Five Reasons to See a Physiotherapist When You Are Pregnant or Postpartum
Posted on: 14 March 2017
When you think of physiotherapy, you may think of rehabilitation after an injury or learning to cope with a long-term disability. In most cases, people don't think about using physiotherapy to prepare for childbirth. However, if you are pregnant, you may want to consider using physiotherapy in some or all of the following ways.
1. Address Neck and Back Pain
Being pregnant can lead to a lot of back and neck pain, and even after you have the baby, carrying it around can strain your muscles. Physiotherapists can also help with this. In group lessons or private sessions, a therapist can assess where you are feeling pain and advise you on exercises to do. Key exercises can strengthen your back and core so that you are able to easily hold your baby without pain both in utero and beyond.
2. Give Yourself a Break
Physiotherapy isn't just about doing exercises. It's also about treating yourself to a bit of relaxation. Physiotherapists give massages to help loosen and relax your muscles. Whether you are pregnant or postpartum, that can be just the indulgence you need.
3. Take Advantage of Physiotherapists Special Knowledge
Massages and exercise are just two of the components of physiotherapy. This type of medical treatment takes a whole body or holistic approach to health. As a result, if you go in due to aches, pain, or hampered movement during pregnancy, your physiotherapist won't look at those complaints in a purely physical vacuum. Rather, he or she will also help you think about what else in your life is causing those pains. Then, he or she may help you develop new diet goals, give you important information on prenatal nutrition, or guide you toward relaxation and exercise techniques you can do from home.
4. Use Physiotherapy After Giving Birth to Get in Shape
After giving birth, your skin may feel stretched out, and some of your muscles may feel weak. To strengthen your body and improve your tone, you may want to see if a physiotherapist in your area offers postnatal workout classes. Some physiotherapists even offer classes in therapeutic hot pools, and that can feel great when you're doing the grueling work of taking care of a baby and trying to get your body back in shape.
5. Deal With Incontinence With Physiotherapy
Many people struggle with incontinence after giving birth, and guess what? A physiotherapist can help you strengthen your pelvic floor muscles as well, and that can help you avoid accidents.
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