Postpartum Treatment
During the postpartum period the body is recovering from childbirth whether the delivery was via a vaginal birth or cesarean section. This is a time of great physical and emotional change and adjustment. Much of the time recovery proceeds well and allows for a return full function and activity. At times there may be complications resulting in symptoms such as incontinence, pelvic pain or pressure, back/neck pain, constipation, painful urination, weakness, cesarean and episiotomy scar tissue tenderness, and pain with intercourse.
Postpartum pelvic floor physical therapy can help:
Decrease pain
Release tight muscles
Restore core and pelvic floor muscle strength
Improve posture and body awareness
Strengthen and retrain weak muscles
Decrease scar tissue tenderness/restriction
Promote optimal healing
Promote diastasis recti recovery
Promote return to exercise and activity
Improve function with daily activity and care of the baby
Provide self care techniques and a home program
Everyone who has given birth would benefit from seeing a pelvic floor physical therapist for assessment whether symptoms are present or not.
Assessment and treatment can identify and address issues early including pelvic organ prolapse, diastasis recti, weakness, muscle and scar tissue tightness, pelvic misalignment, joint and motion restrictions, muscle imbalances, postural issues, and dysfunction in breathing patterns and body mechanics. Even if you aren’t experiencing any pressure, urinary incontinence or pain, it is still beneficial to work with a pelvic floor PT to learn how to correctly restore your muscles to help avoid future issues. Postpartum assessment and treatment can occur at any point in time, even years after delivery.
Postpartum physical therapy can begin at any point following childbirth to address symptoms and concerns. Internal pelvic floor assessment would generally occur after postpartum follow up with the care provider to ensure full healing has occurred. In some countries pelvic floor physical therapy is provided as part of standard postpartum care. Though this is not typical in the US more individuals are understanding the importance and seeking out this important care for assistance in recovery.
Pelvic health physical therapy can help you recover faster after having a baby.
Kate’s Integrative treatment addresses the whole person and is based on an individualized and comprehensive evaluation. Manual therapy may be performed to release scar tissue, tight muscles and restricted fascia. Retraining of posture, body mechanics, breathing patterns, and alignment is beneficial to allow for ease with function and care of the baby. Kate utilizes integrative, individualized exercises to address underlying muscular imbalances and to help restore the pelvic floor and core muscles. Kate can help you safely return to your postpartum fitness goals. If done too early or improperly, certain exercises may worsen symptoms or issues. She can help coach you through the safest exercises for your body to allow you to return to what you love doing!