How Physio Could Help You Manage the Pains of Pregnancy
The aches and pains of pregnancy can make day-to-day life much more strenuous than it needs to be. Pregnancy physiotherapy can offer relief for this pain through quality treatments for various symptoms such as muscle cramps, pelvic pain and lower back pain.
Our team at Northern Districts Physiotherapy offer specialised treatments for women’s health and pregnancy, read on to discover why pregnancy physio could work for you.
What are the Benefits of Pregnancy Physio?
Physiotherapy can offer short to long-term pain relief as well as mechanisms for minimising the discomforts of pregnancy. Our qualified physiotherapists will guide you through safe exercises to do whilst pregnant, to make you feel stronger and more comfortable.
Physiotherapy can also help treat a variety of pregnancy-related conditions such as:
- Pubic symphysis pain: pain in the pubic region, often worsened from standing on one leg or separated legs.
- Lower back pain: often resulting from posture and weight change, from joint or muscle issues to disc pathology.
- Carpal tunnel syndrome: wrist and hand pains, including pins and needles or numbness.
- Thoracic pain: pain around the bra strap area, often increasing with the impacts of breastfeeding.
- Rib pain: due to the rib cage expanding to accommodate space.
What are the Types of Physio for Pregnancy?
Physiotherapists may offer various forms of physio depending on your needs and key pain points. These often include, but are not limited to:
Pelvic Floor Exercise
Pregnancy often puts strain on the surrounding organs, including the bladder which can lead to increased urinary frequency and sometimes leakage. Strong pelvic floor muscles will help reduce this as they will support the pelvis and the growing baby. We recommend performing pelvic floor exercises during pregnancy and after childbirth to prevent and treat the pelvic floor.
Posture Training
A large portion of pregnancy pain is a result of the change in posture due to an imbalance of weight from the baby. Posture training can help reduce this imbalance by teaching more comfortable and safe stances, as well as exercises that will support your changing body. In some cases, supports and braces may be prescribed to further aid posture.
Taping and Strapping
Pregnancy taping is a form of support for your growing belly, designed to safely prevent back pain, pelvic pain or hip pain. Much like any other pain area, taping and strapping will help to gently improve posture and muscular support, in turn reducing further strain.
Joint Mobilisation
Joint mobilisation is a manual therapy technique, designed to improve joint range of motion whilst reducing associated pain. Our physiotherapists will gently focus on pressure points to relieve stiffness and aches in the joints.
Prevention Strategies and Education
Of course, education and prevention strategies are one of the best ways to avoid unnecessary pains and muscle or joint related issues before they actually occur. It’s also important to know what forms of exercise to shy away from during and after pregnancy. Seeking professional health advice throughout all stages of your pregnancy will foster the wholistic health of you and your baby.
What is Post-Pregnancy Physio?
After pregnancy, expectant mothers have a change in their centre of gravity in addition to altered hormones which weaken pelvic muscles which can lead to pelvic floor disfunction and incontinence issues. Post-pregnancy physio can continue to strengthen and support these muscles and ligaments after pregnancy.
Pregnancy Physiotherapy Support
Physiotherapy is an effective tool in supporting you and your baby, both during and after pregnancy. At NDPE, our physiotherapy treatments will provide support for pain relief, core and pelvic strengthening as well as self-management mechanisms for maintaining a comfortable pregnancy. Get in touch with us for personalised physiotherapy care.
