We provide physiotherapy and massage therapy services for new mothers to help them avoid or manage prenatal and postpartum hip, back, pelvis, and other joint/muscle pain.
Women commonly experience back, hip, or pelvic pain during pregnancy and following delivery. This can be the result of hormonal changes taking place in the body, the increased laxity of the ligaments, or the changes in posture due to weight gain during pregnancy. During second or subsequent pregnancies, most mothers encounter the added strain on the joints that results from caring for and lifting young toddlers.
Other common pregnancy and post-delivery issues women may experience, include:
- Swollen ankles & varicose veins
- Numb, tingling, painful hands & fingers
- Blocked breast ducts
- Weak abdominal muscles
- Altered pelvic floor function
Some mothers will also experience a “diastasis recti”, a separation between the right and left abdominal muscles. This condition is more common in women who have had multiple pregnancies, and is a direct result of the increased pressure placed on the abdominal wall by the growing uterus. Specific core exercises or bracing are very important to accelerate recovery and increase function. If this condition is left untreated, some women would experience hernias and pain that require surgery to treat.
Treatment:
At Expert Physio Plus in Ottawa, Orléans and Carleton Place, ON your Physiotherapist and/or massage therapist can help treat and prevent any of the above problems. Treatment will begin with a detailed evaluation to determine the problems contributing to your pain/dysfunction. Then, your therapist will instruct you on how to alleviate your pain through a combination of positioning, posture, or the use of taping and pelvic supports as well as heat, myofascial release, acupuncture, massage, stretches and joint mobilizations that will aid in the recovery of the strength necessary to meet the multiple demands of motherhood. Request an appointment.