Pre and Post Pregnancy Therapy
Pregnancy can be a traumatic experience to our bodies. Whether you need to help to get out of pain, reclaim mobility or simply need help laying out a road map for getting in shape again, we can help.
During pregnancy, the growing uterus stretches the abdominal muscles, leaving them weaker. After delivery, the combination of weaker abdominal muscles and additional weight around the midsection often changes posture, placing extra stress on the lower back. Hormonal changes during and after pregnancy can further contribute to discomfort. Our specialized therapy focuses on relieving pain, strengthening core muscles, and improving posture to restore mobility and comfort.
Physical Therapy is an effective course of treatment for post-pregnancy low back pain. The first goal during treatment is to decrease any inflammation surrounding the nerve roots in the low back. Typical treatment for inflammation is to use anti-inflammatory medication, although, for nursing moms this may not be an option depending on doctor recommendation. Other options to reduce inflammation in the low back include cryotherapy. Once inflammation is controlled, treatment would focus on reducing muscular tension and poor postural habits that may contribute to increased pain through stretching and retraining of posture and positioning. Finally, the long term goal is to retrain the musculature surrounding the spine and hips to better support weight and support the low back through increase tone and bulk.
Low Back Pain
Post-pregnancy leg pain can stem from various causes, with the most critical being Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). Symptoms of DVT include leg pain, swelling in one calf, ankle, foot, or thigh, as well as redness or warmth in a specific area. Our team works to rule out serious conditions and offers treatments tailored to relieving leg pain, improving circulation, and promoting recovery.
Physical Therapy is an effective course of treatment for post-pregnancy leg pain. Treatment for unilateral or bilateral leg pain often focuses on the lower back as this is often the root of the problem. The first goal during treatment is to decrease any inflammation surrounding the nerve roots in the low back. Typical treatment for inflammation is to use anti-inflammatory medication, although, for nursing moms this may not be an option depending on doctor recommendation. Other options to reduce inflammation in the low back include cryotherapy. Once inflammation is controlled, treatment would focus on reducing muscular tension and poor postural habits that may contribute to increased pain through stretching and retraining of posture and positioning. Finally, the long term goal is to retrain the musculature surrounding the spine and hips to better support weight and support the low back through increase tone and bulk.
Leg Pain
Carrying extra weight is a common post-pregnancy experience for women. While fitting back into your pre-pregnancy clothes may be a priority, it’s essential to ensure your body is ready for exercise to prevent strain or injury. Our therapists create personalized plans to safely rebuild strength, support weight loss, and help you feel your best.
At Plan Physical Therapy, we specialize in assessing areas of weakness, putting a game plan together for addressing those then taking it a step further and laying out a roadmap for weight loss through a carefully built individual exercise routine expertly designed around the weaknesses and strengths of each patient. In addition, we don’t want those babies to be shortchanged through the process so we carefully design meal plans and coach moms in their nutrition with registered dieticians. This unique aspect of our business sis accomplished through our business unit Plan Health & Fitness.