Every woman has a different experience with childbirth, with some finding it more difficult than others. Your body naturally changes post-partum, and sometimes it can be challenging to adjust during your recovery. This article is a guide for how a physical therapist at Core3 Physical Therapy can help you during this time.
Tighten abdominal separation
During pregnancy and childbirth, it is common for the fibrous tissue, which attaches the right and left abdominal muscles, to separate. This is a natural way for the body to create room for the baby and its delivery. After childbirth, your abdominal muscles might recover naturally, but sometimes, they can lose their elasticity, causing “diastasis recti.” Diastasis recti is common in women who have given birth to more than one baby, are at an advanced age, or who didn’t exercise regularly pre-pregnancy. It can result in feeling pain during breastfeeding and during other physical activities as well.
In this case, you might be inclined to treat your abdominal pain yourself by doing crunches and other fitness exercises. It is advised that you avoid taking this route because you risk injuring yourself further. Your physical therapist at Core3 Physical Therapy will help you work through exercises specifically targeted to strengthen the abdominal muscles. They will start with basic exercises that target deep core muscles, then evaluate if you need further treatment based on your progress.
Help re-build strong muscles
It’s normal for a woman’s muscles to weaken a bit during pregnancy; however, there are some cases where your muscles might need to be re-trained in order to function properly post-partum. Physical therapists are specially trained to facilitate the restoration of muscle function for patients in different situations, including women who have just given birth. They will recommend exercises tailored to your needs.
You might also feel a level of discomfort in your tailbone, pelvis, and/or hips. This is very common, and a physical therapist at Core3 Physical Therapy can easily help you recover through targeted exercises and consistently monitoring your progress. Similar to when you’re experiencing abdominal pain, you want to avoid attempting to fix it at home. You risk worsening your condition, resulting in potential long-term injury.
Improve incontinence
Urinary and fecal incontinence is caused when your pelvic floor gets stretched out post-childbirth. Your physical therapist can teach you exercises to practice both in the clinic and at home. It’s important to be diligent about sticking to the recommended exercise schedule to ensure a safe recovery.
Post-partum depression
After childbirth, some women might struggle with post-partum depression. While this condition is best treated in concert with a physician, physical therapy may be one helpful part of an overall treatment plan. The exercises provided by a physical therapist can give you a boost in endorphins, and by focusing your mental energy on positive goals, you could see a great improvement in your overall mood. Please note that physical therapists cannot prescribe medication, nor are they trained mental health professionals, so it’s recommended that you work with your physician to ensure proper treatment for post-partum depression.
Women’s bodies undergo a great deal of stress and change during pregnancy and childbirth, and the post-partum stage can be a challenging one. Physical therapy can be one valuable way to start to regain your strength, functionality, and muscle tone after having children.
For questions on post-partum recovery, or other women’s health challenges, contact Core 3 Physical Therapy today!