How Physical Therapy Can Help Before and After Pregnancy
Pregnancy is one of the most exciting parts of life, but it sure can take a toll on your body! The body experiences many changes throughout pregnancy, including changes to your posture, how you hold and move your body, and changes to the pelvic muscles and ligaments preparing for delivery. Changes such as these can cause back pain and pelvic floor issues.
If you’re currently pregnant or recently had a baby, dealing with pelvic pain, incontinence, or any other physical change to your body, our physical therapists at Elite Physical Therapy Sports Performance can help!
Many women experience lower back pain or pain in their pelvic region while pregnant, and a large percentage of them still have pain a year or more after giving birth.
Muscle weakness may lead to urinary incontinence and difficulty activating core muscles. Though these are some of the more unpleasant parts of pregnancy, prenatal and postnatal treatments can help your body better prepare for the journey ahead.
At Elite Physical Therapy Sports Performance, we integrate massage therapy and pelvic floor therapy techniques to help make your pregnancy and delivery process as smooth as possible.
Our team will address your specific needs using a holistic approach. We’ll meet you where you’re at and give you the support and guidance for the best possible birthing experience you can have!
Request an appointment today to learn more about our prenatal and post-delivery programs!
What are common issues a woman faces during and after pregnancy?
A woman’s body goes through a significant transformation throughout pregnancy and beyond. With each step of the journey, we learn more about ourselves and our health.
Some of the common physical transformations that happen during pregnancy may also lead to the following common issues:
- Back pain and/or pelvic pain: Often, the pain develops in the sacroiliac (SI) joint, tailbone, or the hips and lower back. Some experience pain in the pelvis itself on the pubic symphysis.
- Pelvic floor muscle tension or pain: The perineum is the area between your vagina and rectum where pelvic floor muscles are found. These muscles can become tense and, at times, painful during pregnancy. During the delivery process, you may need to undergo a c-section or an episiotomy that requires proper care to avoid lasting pain or scar tissue development. Adhesions that lead to scar tissue can cause restrictions in the myofascial (create a link to myofascial or manual therapy page) system of the body.
- Diastasis recti: Some women might also suffer from a separation of their abdominal muscles, known as diastasis recti. A diastasis recti can cause the belly to “pooch” and interfere with strengthening the abdomen muscles while the body recovers and heals after delivery.
- Urinary Incontinence: Leaking urine when coughing, laughing, and sneezing is common throughout pregnancy and often worsens in the third trimester. There are many helpful treatment options for strengthening the pelvic floor muscles before birth and education on resolving and managing symptoms.
Our therapists use the latest evidence-based clinical knowledge in the field to identify and treat the common conditions that often come with pregnancy and delivery.
Physical therapy at Elite Physical Therapy Sports Performance can offer relief and the ability to stay more active throughout your pregnancy. With a combination of hands-on muscle release, gentle guided movement/exercises, and education on ways of moving to minimize symptoms, we can help mothers address any pre- and post-natal issues that may arise!
Elite Physical Therapy Sports Performance develops programs that tailored to you, no matter where you are in your pregnancy
By including physical therapy in your prenatal and postnatal care, you can be better prepared for one of the biggest challenges in your life. At Elite Physical Therapy Sports Performance, we provide pre and postnatal physical therapy to help make your pregnancy and delivery process as smooth as possible!
Your Next Steps…
Request An Appointment
Receive A Custom Treatment Plan
Work Hard and Progress In Your Recovery
Recover & Enjoy Life Pain-Free!