Postpartum Physical Therapy
Postpartum Physical Therapy “Restore the Core”
You’ve got your OB-GYN. You’ve picked out the crib and stroller. You’ve had the baby. But what about you? Postpartum physical therapy helps you “restore the core” and avoid health issues that many moms face, including pain, prolapse and incontinence.
The majority of issues that we treat with postpartum physical therapy stem from two conditions. Pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) and diastasis rectus abdominus (DRA).
Many New Moms get Little or No Direction
Too often, the health of a new mom takes a back seat to the health of the baby. Infants get at least six exams in the first 12 months, while many moms have no follow up after their six-week postpartum checkup when they are “cleared for activity.”
There is often a huge difference between being “cleared for activity” and actually feeling and functioning at your best!
Postpartum PT focuses on restoring strength and function to the pelvic floor and abdominal muscles.
Don’t Ignore or Minimize Symptoms
We get it. So many women are focused on being “supermom” that they put a lower priority on taking care of themselves than taking care of their kids.
It’s important to remember that you can give good care without having good self care.
Many moms think that postpartum symptoms like pain, prolapse, incontinence and abdominal weakness are just part of the “mom body.” They might say “I leak a little when I laugh, cough or sneeze, but I’m not a runner or exerciser so that’s not going to bother me.” But what happens when you have to run after a toddler? What about wanting to get on a trampoline with your kids? Just because these symptoms are “common” doesn’t mean they are “normal.”
It’s Never Too Late to Start Postpartum PT
What if you’ve had your kids years (or even decades) ago? The important thing to know is that it’s never too late to “restore your core.” We’ve seen great results in women in their 60s and beyond!
If you haven’t healed properly after giving birth, time won’t fix that. In fact, your body may try to compensate for core weakness in other ways, causing an ever-longer chain of issues. Restoring optimal core function can help give your musculoskeletal system a strong, healthy anchor to rely on.
The Sooner You Start, the Sooner You’ll Feel Better
Our postpartum physical therapists believe that “sooner is better” to prevent and address conditions resulting from pregnancy and childbirth. It’s never too early to work with a postpartum physical therapist–even if you haven’t yet given birth!
What can postpartum physical therapy do for you before giving birth? We can put you on an exercise program to help minimize possible pelvic and abdominal complications during birth, and give you the information you need to know what to expect as you go through the process.
After giving birth, we like to see new moms around six weeks postpartum to evaluate their condition, check for diastasis recti, and help them begin to restore optimal core function to achieve optimal health!
Now matter what stage of motherhood you’re at, your body and health matter! Physical therapy is covered by most insurance plans and is a great way to help you feel your best.
