Physical Therapy and Pregnancy
Pregnancy can be considered as one of the most beautiful and rewarding experiences for the mother and her partner. Pregnancy, although it is thoroughly a wonderful experience, can also be marked with difficulties and nervousness. Some soon-to-be mothers feel more physical difficulties that others. Physical therapy can help women who are experiencing difficulties and pain.
With physical therapy, women can increase their comfort and reduce pain, especially back pain. Prenatal and postnatal discomforts and pain can be managed by doing a few exercises to improve muscle tone.
Upper and lower back pains can be attributed to the constant changes the body experience while being pregnant. It can be constant or irregular. Experts would say that discomfort while being pregnant is common but nagging pain should not only be connected to pregnancy. Frequent back pains should be immediately consulted.
Other common causes of back pain would be missteps, tight hip muscles due to sitting down for a long time or sitting on very soft chairs. Putting too much weight on one foot or one leg can also strain the back. Which is why physical therapists would also recommend balancing exercises.
To reduce back pains or discomforts, common things that could be recommended by a physical therapist are exercise, massage, cold or hot packs, back supports, proper lifting or pushing movements, and proper posture.
Aside from back pains, pregnant women also experience some tingling sensation and sometimes cramps in the legs and arms. Again, a physical therapist may use an exercise program to enhance a better blood circulation. This would eventually relieve the pain and the tingling sensation.
There are also programs for women who have high risk pregnancies, like women who are required to have bed rest. Physical therapy would not only help in reducing back pains and leg cramps, it would also help prepare you for the stress of giving birth.
After giving birth, women can still deal with a lot of issues like sacroiliac (SI) pain, weak abdominal muscles, pain from the operation (whether it is episiotomy or c-section), pelvic muscle pain which can lead to pain or discomfort when urination, removing vowels, or intercourse.
These complications brought about by pregnancy are the reason why physical therapist would recommend constant movement. A physical therapist evaluates the medical history, the symptoms and check for the motion of your limbs and other parts of the body. The physical therapist would create a plan that would increase the strength and motion of the muscles.
These exercises and movements will not only assist you during your pregnancy and during childbirth. The good thing about getting a professional therapist to assist you is that they would surely recommend an exercise regimen that would be safe and easy for you. Easy exercises would include exercises for posture, stretching and massages.
A physical therapist also makes sure that he or she maintains a strong communication and coordination with the attending OBGYN. You also need your doctors referral before you can get into a physical therapist.
Another amazing thing about physical therapy, not only can it help in pain and discomfort management, it can also assist you in getting pregnant. There are studies showing that the Wurn technique can increase fertility, whether it is natural or in vitro fertilization. Researchers are still expanding their research and study about the effectiveness of this method.