PRE & POST NATAL PHYSICAL THERAPY QUALIFIED FEMALE HEALTH PROFESSIONALS 02 96823972 244 Pitt St Merrylands 2160 Changes to muscles, ligaments and joints during and after pregnancy affect the whole body. Physical therapists help women mange these changes, providing expert care and advice during pregnancy, childbirth and beyond. Childbirth preparation sessions When preparing for childbirth and parenthood, women and their partners benefit from learning a range of physical techniques and coping skills. Our Physical therapists have the expertise to teach these skills, which include positioning, rhythmic movement, massage, relaxation and breathing awareness. Exercise during Pregnancy Exercise during pregnancy assists a return to normal body shape, muscle tone and strength after the baby is born. Our Health professionals can guide you through ante-natal and post natal low impact pregnancy work-out sessions specifically for pregnant women and new mothers. These sessions are designed to strengthen muscles, relieve pain and improve general fitness. We highly recommend exercise in water which has a number of benefits such as relieving swollen legs and promoting relaxation. We also encourage partaking in pregnancy specific Yoga for pregnant ladies. Yoga is well known to promote increased flexibility, relaxation, stamina, core stability and prepare the body for childbirth. You can find pregnancy specific Yoga DVD’s on all the popular publishing stores such as eBay, Amazon. Back and neck pain The weight of a growing baby causes changes to posture and puts strain on the back, pelvis, neck and shoulders. After the birth, everyday activities like lifting, carrying and feeding the baby can also lead to muscle soreness and joint problems. Physical therapists help women prevent and overcome pain in these areas through safe and effective therapies, including specific strengthening and stretching exercises, posture correction, gentle spinal movements and massage. We provide pregnancy related products at our clinic such as therapeutic pillows, lumbar or belly support belts and posture correction devices. We can also have TENS machines available for purchase for pain relief during your labour. Abdominal muscle weakness During pregnancy, the abdominal muscles are stretched and weakened. They may also separate down the midline. Abdominal weakness results in poor muscle control and backache. Physiotherapists are trained to prescribe specific abdominal exercises to assist full recovery. Breast conditions Blocked breast ducts and mastitis can cause pain which lead to breastfeeding difficulties. Physical therapists use ultrasound and massage to help unblock milk ducts and promote normal milk flow, mothers can then continue breastfeeding. Incontinence and prolapse The pelvic floor muscles help support the pelvic organs. Pregnancy and childbirth may weaken these muscles, increasing the risk of incontinence (uncontrolled loss of urine or faeces) and prolapse (pelvic organs bulging into the vagina). Straining from constipation can also damage the pelvic floor muscles. With expert assessment, treatment and instruction in self-help techniques, physiotherapist can help women prevent or reduce those problems. Pelvic floor muscles are also helpful during pregnancy in that they strengthen the pelvic area in order to prevent lower back pain and hip pain which is exaggerated with the increase of Relaxin in the body. Common Pregnancy Injuries and Treatment Low back pain due to the increasing stresses placed on your lower back as well as the muscles that support your lumbar spine Thoracic pain due to widening of rib cage as the baby grows Falls due to increased weight leading to altered balance and movements o Individualised balance and strengthening program Pregnancy-related fatigue due to the baby using up the mother’s energy stores o Individualised exercise program Changes in foot size and biomechanics due to fluid retention leading to swelling, increased weight, ligament laxity, flattening of longitudinal and metatarsal arches of the feet o Gait assessment, orthotics prescription (if required) Higher risk of re-injury of ankle sprains, muscle and tendon strain, or tendonitis of Achilles tendon o Gait assessment, Individualised strengthening program Knee pain due to ligament laxity and dynamic instability o Individualised strengthening program (muscles hips and around knees) Common Post-Natal Injuries Back and pelvic pain due to changes to the body before and after childbirth, stresses on the body during labour and the effects of looking after/breastfeeding your baby Bladder leakage due to the stresses placed on pelvic floor muscles during labour o Pelvic floor motor control retraining and strengthening
Posted on: Mon, 30 Jun 2014 09:33:46 +0000
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