Some symptoms stay with us for years. A pain that comes and goes, leaks we’ve learnt to hide, a discomfort that has become part of everyday life. We treat the symptom, it eases for a while, and then it comes back.
At A Raiz da Cura we start from a simple idea: we can only heal when we listen to what the body is communicating. A symptom isn’t just a problem to silence. It’s a message. And often, its origin isn’t exactly where it hurts.
What “looking for the root” means
Picture lower back pain at the end of pregnancy. It may come from the back, of course. But it may also be linked to how the pelvis has adapted to the weight of the bump, to breathing, to tension in the pelvic floor, to the position you sleep in, or to an old scar that limits movement.
Looking for the root means asking questions before giving answers. It means looking at a woman’s history, at the stages of life she has already been through, and at how her body has compensated over time. It means recognising that the bladder, uterus, bowel, breathing, posture and emotions don’t live in separate compartments.
This doesn’t mean there is always some hidden, mysterious cause. Sometimes the explanation is simple. But we only find it if we take the time to listen.
A woman’s body at every stage
A woman’s body changes a great deal over a lifetime, and each stage brings its own needs. We support:
- Babies and children, including breastfeeding difficulties and the discomforts of the early months.
- Cycle and conception: period pain, pelvic pain, the wish to become pregnant.
- Pregnancy: back and pelvic pain, preparing the body for birth.
- Postpartum: pelvic floor recovery, scars, returning to movement.
- Menopause: changes in the tissues, the bladder and intimate life.
We like to think of these stages as the phases of the moon. Each has its own light and its own time, and none matters less than another.
The tools we use
An integrative approach brings together different tools, chosen for each person:
- Pelvic physiotherapy: assessment and retraining of the pelvic floor muscles, breathing and posture.
- Visceral osteopathy: gentle hands-on work on the mobility of the abdominal and pelvic organs.
- Craniosacral osteopathy: very light touch on the head, spine and sacrum, which many people seek for relaxation and comfort.
- Acupuncture: an approach some women choose as a complement at different stages of life.
- Paediatric osteopathy and breastfeeding support, for babies and their mothers.
Not every tool suits every person. We always explain what we suggest and why, and the decision is yours.
What a first appointment looks like
We know that booking a first appointment can feel daunting, especially when the subject is intimate. So here is what happens.
We start by talking. We ask you to tell us what brings you in, since when, what eases it and what makes it worse. We ask about your health history, births, cycle, sleep, bowels and daily life. Some questions may seem unrelated to your symptom, but they help us see the full picture.
Then we assess. Depending on your situation, we look at posture, breathing, mobility, the abdomen and, where appropriate, the pelvic floor. Any intimate examination is always explained beforehand, done only with your consent, and can be stopped at any moment. If you don’t feel ready, there is a lot we can do without it.
We explain what we found. In plain language, without jargon. We share our thoughts on what may lie at the root and what we suggest.
We begin treatment. Often the first session already includes some hands-on work or simple exercises to take home.
We agree the next steps. We don’t give a fixed number of sessions. We adjust the plan to how your body responds.
Our place alongside your doctor
Integrative therapy doesn’t replace medicine. Our work complements the care of your gynaecologist, obstetrician, paediatrician or GP. When something seems to need medical assessment, we tell you clearly and refer you on.
Nor do we promise cures. Many women notice improvement, some quickly, others over more time. What we can promise is listening, attention and a plan designed around you.
When to seek help
You can come to us when a symptom persists, when you feel you’ve “tried everything”, or when you simply want to prepare your body for a new stage, such as a pregnancy or a birth.
But some signs call for a doctor first, and promptly: heavy bleeding, fever, sudden severe pain, unexplained weight loss, bleeding after menopause or, in babies, refusing feeds, fever or unusual drowsiness. In these cases, contact your doctor or go to A&E.
An invitation
If you’ve read this far, perhaps there is something your body is trying to tell you. You don’t need to know exactly what. You only need to take the first step.
Send us a message on WhatsApp. Tell us a little about what you’re feeling, and together we’ll find the right moment for a first appointment.