Prenatal And Postnatal Specialist

Although a wonderful and exciting time, quite often pregnancy and caring for an infant can bring about aches and pains.  Physical therapy can help address pregnancy and postpartum concerns including:

• Exercise during pregnancy and the postpartum period
• Treating diastasis recti (abdominal muscle separation)
• Positioning for labor and delivery 
• Incontinence
• Balance problems
• DeQuervains tenosynovitis (Mom thumb)
• Coccydynia (tailbone pain)
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Shoulder and neck pain related to lifting or breastfeeding 
• Hip, back, and pelvic pain
• Pelvic or back instability
• Postural strain

How does physical therapy help during pregnancy?

As a woman’s body goes through the significant changes and additional stress during pregnancy, physical therapy can help to manage any stress, tension, and discomfort. Between 50 and 70% of women report back pain. It can also help to keep the body flexible and supple so birth and recovery are straightforward. Some of the common reasons for discomfort during pregnancy include posture, joint alignment, muscle strength, and flexibility. Physical therapy throughout pregnancy can help women to maintain strength, flexibility, and good posture and alignment to avoid  these triggers and feel better throughout gestation.

How can physical therapy help after giving birth?

When the muscles and tissues in the pelvic area are weakened or damaged during pregnancy or delivery they can cause discomfort and other symptoms. A physical therapist can help a new mother to relax tight muscles and strengthen the weak ones. Before treatment begins the therapist will evaluate the patient to identify any trigger points causing pain or discomfort as well as any areas of weakness or tightness. Once the problem spots are identified, Dr. Bythrow will begin treatment. First she will teach the patient to identify the different muscles. Treatment will involve exercises and stretches to return the muscles and tissues to their pre-pregnancy state, or stronger. The therapist may also use massage to release muscles and tissue in the lower back, thighs, buttocks and pelvic region.

What postpartum issues can be treated with physical therapy?

Postpartum physical therapy can address any of issues often associated with pregnancy and delivery including incontinence, perineal pain, pelvic pain or discomfort, and pelvic organ prolapse. All of these conditions can be helped by strengthening the pelvic floor to better support the organs and tissues in that area. Physical therapy can also relieve tension or pain in the lower back that is common during and following pregnancy. An added benefit is that regular activity will help the body return to its pre-pregnancy state more quickly.