Physical therapy is a New Mom’s best-kept secret
Bringing a new life into the world is a remarkable journey, but it often comes with physical challenges. Navigating the pregnancy and postpartum phases can be made smoother with the secret weapon many moms swear by – physical therapy. The body goes through a lot. Many women start to experience pain as early as 15 weeks. Then, many new moms attend their six-week postpartum checkup and are cleared to do whatever they want but don’t feel ready or don’t know how to begin exercising safely again. Not to mention, new moms may be experiencing other symptoms like urinary leakage, pelvic pain, or low back pain. These symptoms are often assumed to be expected, but they can be helped with the assistance of a physical therapist. Why suffer 30+ weeks of pregnancy and after and hope any symptoms will go away when we can address them today?
At your first physical therapy appointment, your physical therapist will talk to you and gain a thorough understanding of what your symptoms are, what activities you may be having difficulty with, and what activities you would like to get back to doing. Then, they will assess the muscular strength of the hips, core, and pelvic floor and will likely get you started with a couple of personalized exercises to get you on the road to recovery!
Whether you’re having your first child or you’re a seasoned veteran, here are some common conditions that can be treated in physical therapy:
- Postural changes
- Upper/lower back pain
- Pelvic pain
- Weak abdominal muscles
- Diastasis recti (abdominal separation)
- Scarring from c-section
- Perineal or vaginal tearing and episiotomy scarring
- Bladder and bowel dysfunction (urine or stool leakage, urgency, constipation)
- Painful intercourse
- Feelings of pelvic heaviness or pelvic organ prolapse
- Guidance with returning to regular exercise routine
Physical Therapy Can Help
You don’t have to wait for your six-week checkup to seek help from a physical therapist. Our team is here to answer any questions you may have prenatal or post. Schedule your free assessment today!