Pride Month
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At Brunswick Family Osteopathy we are committed to providing a safe and inclusive environment for all our LGBTQ+ community. Our practitioners are compassionate, respectful and will do everything they can to make your visit a comfortable one.
In recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the unique healthcare needs and challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community. As conversations around inclusive healthcare practices continue to evolve, disciplines like osteopathy have emerged as potential allies in promoting holistic well-being among LGBTQ+ individuals.
Why Osteopathy Matters for the LGBTQ+ Community
1. Holistic Approach: Osteopathy takes into account the whole person—mind, body, and spirit. For LGBTQ+ individuals who may face unique stressors related to identity, relationships, or discrimination, holistic care can provide support beyond just physical symptoms.
2. Non-Discrimination: Osteopathic principles advocate for treating each patient as an individual, without discrimination. This aligns with the principles of LGBTQ+ affirming care, which seeks to create an inclusive and respectful environment for all patients regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.
3. Chronic Pain Management: LGBTQ+ individuals may experience higher rates of chronic pain due to various factors. Osteopathic techniques such as soft tissue manipulation, joint mobilization, and therapeutic exercises can offer drug-free options for managing pain.
4. Trauma-Informed Care: Many LGBTQ+ individuals have experienced trauma related to their identity, coming out, or interactions with healthcare providers. Osteopaths trained in trauma-informed care can provide a safe space for patients to address physical and emotional pain, fostering healing and trust.
5. Health Promotion and Wellness: Osteopathy focuses on preventive care and health promotion, which is crucial for LGBTQ+ individuals who may face higher risks of certain health conditions. Osteopaths work with patients to develop personalized wellness plans that consider their unique health needs and goals.
One of our Osteopaths, Indigo, has recently completed training specific to LGBTQ+ concerns. Chest binding was a topic brought up as an increasing reason for seeking health care. Chest binding is the practice of restricting your breast tissue, it may be used to improve comfort or to alter appearance, and is often used as a gender affirming practice.
Our main concern of course are the health implications of improperly fitted or unfit for purpose binders causing body pains, breathing difficulties, impacts to posture and muscle wasting, skin irritation, and sores. Other ways of binding or changing appearance do exist, including wearing sports bras, athletic compression shirts and neoprene shirts. However, to minimise health risks you need to ensure whatever you are wearing is comfortable and does not restrict your breathing.
Other helpful tips for binder wearers include;
· limiting your binder wearing to 8 hours per day
· making sure to take them off overnight
· not wearing binders while exercising
· taking at least 1 day off from binding per week
· staying hydrated while wearing a binder