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Women’s Physical Therapy: Pregnancy

Pregnancy and Physical TherapyOne of the most common conditions that almost 70% of the pregnant women struggle with is lower back pain. The main reason for this lower back pain is lack of alignment as a result of the center of gravity moving forward. As the pregnancy continues and the baby continues to grow in the womb there is some constraint on the mid-back, shoulder, and the entire neck-area. This eventually results in back pain.

Besides, the normal pain in the back and the hip bone, women have complained of some stabbing pains around the abdomen and uterus. There are many changes that occur in the body of a woman during her pregnancy resulting in various parts of her body aching. However, at Fusion Physical Therapy, our experienced and trained women’s health physical therapist can aid you with effective treatments to go through pregnancy successfully.

What really causes stabbing pains around uterus?

  • Round pain ligament – usually occurs during the second trimester
  • Cramping – occurs as the uterus expands
  • Constipation
  • Bloating
  • Gas

Chronic pain could be an indication of something more serious like a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy. Nevertheless, there are sharp pains even when you have a normal pregnancy. But if your pain is accompanied by the following you need to see a doctor immediately:

  • Vomiting
  • Heavy bleeding
  • Blood flow
  • Vaginal discharge
  • Chills
  • Fever
  • Difficulty in breathing
  • Difficulty in walking

How Do We Help You?

Most of the expectant mothers who visit Fusion Physical Therapy complain of lower back pains and pain around the uterus. Jackie Saravane, our trained women’s health physical therapist, can help with conditions that are caused during and after pregnancy. Jackie will partner with you to create a customized tratement plan that may include one or more of the following treatments:

  • Heat and Ice Treatments which will be used cautiously
  • Stabilization exercises including core muscle training and pelvic floor muscle exercises
  • Therapeutic exercises which tone muscles, reduce fatigue and improve metabolism

If you are seeking quality patient care and would like to relieve pain during and after your pregnancy then call us today to book an appointment!

Pregnancy and Physical Therapy

Pregnancy can create many issues for women. In fact, studies show that approximately 50% to 70% women experience back pain during pregnancy. For many women the pain disappears after pregnancy however more than 33% of the women will continue to experience back pain up to a year after pregnancy. While the baby is growing inside the uterus the pressure causes the center of gravity to move forward and creates a strain on the lower back which is where most women experience the pain. This gravity pull causes a woman to slump forward and creates poor alignment. Over time this pull makes the shoulders begin to roll forward which then creates stress on the neck, mid-back and shoulder.

Pain in the pelvic girdle, hips and lumbar region are most commonly experienced during pregnancy. Sandi Gallagher, PT, of Oregon Health & Science University in Portland states that “In pregnancy, women are more predisposed to these conditions because of the ligamentous laxity that results from hormonal changes, and because a woman’s center of gravity and body mass are changing,” Gallagher further explains. “So, any muscle weakness or joint instability that she had coming into the pregnancy increases her difficulty meeting the increased demands of her body’s changes.”

How is lower back pain treated for women?

At Fusion Physical Therapy we treat lower back pain due to pregnancy with a combination of treatments such as braces, exercise therapy, manual therapy and education. We will work with you by teaching new and proper ways to perform regular daily routine activities that will reduce lower back pain.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists suggests 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week throughout a pregnancy and should include one or more of the following exercises:

  1. Abdominal strengthening
  2. Aerobic activity
  3. Pelvic floor muscle exercises

What are the benefits of exercising during pregnancy?

Below are just a few of the many benefits of exercising during pregnancy:

  1. Alleviate pain and discomfort during pregnancy
  2. Faster recovery
  3. Reduced pregnancy and labor risks
  4. Lose weight quicker
  5. Babies tend to be healthier

What can I expect at my physical therapy session?

At Fusion Physical Therapy our trained women’s health physical therapist will partner with you to create a customized treatment plan which will help relieve back and pelvic pain during and after pregnancy and may include:

  • Heat and Ice treatment: used cautiously
  • Stabilization exercises that include pelvic floor muscles and core muscles
  • Therapeutic exercise: tones muscles, improves metabolism and decreases fatigue

Contact Fusion Physical Therapy today via phone at 580.699.5455 or online at http://lawtonphysicaltherapy.com.