Pregnancy and Postpartum
Current research studies show that pregnant women who learn to use their pelvic floor muscles correctly prior to delivery gain benefits related to improved postpartum recovery for the mother. Learning to relax this specific muscle group can aide in delivery and learning to engage these muscles correctly can improve blood flow and enhance healing postpartum. At Phoenix Physical Therapy, we specialize in a treatment strategy and technique that allows the mother-to-be to visualize the pelvic floor muscles that allows her to make any necessary changes in muscle function through awareness and muscle control.
Some women may experience musculoskeletal aches and pains in the hips/back and/or pelvis as the pregnancy progresses and posture shifts occur. Physical therapy intervention at Phoenix Physical Therapy takes into consideration these changes and helps the mother-to-be make simple and effective changes to the daily routine to help promote greater comfort during this exciting time of pregnancy, preparing the mother for a positive birth experience.
Our clinic provides the soothing atmosphere and environment to maximize your learning experience and creates the comfortable setting to promote healing, muscle stability, wellbeing and expertise to support you through the postpartum recovery phase.
Whether you have experienced a normal or complicated pregnancy and/or childbirth, you have entered a phase of pelvic floor muscle dysfunction that may be symptomatic or not. Common symptoms you may experience include: urinary/fecal leakage, back pain, rectal pain, pain with intercourse, organ prolapse, weak core, diastasis recti, and constipation following vaginal delivery or caesarean section. Other complicated symptoms may include tail bone pain, pelvic pain due to vaginal wall tear and episiotomies, scar tissue build up and limited overall mobility following caesarean section. Many women don’t think of their pelvic floor muscles as part their core stability. If these muscles are not rehabilitated, pelvic floor muscle dysfunction symptoms may rise or worsen as you approach menopausal age or if planning to be pregnant again. Pelvic floor muscle dysfunction can also affect your lower back or hip stability.
