Pregnancy can come with some physical discomfort. Our physical therapists who specialize in women’s health incorporate various exercises and treatment methods to help ease the discomfort of pregnancy.

Here are a few common complaints we’ve encountered from our pregnant patients:

Common issues that may develop as a result of being pregnant include the following:

Common issues that may develop as a result of being pregnant include the following:

• Lumbopelvic Pain – The body releases a hormone that relaxes joints in the pelvic area, thus causing the ligaments in the spine to loosen and create discomfort.
• Pelvic Floor Dysfunction – Urgency/Frequency/Bladder symptoms
• Neck Pain – The changes in your body during pregnancy can poorly affect your posture and create discomfort in the areas around the neck.
• Leg/Foot Pain – Pain in the lower extremities, such as added pressure to the knees and feet, can also occur during pregnancy.
• Round Ligament Pain – Round ligament pain occurs when the pelvic ligaments that support your uterus start to soften or stretch.

Physical Therapy Treatments

For physical therapy, MOTION specializes in a variety of treatments for your specific needs during pregnancy. Examples of treatment plans that we incorporate include the following:

• Musculoskeletal pain treatment
• Pelvic Floor Dysfunction Treatment
• Personalized Exercises to prepare birth and prevent diastasis recti and pelvic floor dysfunction

Pelvic and lower back pain treatment is known to strengthen the muscles in the pelvic and lower back area, helping to reduce or avoid stress incontinence after the pregnancy.

Pain Prevention and Relief at Home

You may also be wondering what measures you should take at home for relieving or preventing pain during pregnancy. To stay as comfortable as possible, we recommend the following strategies:

• Hot/cold massage – Regular massage can help with joint pain and may ease soreness in muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
• Maintain a consistent posture – Correct posture can help decrease the amount of lower back and neck pain you experience during pregnancy.
• Sleep on your side – Sleeping on your side helps keep the uterus from adding pressure to the liver, and can limit symptoms such as heartburn, shortness of breath, and back pain.
• Include physical activity in your daily routine – Regular physical activity helps keep your posture stable and will help minimize common discomforts such as backaches and fatigue.
• Take a pregnancy-safe probiotic – Probiotics aid in digestion and can alleviate pregnancy constipation symptoms.

Benefits of Physical Therapy While Pregnant

The potential benefits of pursuing physical therapy during pregnancy include:

• Physical therapy during pregnancy will help prepare your body for delivery and recovery.
• Your physical therapist will help you increase your endurance and muscle strength.
• Physical therapy will help alleviate upper and lower back pain and neck pain.
• Your physical therapist will help improve and strengthen the areas surrounding your hip, abdomen, and lower back.

Visit MOTION if you are seeking physical therapy prior to childbirth. The physical therapists at MOTION are here to help alleviate any pains and aches you may be experiencing, so you can enjoy a comfortable, healthy pregnancy. Contact MOTION for physical therapy today.