopath, I felt like I had an advantage being pregnant because I had so much knowledge of the body to help me along my journey. I’d like to share some tips that were useful to me, and may just help you too!

Keep moving!

Our body is designed to move, and with a little one growing inside us, and the marathon of birth ahead, it is all the more important to keep as flexible and fit as you can. I don’t mean starting an intense training regime or running for hours and hours. I mean making sure you get some fresh air and a walk every day that you feel able to. Everyone has a different level of activity that suits them and maintaining your fitness during pregnancy can make a big difference when it comes to labour. Towards the end, keeping mobile can help baby get lower into the pelvis and ready for birth. Simple exercise like swimming and walking keeps the joints and muscles well nourished and healthy. Ask your osteopath for some exercises to support the pelvis, spine and even neck and shoulders as your baby gets bigger. Pregnancy yoga is brilliant for gentle stretching and mobilising the whole body, as is osteopathy!

Trust your body!

If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. Our instincts are heightened in pregnancy, and we are perhaps more in tune with our body than ever. It can be a struggle between mind and body as the body tries to prepare for birth and motherhood, whilst growing a little human, and the mind tries to keep going like nothing is happening! Particularly if you are working or already have another child to think about, take some time to just slow down and enjoy the moment you’re in. Sometimes pregnancy isn’t such an enjoyable experience and that is ok to admit! Try to make sure you make the most of help and support that is available for you.

Get some treatment for aches and pains!

It is so common to struggle with discomfort when carrying around a little growing baby. In many cases, osteopathy can help! Your osteopath can assess how your body is adapting, and any areas which are not quite coping with the changes can be treated to encourage good range of movement and reduce pain. I was so grateful for treatment, particularly for my pelvis and low back.

Remember you are doing an amazing job

of nourishing and carrying your little one. However your journey of pregnancy is going, the end goal is healthy mother and baby. Make looking after yourself during pregnancy a priority, and know when you need to slow down. I struggled to realise when it was time to stop rushing around and allow more time to get to the station, make time for a bath and yoga class.