Unveiling the Vital Role of Physical Therapy Before, During, and After Pregnancy
Do you know that physical therapy can be a game-changer for women navigating the journey of pregnancy and post-partum recovery? Let’s explore how a specialized physical therapist in Dorchester, Easton, Hanover, Hingham, Mansfield, Milton, Needham, North Attleboro or South Boston can make this journey smoother and more comfortable with pre & post-natal pelvic health.
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 Elliott Physical Therapy 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, pre & post-natal treatments can help your body better prepare for the journey ahead.
At Elliott Physical Therapy, we integrate massage therapy and pelvic floor therapy techniques to help make your pregnancy and delivery process as smooth as possible.
Approximately 75% of pregnant individuals experience lower back pain during their pregnancy,
highlighting the common need for specialized pre & post-natal physical therapy to address discomfort and support a healthy pregnancy.
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 pre-natal and post-delivery programs!
Common Pregnancy-Related Pain
Pregnancy is an exciting journey filled with joy and anticipation. However, it also brings unique physical challenges that can affect a woman’s overall well-being during and after pregnancy. These challenges can range from musculoskeletal discomforts to more complex health conditions, and our physical therapists can be essential in effectively managing them.
- Back Pain: Often stemming from increased weight, hormonal changes, and shifts in your center of gravity, back pain is a prevalent discomfort for pregnant women. It can also linger postpartum. Physical therapy can help reduce this pain through specific exercises and techniques.
- Pelvic Pain: Particularly in the third trimester, increased pressure on the pelvis can result in discomfort. Physical therapists can provide targeted exercises to strengthen pelvic muscles and alleviate pain.
- Joint Pain: Hormonal changes during pregnancy can loosen the joints and ligaments, leading to pain, especially in the knees and hips. Physical therapists offer stability exercises and pain relief strategies.
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 Elliott Physical Therapy 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 & post-natal issues that may arise!
Personalized Physical Therapy Programs
Every woman’s journey through pregnancy is unique and beautiful in its way. As your body experiences these incredible changes, ensuring your utmost health and well-being is crucial. At Elliott Physical Therapy, our programs are tailored to your specific needs. No matter where you are in your pregnancy, you can confidently navigate this exceptional period in your life.
Our exceptional team of physical therapists will provide a comprehensive evaluation, using their extensive expertise to understand your distinct needs and challenges. This begins with a thorough assessment of your medical history and specialized testing to understand your physical health better.
We utilize evidence-based strategies, proven effective in treating pregnancy-related pain and dysfunction at our clinic in Dorchester, Easton, Hanover, Hingham, Mansfield, Milton, Needham, North Attleboro and South Boston, MA. These techniques ease discomfort, improve function, and enhance your overall pregnancy experience.
- Manual Therapy: Techniques like pre-natal massage and other soft tissue techniques are used to manipulate muscles and joints to reduce pain and improve movement.
- Exercises: Therapeutic Exercises designed to strengthen your body and improve flexibility, promoting better posture, reducing back pain, and preparing your body for labor. Pregnancy-specific Hydrotherapy utilizes the buoyancy of water to provide a low-impact exercise environment that relieves joint stress and muscle tension.
- Pelvic Floor Exercises: These targeted strengthening exercises are crucial in treating incontinence and pelvic pain, common in many pregnancies. A specialized physical therapist will guide you through exercises to strengthen your pelvic muscles, providing better support for your bladder, uterus, and bowels and improving bladder control.
Elliott Physical Therapy tailors our pre & post-natal pelvic health programs to your unique needs and stage of pregnancy. We can help ensure your journey is as comfortable, healthy, and fulfilling as possible. Our expert physical therapists in Dorchester, Easton, Hanover, Hingham, Mansfield, Milton, Needham, North Attleboro and South Boston, MA are ready to guide you every step of the way.
Reach out today and take the first step towards a healthier, happier, and more comfortable pregnancy journey!
Empowering Results!
Elliott Physical Therapy develops programs that are tailored to you, no matter where you are in your pregnancy
By including physical therapy in your pre & post-natal care, you can be better prepared for one of the biggest challenges in your life. At Elliott Physical Therapy, we provide pre & post-natal physical therapy to help make your pregnancy and delivery process as smooth as possible!
Contact us today to schedule an appointment, and we’ll create a plan to help you along your pregnancy!
Your Next Steps…
Request An Appointment
Come in for a Comprehensive Evaluation
Receive A Custom Treatment Plan
Work Hard and Progress In Your Recovery
Recover & Enjoy Life Pain-Free!
