Postpartum Physiotherapy: Feel Like Yourself Again

A woman's body undergoes vital changes during pregnancy. While these changes are important, they can lead to pain, misalignment and pressure in various areas of the body. Our Nepean physiotherapists explain how postpartum physiotherapy can aid recovery. 

During pregnancy, a woman's body goes through vital and important changes. A change in the centre of mass occurs with weight gain, which puts more pressure on the body's organs.

These changes often lead to back, hip or pelvic pain during pregnancy or after delivery. Common health issues that may arise include:

• Low back pain
• Weakened abdominal muscles
• Abdominal separation
• Increased pelvic misalignment, pressure and pain 
• Urinary incontinence
• Swollen ankles and varicose veins
• Joint pain
• Blocked breast ducts

How Postpartum Physiotherapy Can Be Used to Treat Post-Natal Complications

Our Nepean Sports Medicine & Physiotherapy Centre team can design a specific program of pre-natal and postpartum physiotherapy exercises to help expecting mothers prepare for labour and delivery, make the process healthier and safer, and assist them in healing afterward. 

To start, your Nepean physiotherapist will perform a detailed evaluation to assess whether you can safely participate in an exercise program, and identify the issues contributing to your pain and dysfunction.

Your physical strength, flexibility, sense of balance and body posture will be examined, in addition to any musculoskeletal issues that may impact your pregnancy. 

Whether this is your first or subsequent pregnancy. every pregnancy is different - so is every delivery process and recovery. 

The primary purpose of a post-partum physiotherapy program is to safely and progressively help the body return to its pre-pregnancy and/or delivery function. As you navigate your new parental role, we are here to help guide you through your unique pregnancy and post-pregnancy experience with physiotherapy treatment options. 

For those experiencing back and pelvic dysfunction, an active core strengthening program can help you recover the strength you'll need to meet the multiple demands of motherhood. Your program may include specific exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor muscle. 

You'll also learn how to use positioning, posture, taping or pelvic floor supports to alleviate pain and discomfort. Other treatments may include massage, joint mobilization exercises, stretches, myofascial release, acupuncture and heat. 

Postpartum Physiotherapy at Nepean Sports Medicine & Physiotherapy Centre 

All in all, your physiotherapist can help you improve your fitness and feel like yourself again after giving birth. If you are pregnant or having postpartum health issues, postpartum physiotherapy can play an integral role in your recovery.