Postnatal physiotherapy helps to rehabilitate and strengthen pelvic floor muscles that have become weakened during childbirth and also help the mother recover with more ease. It is common for women to deal with issues like urinary incontinence, diastasis recti and pelvic pain, but doing certain physiotherapy exercises can reduce this. Without physiotherapy the problems can worsen and lead to urine problems, back/ hip pain, infection and more.
A physiotherapist can help identify impairments in the tissues, muscles, nerves, joints and evaluate the abdominal wall and pelvic floor muscles to determine what has changed during pregnancy, labour, and delivery.
Physiotherapy will help:
- Muscles heal
- Improve urinary and bowel function
- Allow mothers to do daily tasks without putting pressure on abdominal muscles
- Return to exercising safely
An assessment would usually include:
- Discussing the history of the pregnancy, labour and delivery
- Discussing any issues you have following the birth whether a C-section or vaginal birth
- Reviewing breathing, posture, core, and spinal movements
- Assessing stomach muscle separation (rectus diastasis)
- Assessing pelvic floor strength
Treatment can include:
- Working towards specific goals with activities that you would like to get back to doing
- Specific pelvic floor or rectus diastasis rehabilitation
- Soft tissue massage for any surgical scars
- Progressing exercises to help you return to your normal, fit self
- Myofascial release
To find out how we can help you recover after giving birth, please contact us to talk to one of our team at Home Physio Group on 0330 335 1016, or alternatively, please fill in the contact sheet and we will get back to you!