How does physical therapy help with postpartum recovery

Remarkable changes occur, both internally and externally, over the course of pregnancy, labor, and delivery. This leads to significant physical and mental challenges. Physical therapy can be a crucial tool in aiding recovery by reteaching the muscles and brain to communicate and respond so that you do not have to think or worry about how you are moving anymore.

1. Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation:

Pelvic floor rehabilitation is becoming more well known and with good reason. One common misconception, is that pelvic rehab is primarily Kegels to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles. In actuality, pelvic rehab usually includes three main phases of treatment. Usually, pelvic floor symptoms (incontinence, pain with intercourse, hip pain, low back pain, and pelvic pain) are due to overactive muscles, not weak muscles. The first phase of treatment for overactive muscles is to downtrain with manual therapy, breathing exercises, and education. The second phase is strengthening and improving coordination of the pelvic floor muscles. Finally, treatment progresses to return to whatever activities the client wants to do in daily life.

Everyone benefits from pelvic floor physical therapy after every pregnancy, even if you do not have active symptoms right away. Most people will become symptomatic as they increase their activity level or symptoms may develop over time. It is important to know that not all physical therapists, even among those who treat postpartum clients, are trained to assess and treat the pelvic floor. Be sure you find a physical therapist trained in the pelvic floor.

2. Core Strengthening:

Abdominal muscle separation occurs in 100% of pregnancies. Sometimes that separation heals spontaneously, but not always. Even if spontaneous recovery of abdominal separation occurs the abdominal muscles are typically weakened and under responsive. It is helpful to teach the muscles and brain to communicate more effectively so that someone can feel strong in exercise and daily activities. The goal of treatment is to reach a point where your abdominal muscles provide support in all activities and movements without you consciously asking for engagement.

3. Recovery from Pain:

Back pain, hip pain, and pelvic pain are common symptoms to experience postpartum. These symptoms are often related to poor muscle engagement patterns and resulting compensations in the pelvic floor, abdominal muscles, and gluts. Manual therapy to reduce pain combined with targeted exercises to alleviate pain and improve movement patterns allows the body to recover.

4. Scar Tissue Management:

Scars due to cesarean delivery or perineal tears affect many people after delivery. Scar mobilization can be performed by physical therapists to improve tissue mobility, speed and improve healing, and reduce pain. Dry needling and visceral mobilization can be included in treatment to further mobilize scars at all tissue layers.

In order to return to an active lifestyle postpartum, physical therapy is a vital part of recovery that should be included for everyone after every pregnancy. These are 4 ways that physical therapy can improve postpartum recovery, but your care may include additional aspects and benefits.