Postpartum Services
In many countries physical therapy evaluations are mandatory in the post-partum population to identify any existing impairments and to help restore muscle integrity that can otherwise lead to dysfunction and pain. It is appropriate for all post-partum women to have a specialized physical therapy evaluation to identify any impairments from childbirth and prevent future problems stemming from changes in a woman’s body from pregnancy and delivery.
All women experience significant changes in their bodies during and after pregnancy. To help women achieve their maximum potential to care for their new baby and prevent further complications we offer postpartum physical therapy.
Postpartum services include:
- Thorough musculoskeletal examination of the external and pelvic floor muscle groups for length, strength, and motor control and an individualized Home Exercise Program to prevent and treat the impairments.
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- o Avoid further dysfunction typically caused by standard exercise programs before the musculoskeletal dysfunction has been corrected
- Assessment and correction of Diastasis Recti (separation of the rectus abdominus muscle which commonly occurs during healthy pregnancies). Diastasis Recti is a leading cause of pelvic floor dysfunction including incontinence, low back and pelvic pain, and prolapsed organs
- Women who have had a Cesarean section may experience persistent pain and/or dysfunction post-operatively.
- Symptoms following a Cesarean section include:
- Suprapubic and/or abdominal pain
- Incision scar pain and/or hypersensitivity
- Dyspareunia (pain with intercourse)
- Urinary dysfunction
- The incision from a Cesarean Section can cause connective tissue restrictions and myofascial trigger points in the abdominal muscles which both commonly contribute to urinary dysfunction, suprapubic and/or abdominal pain and dyspareunia.
- Your physical therapist will normalize the tight tissue and eliminate myofascial trigger points with manual therapy techniques. A home exercise program will be prescribed to facilitate recovery and maintain the gains made. Resolution of the musculoskeletal dysfunction will result in the elimination of your symptoms.
- Symptoms following a Cesarean section include:
Unfortunately the stresses of pregnancy, vaginal deliveries, and C-sections may lead to myofascial complications following the birth of the baby. Many women suffer is silence or their concerns are dismissed by good-intending physicians because ‘they just had a baby’. Many of these symptoms can be easily treated by a physical therapist specializing in postpartum care.
Common Postpartum Complaints
- Provoked or unprovoked pain at the site of the episiotomy or perineal tear
- Decreased sexual satisfaction
- Delayed, decreased or diminished orgasm
- Pain or incontinence with intercourse or orgasm
- Urinary and fecal incontinence
- Uncontrolled flatulence
- Clitoral, vaginal, rectal, pubic or tailbone pain
- Pubic symphysis dehiscence
- Assessment and treatment of other musculoskeletal complaints in postpartum women
- Upper back and neck pain associated with breast-feeding
- Upper extremity pain and numbness from child care
- Low back and lower extremity pain
- Decreased capacity for exercise
Examinations include a thorough oral history and physical examination. The physical examination includes an internal and external evaluation of the muscles for trigger points and motor control, evaluation of connective tissue and neural tension, and a structural and biomechanical evaluation.
The physical therapists at the Pelvic Health and Rehabilitation Center are skilled at identifying postpartum musculoskeletal problems. They will use manual therapy techniques and appropriate exercise to decrease pain, restore function, and prevent future problems.