physiotherapy and post partum

Rebuilding Your Body After Baby: The Power of Physiotherapy in Postpartum Recovery

 

Giving birth is a life-changing experience, but it can also take a toll on a woman's body. Physiotherapy can play a crucial role in helping new mothers recover from the physical demands of pregnancy and childbirth. In this blog post, we will discuss the role of physiotherapy in postpartum recovery, common postpartum conditions treated by physiotherapy, and how to find a physiotherapist for postpartum recovery.

Table of Contents

 

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What is physiotherapy?

Physiotherapy, also known as physical therapy, is a healthcare profession that aims to help people improve their mobility, manage pain, and prevent further injury. Physiotherapists use a variety of techniques to help their patients, including exercise, massage, and manual therapy. They can also teach patients how to use assistive devices, such as crutches, and provide education on injury prevention.

The Role of Physiotherapy in Postpartum Recovery

After giving birth, a woman's body undergoes many changes. The muscles and ligaments that support the spine, pelvis, and abdominal area can become stretched and weakened during pregnancy. As a result, new mothers may experience pain or discomfort in the lower back, pelvis, and abdominal area. Physiotherapy can help to alleviate this pain and discomfort by strengthening the muscles and improving the mobility of the joints in these areas.

One of the main goals of physiotherapy in postpartum recovery is to help new mothers regain their core strength and stability. The muscles of the core, which include the abdominal, back and pelvic floor muscles, play a vital role in supporting the spine and pelvis. During pregnancy, these muscles can become stretched and weakened, leading to pain and discomfort. Physiotherapy can help to alleviate this pain by targeting specific exercises to strengthen the core muscles and improve their function.

How Can Physiotherapy Help with 

Postpartum Recovery

In addition to core strength, physiotherapy can also focus on improving the mobility of the joints in the spine, pelvis and hips. Pregnancy and childbirth can lead to stiffness and decreased mobility in these areas, which can contribute to pain and discomfort. Physiotherapy can help to improve joint mobility through specific exercises and manual therapy techniques.

AdobeStock_500377281Physiotherapy can also help new mothers recover from other physical demands of childbirth, such as a c-section or episiotomy. The physiotherapist will work with the mother to develop a personalized exercise program to help her regain strength and mobility in the affected areas. They can also work on helping the mother to regain their ability to perform activities of daily living such as carrying a baby, bending and reaching, and even sexual function.

Common postpartum conditions treated by physiotherapy

  • Lower back pain
  • Pelvic pain
  • Abdominal muscle separation (diastasis recti)
  • Incontinence
  • Pelvic organ prolapse
  • Pelvic girdle pain

Additionally, physiotherapy can also help improve other postpartum conditions such as incontinence, pelvic pain and prolapse, which affects a significant proportion of women post birth. Incontinence can be due to weakness of the pelvic floor muscles and physiotherapy can provide targeted exercises to help improve their strength, which can reduce the symptoms of incontinence. Pelvic pain can be caused by a variety of factors and physiotherapy can provide a multidisciplinary approach to assess and manage the pain, including manual therapy and pain management techniques. Prolapse can be caused by the weakening of the pelvic floor muscles and physiotherapy can provide a specific exercise program to help improve their strength and decrease symptoms.

In summary, physiotherapy can play a crucial role in helping new mothers recover from the physical demands of pregnancy and childbirth. By targeting specific exercises to improve core strength, joint mobility, and addressing other postpartum conditions, physiotherapy can help new mothers to alleviate pain and discomfort, regain their strength and mobility, and improve their overall well-being.

 

Conclusion

In conclusion, physiotherapy plays a crucial role in helping new mothers recover from the physical demands of pregnancy and childbirth. By targeting specific exercises to improve core strength, joint mobility, and addressing other postpartum conditions, physiotherapy can help new mothers alleviate pain and discomfort, regain their strength and mobility, and improve their overall well-being.

It is important for new mothers to seek the help of a physiotherapist and to communicate any discomfort or pain they may be experiencing during treatment. With the right physiotherapy plan and support, new mothers can feel confident in their ability to care for their new baby and enjoy the joys of motherhood. If you are looking to physiotherapy in postpartum recovery, consider getting in touch with one of the Human Integrated Performance physiotherapists.

 

FAQ

How soon after giving birth can I start physiotherapy?

You should wait six weeks after giving birth before beginning physiotherapy. However, it is best to wait until you have been cleared by your obstetrician or family doctor before starting any exercise program.

How often do I need to see a physiotherapist for postpartum recovery?

The frequency of physiotherapy sessions will depend on your individual needs and recovery progress. Your physiotherapist will work with you to develop a treatment plan that is tailored to your specific needs.

Will physiotherapy hurt?

In general, physiotherapy should not hurt. The goal of physiotherapy is to alleviate pain and improve mobility, not to cause more pain. However, it's important to communicate with your physiotherapist about any discomfort you may be experiencing during treatment. They can adjust the treatment plan accordingly to minimize discomfort and provide appropriate pain management techniques.

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