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PRENATAL / POSTNATAL THERAPY
Along with the "joys of pregnancy" can sometimes
come the not so joyful pain and dysfunction associated
with it. Some women experience low back pain, sacroiliac
dysfunction, sciatica (pain, numbness or tingling down
the leg) and even carpal tunel syndrome. Many women
feel these are natural and expected conditions that
come along with any pregnancy. What they don't know
is that physical therapy in many cases can reduce these
symptoms.
During pregnancy a woman's body releases a hormone
called 'relaxin'. This hormone is very important and
necessary because it "relaxes" the ligaments
in order for the pelvis to spread and allow the baby
to pass through. Unfortunately, these relaxed ligaments
can mean less stability in the joints. This, along with
increased body weight and change in center of gravity,
can cause pain. Through therapeutic exercise, range
of motion, soft tissue mobilization, postural and body
mechanics education, women can decrease their pain level
and improve the quality of their activities of daily
living.
Many women bring home from the hospital more than
just a new baby. Post-partum problems can include sacroiliac
pain and dyssemetry, diastasis recti (separation of
the rectus abdominus muscle), low, mid or upper back
pain, neck pain, trunk weakness and urinary incontinence.
These are conditions which can be addressed by physical
therapy. The question of when a woman can begin exercising
after the birth of her baby is a difficult one to answer.
The American College of Gynecologist states "prepregnancy
exercise routines should be resumed gradually based
on a woman's physical capability". (1) There are
benefits of performing basic exercises within the 1st
six weeks after birth.
"Benefits include increase weight loss (often
as much as 8.6 pounds), improvement or elimination of
diastasis recti, making the abdomen more stable, reduction
or elimination of lower back pain, improvement of energy
level and a significant decrease in anxiety, depression
and mood disturbances." (2) These initial exercises
might include teaching proper body mechanics to a woman
who has delivered her baby by caesarian or instruction
in diaphragmatic breathing. Exercises can be taught
to strengthen the pelvic floor and reduce urinary incontinence
as well as gentle exercises for the abdomen and trunk.
Physical therapy can identify and treat sacroiliac dysfunction
and low back pain. Women who breast feed their babies
are also at risk to develop upper back and neck pain
as well. Physical therapy can help to treat and even
prevent these potential problems.
If you are pregnant or post-partum and would like
any more information or are experiencing any of these
symptoms, please talk to your doctor about a referral
to physical therapy or give us a call.
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