Pregnancy and New Mothers
Pregnancy and childbirth will take its toll on your body’s muscles, joints, and organs. But physical therapy – an often-overlooked part of a new mother’s care – can prepare your body for pregnancy, minimize pain and discomfort while pregnant, and prevent or treat post-natal conditions.
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Therapy can help you pre- and post-natal for the following conditions
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Diastasis Recti (manual, visceral, taping, coordination with exercises)
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Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (SPD)
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Low back pain with or without Sciatica
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Pain from C-section or episiotomy
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Weak Abdominals
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Decreased control of bowels or bladder
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Pelvic Floor pressure/pain
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Learn how to use your body efficiently while being a new caretaker
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Diastasis Recti
Diastasis Recti is fairly common condition of pregnancy and postpartum in which the right and left halves of Rectus Abdominis muscle spread apart at the body’s mid line facia, the linea alba.
A small amount of widening of the midline happens in all pregnancies and is normal. Diastasis Recti occurs normally in the last trimester of pregnancy. Some postpartum women’s mid lines close to less than 2 finger-widths spontaneously, but for many, the tissue remains too wide and deep, causing problems.
Diastasis Recti reduces the integrity and functional strength of the abdominal wall and can aggravate lower back pain and pelvic instability.
Sciatica with Pregnancy
Sciatica refers to back pain caused by a problem with the sciatic nerve. This is a large nerve that runs from the lower back down the back of each leg. When something injures or puts pressure on the sciatic nerve, it can cause pain in the lower back that spreads to the hip, buttocks, and leg.
This is common in pregnancy due to the changes in posture, center of gravity and weakness of postural muscles due to the growing fetus. Women can learn proper body mechanics and strengthening exercise to alleviate these symptoms. PT can also provide manual treatment for alignment corrections and improve soft tissue restrictions.
