POSTPARTUM PHYSICAL THERAPY
Postpartum Physical Therapy For The Next Phase
After the delivery of your baby, your postpartum physical therapist can teach you many techniques for helping your pelvic floor to heal in the most optimal way possible. While your body is healing you simultaneously have a new baby to care for which can be additionally stressful on your body when it comes to activities such as lifting and nursing. In addition to rehabilitation specifically focused on the pelvic floor, postpartum physical therapy can also help with other body areas that you may have pain with due to the changing physical body after being pregnant for nine months and giving birth.
Easing Postpartum Pain and Discomfort with Physical Therapy
As your body adjusts to life after childbirth, you may experience pain and discomfort in areas that were affected during pregnancy. Postpartum pain often arises from your body compensating for new postures, movements, and physical changes. Postpartum PT can help address:
​
-
Mid-back and lower back pain are common in most women as they adjust to lifting, breastfeeding, and carrying a baby.
-
Shoulder and neck pain from prolonged feeding positions or carrying your baby.
-
Hip pain, SI joint pain, and discomfort in other areas affected by changes in posture and movement patterns.
-
Jaw pain from tension, especially if you're clenching due to stress or discomfort.
Postpartum physical therapy is designed to rehabilitate your entire body, addressing these areas of discomfort and helping you regain strength, mobility, and flexibility. Whether you're struggling with postnatal pain in specific areas or dealing with general discomfort, therapy will support you in returning to your daily activities quickly and safely. Starting therapy early in the postpartum phase can promote a smoother recovery, allowing you to enjoy your new routine without the limitations of pain.
Postpartum physical therapy can also reduce the risk of incontinence, constipation, and pelvic organ prolapse. Strategies can be taught for improving the symptoms of leaking urine and constipation, as well as pressure management for reducing prolapse. Prolapse can occur due to pushing your baby out vaginally because other pelvic organs including your bladder, rectum, and cervix can be predisposed to descending downward into the vaginal canal. It's important to address this early on in the postpartum phase and throughout the first year to optimally position the organs in the pelvis. ​
The Ongoing Benefits of Postpartum Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy
Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy offers a wealth of benefits that extend far beyond the pregnancy and delivery phases. It's not just something to consider during pregnancy or immediately after childbirth - Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy can help at any stage, whether you're a few months postpartum or even years after giving birth.
One of the most important aspects of Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy is that it’s never too late to seek help. Whether you've just given birth or it's been years since your delivery, your body continues to go through changes. Once you're postpartum, you're always postpartum, and the pelvic floor remains a crucial area of focus for long-term health.
-
No matter how much time has passed, physical therapy can address lingering symptoms or prevent new issues from arising.
-
Whether you're dealing with pelvic floor dysfunction, incontinence, or low back pain, therapy can offer solutions to restore function and ease discomfort.
Physical Therapists Who Address A Range of Postpartum Symptoms
At Refine PT, we believe that postpartum physical therapy isn't just about strengthening the pelvic floor muscles - it’s a holistic approach to treating the whole body. Postpartum physical therapy can address various issues that arise after childbirth:
-
Pelvic floor dysfunction: Includes symptoms like urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, and pelvic pain.
-
Pain in the lower back, hips, and SI joints: Common during the postpartum phase due to changes in posture and core strength.
-
Core weakness: Addressing diastasis recti and other abdominal muscle separations that can occur during pregnancy.
Improving posture and movement: Helping to regain strength and alignment, which may be altered due to pregnancy or the demands of new motherhood.
Improving Your Physical Health And Quality of Life
Beyond physical relief, postpartum physical therapy can improve your overall quality of life by helping you return to your pre-pregnancy activities, reduce pain, and build confidence in your body’s ability to move and function.
-
Rehabilitation and recovery: Whether you’re hoping to return to exercise, running, or simply lifting your child without discomfort, therapy can provide the tools to get you there safely.
-
Prevention of future issues: Addressing symptoms early on, even years after childbirth, can prevent chronic issues from developing and help maintain long-term pelvic health.
Pelvic floor-focused postpartum physical therapy is a key resource for women at every stage of their postpartum journey, and the benefits extend far beyond the immediate recovery phase. Whether you’re one year or 15 years postpartum, therapy can help you feel stronger, healthier, and more empowered as you continue to care for yourself and your family.
