OMT uses gentle, physician-applied techniques tailored to each stage of pregnancy. Many Houston patients share they feel more mobile, experience fewer aches, and rest more comfortably after sessions. Results vary, and Dr. Payel Banik, DO, will customize care based on your health history and goals.

As your center of gravity shifts, your back and hip muscles take on extra work. The hormone relaxin also loosens ligaments in the back and pelvis to prepare for delivery—which may contribute to pubic symphysis discomfort and low-back pain. Our physician-led, hands-on care aims to reduce strain patterns and support easier movement.

Imagine your uterus like a hot-air balloon. The “ropes” that help suspend it are your round ligaments. Sudden position changes (rolling in bed, standing quickly) can “tug” on these ligaments and create brief, sharp pain. Gentle osteopathic techniques are designed to ease surrounding tension, and many patients report fewer jolts as their bodies adapt.

Yes. Dr. Banik offers specialized cranial osteopathy for infants and gentle, supportive care during pregnancy and postpartum. Parents often share that their babies feed, sleep, or settle more easily after sessions, and expectant mothers describe feeling less tension as their bodies adapt.

1. You thought it would go away on it’s own – but it didn’t
2. You are looking for credible healthcare alternatives – but just don’t know what is out there
3. You tried other healthcare professionals in the past, but nothing they said or did seemed to help

If any of these have happened to you – we would love to help you.

Download the guide to get some solid advice. Our goal is to help you make the right decision about what to do next.

Introducing 25 Tips to reduce pains, c-sections, and improve recovery.  The email ebook for pregnant and postpartum mothers who want to start walking, sleeping, or sitting down.

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• The 9 page PDF ebook with 25 actionable steps to help you feeling better starting tomorrow

• Solutions to 9 problems most pregnant moms never knew existed  

• 5 steps to prevent a C-section you might not know about

Download now for FREE.  

Plus: Get exclusive access to a private 30 minute taster session with one of Houston’s Top Doctors, where we can discover each other and personally craft your personalized plan of care FREE.

Most mothers I meet prioritize everything else above their own needs, hoping their problems will just get better on their own. But the truth is, without action, we secretly know change will not happen. We, as mothers, feel guilty when putting ourselves first.  

But is putting yourself first really that selfish? I understand first hand how difficult it can be to ask for help. Many of my pregnant patients feel this way too. I have found that when I am better taking care of myself, I am better able to care for others. I have so many moms who bring me their child first and tell me, “I wish I knew about you when I was pregnant.” YOU are important. You DESERVE to have your needs addressed too!

My personal experiences as a mom and osteopathic physician are why I love providing help and hope, supporting you through YOUR story during these emotional times. Your journey and obstacles are understood and accepted. Imagine if life were different and you were able to get back to what you love?  

In fact, we often see women years later who are still suffering with problems that started during pregnancy or shortly after. So, if you recently gave birth (or are still pregnant), I encourage you to start thinking about addressing the problems that are keeping you from long term health and happiness.

The most common misunderstanding we hear from women is thinking many common pains need to be tolerated during and after pregnancy and that’s why . . .

Imagine yourself as a happy, healthy, vibrant woman with energy for your family, feeling incredible in your body and confident in the life you are creating.  

Now imagine, the alarm clock goes off at 5:30 AM Monday and you are off to spin classes or yoga at 6 AM so you can be ready for work at 8 AM..  

At 20 weeks, you are finally at a point where it doesn’t hurt to walk for too long and you can get up from sitting, despite feeling his head very low. Just last week you started walking on your lunch break everyday. You can walk correctly, and even when you switch positions at night or open your legs a little, it doesn’t hurt.

So many changes happen during pregnancy. If you imagine the uterus as a hot-air balloon, the ropes supporting the balloon are your round ligaments, and round ligament pain is from sudden pulls as you’re turning over in bed or making sudden movements. 

Different types of pain can be experienced as the belly grows, changing your center of gravity, meaning your back muscles are put into more strain. The growing uterus also pushes up your abdominal contents, which can lead to heartburn. The hormone relaxin that helps prepare your body for delivery also loosens ligaments in your back, pelvis, and your feet, which can lead to pubic symphysis pain, low back pain, and feet pain (not to mention your shoe size getting bigger during pregnancy). Tension in your back and buttocks can press on the sciatic nerve, which can cause pain down your leg. 

As your body increases it’s blood volume to supply nourishment to your baby, the extra fluid can press on a nerve at your wrists and lead to carpal tunnel syndrome or lead to swelling in your feet and hands (maybe you can’t wear your wedding ring anymore). Postpartum, your pelvis has gone through an incredible transformation, whether you delivered vaginally or via c-section. 

The good news is that osteopathic manipulative treatment (pregnancy OMT) can help address all of these changes and make pregnancy and the post-partum period a much more pleasant experience. It’s not something you just “have to live with” because you’re pregnant!