Celebrating International Women’s Day 2026: Supporting Women’s Health Through Every Stage of Life.
05 March 2026
International Women’s Day, celebrated annually on 8th March, is an opportunity to recognise the contributions, achievements and strength of women across the world. At Brixworth Osteopathic Clinic, this day holds special meaning as we celebrate not only the remarkable women who helped shape Osteopathy but also the women we support through healthcare every day.
A Woman Who Helped Shape Osteopathy
Did you know that one of the earliest pioneers of Osteopathy was a woman?
Osteopathy has a proud history of strong female pioneers, including Jennette “Nettie” Hubbard Bolles, recognised as the first female Osteopath. At a time when women faced significant barriers in professional education and healthcare practice, Nettie paved the way for future generations of female practitioners
Graduating from the American School of Osteopathy in the late 19th century, Nettie quickly became known for her compassionate approach and dedication to patient-centred care. She specialised in supporting women’s and children’s health, demonstrating early recognition of how Osteopathic treatment could support the unique physiological changes women experience throughout their lives.
Her determination and passion helped open doors for women both as practitioners and as patients seeking holistic, hands-on healthcare. Today, Osteopathy continues to uphold these values of whole-person care and individualised treatment - principles that remain at the heart of what we do at Brixworth Osteopathic Clinic.
Celebrating Our Very Own Kate
Closer to home, we are proud to recognise Kate, who owns and runs Brixworth Osteopathic Clinic. Kate’s dedication, expertise and patient-focused approach reflect the same values established by early Osteopathic pioneers.
Under Kate’s leadership, the clinic has built a reputation for delivering compassionate, professional care tailored to each individual. Her commitment to continuous learning and personalised treatment ensures patients receive high-quality support for a wide range of musculoskeletal and health concerns.
Kate is particularly passionate about supporting women’s health and understands that each stage of life brings unique physical demands and challenges. She supports women through pregnancy, birth, and postnatal recovery with compassionate care tailored to each individual’s needs. Her work helps many women maintain mobility, comfort and wellbeing so they can continue doing the things they love. Kate is also a qualified breastfeeding coach and tongue-tie assessor, offering specialist support to families during the early stages of feeding and beyond. Her services extend to babies and young children, ensuring a holistic approach to family wellbeing.
How Osteopathy Supports Women’s Health
Women experience significant physical and hormonal changes throughout life, from adolescence to menopause and beyond. Osteopathy offers a gentle, holistic approach that can help support the body through these transitions.
Adolescence and Young Adulthood
During teenage years and early adulthood, rapid growth, sports participation, posture changes and menstrual-related discomfort can affect musculoskeletal health. Osteopathic treatment may help by:
- Supporting posture and spinal health.
- Relieving muscle and joint tension.
- Helping manage discomfort associated with growth or activity.
Pregnancy and Postnatal Care
Pregnancy places unique physical demands on the body as posture shifts and ligaments soften to accommodate a growing baby and preparation for birth. Many women seek Osteopathic treatment to help manage common pregnancy-related discomforts such as:
- Back and pelvic pain.
- Neck and shoulder tension.
- Sciatic pain.
- Postural strain.
Postnatally, Osteopathy can support recovery by helping restore balance and mobility following childbirth, while also assisting with the physical demands of caring for a newborn.
Perimenopause and Menopause
Hormonal changes during perimenopause and menopause can contribute to joint stiffness, muscle tension, reduced mobility and changes in posture. Osteopathy can help by:
- Supporting and increasing joint range of motion.
- Reducing muscular tension.
- Helping maintain physical activity and overall wellbeing.
Healthy Ageing
As women age, maintaining mobility, balance and comfort becomes increasingly important. Osteopathic treatment can support:
- Management of age-related joint stiffness.
- Improved mobility and function.
- Reduced risk of injury.
- Enhanced quality of life.
The Wider Benefits of Osteopathy
Osteopathy is a safe, hands-on therapy that focuses on improving the body’s structure and function. Through using gentle manual techniques including Cranial Osteopathy, Osteopaths aim to improve circulation, reduce tension and support the body’s natural healing processes.
Patients often seek Osteopathy for:
- Back and neck pain.
- Joint and muscle discomfort.
- Sports injuries.
- Postural strain.
- Headaches related to tension.
- Pregnancy-related discomfort.
Importantly, Osteopathy treats the whole person rather than just isolated symptoms, recognising that lifestyle, stress, movement patterns and overall health all play a role in wellbeing.
Supporting Women in Our Community
At Brixworth Osteopathic Clinic, we are proud to support women at every stage of life. Whether managing pregnancy-related discomfort, recovering from injury, maintaining mobility or seeking preventative care, our goal is to help every patient feel heard, supported and empowered in their health journey.
International Women’s Day is a time to honor the strides women have made in healthcare and to renew our commitment to ensuring accessible, compassionate care for everyone. Inspired by pioneers like Nettie Hubbard Bolles and led by dedicated practitioners like Kate, we remain committed to supporting women’s health in our community.
If you would like to learn more about how Osteopathy may support your health and wellbeing, please contact Brixworth Osteopathic Clinic to speak with our team either through a free consultation or to book an appointment.
For more information on International Women's Day, you can visit their website here: