Have you recently had a baby? Are you having any new leakage that was not a problem prior to becoming pregnant? Is pelvic pain something you are currently experiencing in your postpartum journey?
If you answered yes to any or all of these questions, Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy is right for you!
During pregnancy and the birthing process, the pelvic floor muscles may become stressed, stretched, or sensitive, for obvious reasons. This can lead to a number of conditions, including but not limited to: incontinence, pelvic pain, overactive pelvic floor muscles, etc. According to a recent national poll, about two thirds of women with pelvic floor dysfunction do not seek any help from a medical professional to address their concerns. Physical therapy is a regular expectation in the treatment for any injured muscle so why is it not recommended and encouraged for those of the postpartum population with pelvic floor muscle dysfunction?
The Pelvic Floor is a hammock of muscles that help our body to support and hold our pelvic organs in place, participate in bowel and bladder control, and help with sexual function. The process of birth can cause distress to this complex muscular system. So what can we do about it? By retraining, relaxing, strengthening, and encouraging endurance, we can work to return these muscles to full potential, and help to eliminate postpartum pelvic floor dysfunction. Additionally, by strengthening the core in conjunction with the pelvic floor, we can help to improve the balance between these two muscle groups. Postpartum PT can help with scarring, incontinence, incision healing, weakness of the pelvic floor, and even pelvic floor related back pain. Through soft tissue mobilization, biofeedback, postural work, core strengthening, and manual intervention these issues can be addressed in an individualized manner.
Studies show that not only is pelvic floor physical therapy and muscular training beneficial for postpartum patients, but prenatal patients as well! By incorporating pelvic floor muscle training into your birth plan in addition to your postpartum care, pelvic floor dysfunction can be prevented! This can decrease symptoms after delivery, leading to an improved quality of life and the ability to participate in all of the exciting activities of being a new mom!
So- how can you seek care for the overall well-being of your pelvic floor after giving birth? Try Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy for the post-pregnancy care of the muscles of your pelvic floor!
Snooks, S. J., Swash, M., Mathers, S. E., & Henry, M. M. (1990). Effect of vaginal delivery on the pelvic floor: a 5-year follow-up. The British journal of surgery, 77(12), 1358–1360.
https://doi-org.libproxy.temple.edu/10.1002/bjs.1800771213
Michigan Medicine – University of Michigan. (2018, November 1). Half of women over 50 experience incontinence, but most haven’t talked to a doctor, poll finds: Urine leakage can get in the way of life and exercise; results point to potential importance of routine screening. ScienceDaily. Retrieved May 11, 2021 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/11/181101085113.htm
Romeikienė, K. E., & Bartkevičienė, D. (2021). Pelvic-Floor Dysfunction Prevention in Prepartum and Postpartum Periods. Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania), 57(4), 387.
https://doi-org.libproxy.temple.edu/10.3390/medicina57040387
Benefits of postpartum physical therapy. Benefits of postpartum physical therapy | Premera Blue Cross. (2018, November 26).
https://www.premera.com/wa/visitor/healthsource/getting-care/postpartum-physical-therapy/
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