Physical Therapy for Postpartum Women

All women experience significant changes in their bodies during and after pregnancy and can benefit from a post-partum physical therapy evaluation. Often times women report ‘still feeling not right’, even after they have been cleared by their Obstetricians at 6 weeks to return to intercourse and other activities. Physical therapy can help post-partum women recover from delivery quickly and safely, eliminate pelvic pain, and avoid later complications such as stress urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse.

Evaluations for post-partum women include:

Musculoskeletal Examination. This includes an assessment of structure, muscles, tissue, and a manual evaluation of your pelvic floor muscles. We can identify problematic muscles and scar tissue and develop a treatment plan based on your specific findings.

Diastasis Recti Examination. It is not uncommon for the rectus abdominus muscles to separate at the linea alba as a women’s abdomen distends with pregnancy. Women may notice that their stomach muscles seem ‘different’ and can benefit from specific exercises to correct the problem. Standard exercises, Pilates, and yoga can make this problem worse and should only be introduced after the Diastasis has been closed.

Scar mobilization for Cesarean Section, episiotomy, and other vaginal scars. Scar tissue can cause persistent pain and lead to discomfort and pain with intercourse. This can be corrected with manual physical therapy techniques.

Pelvic Floor Muscle motor control exercises and training to treat Urinary Incontinence. Most women are told about Kegel exercises and most women report confusion about how to do them properly, how often, etc. Treating incontinence involves proper Kegel instructions as well as training in other key exercises to eliminate the problem.

Patient Education. We can answer your questions, help you safely return to exercise, and help you restore your musculoskeletal health.

The stresses of pregnancy, vaginal deliveries, and C-sections cause myofascial dysfunction that can lead to bothersome and embarrassing symptoms. Many women suffer in silence or well-intended physicians may dismiss their concerns because ‘they just had a baby’.  Women may complain of dyspareunia, diminished or absent orgasm, urinary frequency, urgency, retention, or leaking, vulvovaginal pain, tailbone pain, constipation and difficulty evacuating, and difficulty with exercise.

The good news is the therapists at the Pelvic Health and Rehabilitation Center can easily treat many of these symptoms. The therapists utilize manual therapy techniques to treat urinary, bowel, sexual dysfunction and pelvic pain. An individualized, restorative Home Exercise Program will also be prescribed to improve strength and function and avoid future impairments.