Pre & Post Natal Care at Physio4Life
Senior Physiotherapist, Jenny Strachan, has a special interest in Pre and Post-natal care. She offers a variety of Physiotherapy treatments including Clinical Pilates, as well as pregnancy massage and advice on returning to exercise.
Physiotherapy in the Pre-natal period
Pain in the back or pelvis during pregnancy is very common. Muscle and joint pain can come on at any stage of the pregnancy due to ligaments relaxing and the mechanical changes taking place in your body as it accommodates a growing baby. Women often report discomfort on walking or when turning over in bed.
A Physiotherapy treatment includes a full assessment and an individual treatment program, which may include manual therapy, massage, advice on day to day activities, pain management techniques and a Pilates based exercise program including pelvic floor exercises. Acupuncture can also be a great pain relieving tool during pregnancy when you are unable to take oral analgesics.
Physiotherapy in the Post-natal period
We understand that after the birth of your baby, whether it is your first or your third, your life changes. Your wellbeing during this period is important for both you and your baby. Whether you are experiencing specific post-natal complications, or simply want to get back into exercise, we are here to help.
You may have had a long or complicated delivery; some of the more common include Caesarean or episiotomy or a separation of the abdominal muscles during pregnancy called Rectus Diastasis. These should not stop you from exercising but you will need to ovoid certain movements and activates to ensure that you get the best possible outcome. We can give you advice and a specific exercise program to help you back to fitness.
Urinary incontinence affects 1 in 4 women during their life and can be experienced as an unpleasant side effect of pregnancy and birth. Studies have shown that physiotherapy to retrain the pelvic floor is effective in reducing incontinence by improving the voluntary control and awareness of the pelvic floor muscles.