Pre/PostNatal Physical Therapy

Many women, at some point in their pregnancy, will experience some type of pain or discomfort due to the changes their bodies undergo. At ECM Physical Therapy, we have created pre and post natal therapy programs, with the goal of providing our expecting and new mothers, uniquely individualized experiences, tailored to their specific needs. We have incorporated the benefits of exercise and manual therapies/massage and combined them together to help relieve the physical and mental stresses to the body resulting in a less painful and more relaxing, healthy experience.

At ECM Physical Therapy we also provide services for the following:

• High Risk pregnancy

• Geriatric pregnancy

• Trigger Labor Therapy

• Trigger Induction Therapy

• Pelvic Pre & Post Natal Therapy

What Our Patients Think of Our Pre/Post Natal Program

Although being an expectant mother is a joyous experience, UNFORTUNATELY the body undergoes changes that can alter the structure and normal functioning requiring professional INTERVENTION to help get the body “back on the right track” to restore proper mechanics and help to relieve the pains associated with it.

Here are some common conditions associated with pre & post natal mom’s:

Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction

Symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD) is a condition that causes excessive movement of the pubic symphysis, with associated pain, that can be a result of a misaligned pelvis.

The main symptom is usually pain or discomfort in the pelvic region, usually centered on the joint at the front of the pelvis (the pubic symphysis). Some sufferers report being able to hear and feel the pubic symphysis and/or sacroiliac, clicking or popping in and out as they walk or change position. 

Pain can range from mild to severe, and may be affected by the type of movement attempted.  This can include climbing stairs and weight-bearing activities.  

Treatment would focus on stabilizing the pelvis and strengthening the supporting muscles.  This would include pelvic floor therapy for strength, massage/manual therapies to reduce muscle spasm, and a managed exercise program.  Chiropractic adjustments may also help to align the pelvis.

Diastasis Recti

Diastasis recti (also known as abdominal separation) is commonly defined as a gap between the two sides of the rectus abdominis muscle

In pregnant or postpartum women, the condition is caused by the stretching of the rectus abdominis by the growing uterus.

Women are more susceptible to develop diastasis recti when over the age of 35, high birth weight of child, multiple birth pregnancy, and multiple pregnancies. Additional causes can be attributed to excessive abdominal exercises after the first trimester of pregnancy.

The physician may recommend supervised exercises or physiotherapy to help strengthen the abdominal muscles.  Incorrect exercises may increase the separation.  

Pelvic Floor Dysfunction

Pelvic floor dysfunction is an generalized term for a variety of disorders that occur when pelvic floor muscles and ligaments are impaired. Symptoms include pelvic pain, pressure, pain during sex, incontinence, incomplete emptying, and visible organ protrusion.  It affects a great number of pregnant women who have given birth, although some women may have congenitally weak tissues.

Causes include a weak pelvic floor due to lengthening of tissues to accommodate the growing baby or a prolonged labor.

An overactive, tight pelvic floor causing muscle spasm and weakness.

Kegel exercises, also called pelvic floor exercises, help strengthen the muscles that support the uterus, bladder, and bowels.  Pregnant women who perform Kegel exercises often find they have an easier birth. Strengthening these muscles during pregnancy can help you develop the ability to control your muscles during labor and delivery. Toning these muscles will also minimize two common problems during pregnancy: decreased bladder control and hemorrhoids.

Kegel exercises are also recommended after pregnancy to promote perineal healing, regain bladder control, and strengthen pelvic floor muscles. 

Pelvic Floor Dysfunction: Symptoms/problems created include pain around the scar, reduced movements, low back pain, muscular trigger points, nerve irritation, urinary frequency/urgency.  Treatments include manual therapy/massage treatments to the scar tissue (to increase elasticity and reduce adhesions which can impair blood circulation) and manual therapy/massage to the surrounding areas to keep the body relaxed and flexible.  Supervised exercises are beneficial during the healing process to help ease the muscles back to their normal function. A balanced exercise program will help facilitate the healing processes.   The experienced pre/post natal therapist will be able to provide the correct exercises to ensure proper healing and rehabilitation. 

C-section scar formation

Symptoms/problems created include pain around the scar, reduced movements, low back pain, muscular trigger points, nerve irritation, urinary frequency/urgency. Treatments include massage treatments to the scar tissue (to increase elasticity and reduce adhesions which can impair blood circulation) and massage to the surrounding areas to keep the body relaxed and flexible. Supervised yoga and Pilates exercises are beneficial during the healing process to help ease the muscles back to their normal function. A balanced exercise program will help facilitate the healing processes. The experienced pre/post natal therapist will be able to provide the correct exercises to ensure proper healing and rehabilitation.

Shortness of breath

Many people breathe with shallow breaths, not using their full lung capacity.   With the prenatal population, As the pregnancy commences and continues, with the baby getting larger, it can decrease the space for the diaphragm to expand.  This coupled with the tightening of muscles in the back and ribcage areas, can result in a reduced breath, and may cause the symptom of shortness of breath.  Exercises performed by a physical therapist, along with supplemental exercises such as yoga and Pilates, that can focus on breathing can be helpful in these cases.  By working on diaphragmatic breathing and relaxing tight muscles, an improved airway may be provided, thus providing a fuller breath. Here at ECM Physical Therapy we incorporate Pilates based physical therapy exercises for a more comprehensive approach.

Low back pain, Sciatica, and Piriformis syndrome 

Many changes occur to the body during the pregnancy experience.  Unfortunately, some of these changes cause the body to adapt to “less than perfect” postures.  The shifting of body weight and the adaptation for this creates an imbalance in the symmetry of the body’s supporting structures.  This can be most often seen in the areas of the lower back and hip regions.   This can lead to conditions of the lower back, as well as, sciatica and piriformis syndrome.  Let us explain,

As the baby grows, the body has to rebalance itself for the shifting of weight and the changing center of gravity.  As the body repositions itself, the curvature of the lumbar spine follows to support this change in weight.  

The surrounding soft tissue (muscles, ligaments, tendons) will also “follow the flow” and make compensatory changes to the new posture.  

The increased weight usually causes an increase in the normal lordosis (forward curve) of the lumbar spine and tilting of the pelvis.  This combined with the hormonal changes causing laxity of the ligaments puts an excessive strain to these areas.  Muscles of the back, hips  and pelvis may tighten as a reflex to prevent injury.  These muscle spasms may compress the sciatic nerve and result in pain in the back, buttock &/or leg(s).

Treatments for these conditions include specific, focused physical theory exercises to strengthen and support the growing body along with manual therapy trigger point treatments to help release the tight muscles. Supportive care may include chiropractic care and supervised exercises including yoga and Pilates.