Pregnancy & Postpartum Care

The goal of physical therapy during pregnancy and postpartum periods is to address spinal and pelvic joint dysfunction, instruct in exercises to address muscle weakness and imbalance, as well as provide guidance and instruction related to modification of ADLs that may be difficult and/or painful during these phases of life.

During the prenatal period, physical and hormonal changes occur, which can affect the musculoskeletal system. These changes include altered posture, shortened muscles, potential muscle imbalances, as well as changes in spinal mobility and bony alignment.

During the postpartum phase, fluctuating hormone levels combined with additional physical changes as a result of delivery may also result in musculoskeletal concerns, such as excessive joint mobility, potential muscle imbalances, weakness of the core stabilizers and altered spinal mobility and function.

Common diagnoses we treat (but are not limited to):

• Pelvic girdle joint pain (sacroiliac, pubic symphysis, sacral and coccyx joint dysfunctions)

• Lumbar/low back pain (including lumbosacral nerve root irritation/sciatica)

• Upper quarter conditions (carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis and thoracic outlet syndrome)

• Cervical/upper back pain

• Muscle spasm/myofascial pain (piriformis, gluteal, paraspinal, abdominal musculature, etc.)

• Pelvic floor dysfunction (weakness, pain, improper neuromuscular control and/or incontinence)

• Diastasis rectus abdominis

• Core weakness

• Cesarean scar pain