Pregnancy & Postpartum Physical Therapy
Pregnancy & Postpartum Physical Therapy
Our team of Women’s Health physical therapists have advanced specialized training in the management of musculoskeletal conditions during the prenatal and postpartum periods.
How can physical therapy help?
The goal of physical therapy during pregnancy and postpartum periods is to address spinal and pelvic joint dysfunction, instruct in exercises to address muscle weakness and imbalance, as well as provide guidance and instruction related to modification of activities of daily living that may be difficult during these phases of life.
Education
- Muscle anatomy and function
- Problems of pregnancy, childbirth and menses
- Postural training and body mechanics
- Care of perineal or abdominal scars
- Bowel/bladder training
- Counseling in splints, orthotics, and maternity back supports
Exercise
- Individualized exercise programs to increase function, strength and flexibility
- Home exercise program
- Stretching
- NMES (electrical stimulation)
Pain Relief
- Myofascial and soft-tissue release techniques
- Joint mobilizations
- Ultrasound and electrical stimulation
- Trigger point release and/or dry needling
- EMG Biofeedback
- Taping
Prenatal
During the prenatal period, physical and hormonal changes occur, which can affect the musculoskeletal system. These changes include:
- Altered posture
- Shortened muscles
- Potential muscle imbalances
- Changes in spinal mobility and bony alignment.
Postpartum
During the postpartum phase, fluctuating hormone levels combined with additional physical changes as a result of delivery may also result in musculoskeletal concerns, such as:
- Excessive joint mobility
- Potential muscle imbalances
- Weakness of the core stabilizers
- Altered spinal mobility and function.
What other diagnosis do we treat?
Our specialty trained Women's Health physical therapist, Tanya Cancade, treats diagnosis but not limited to:
- Pelvic girdle joint pain (sacroiliac, pubic symphysis, sacral and coccyx joint dysfunctions)
- Low back pain (including lumbosacral nerve root irritation/sciatica)
- Upper Quarter Conditions (carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis and thoracic outlet syndrome)
- Cervical/ Upper back pain
- Muscle Spasm (piriformis, gluteal, paraspinal, abdominal musculature, etc.)
- Joint Pain
- Pelvic Floor dysfunction (weakness, pain, improper neuromuscular control and/or incontinence)
- Diastasis rectus abdominis (abdominal separation)
- Core weakness
- Episiotomy scar pain
- Cesarean scar pain
- Pelvic organ prolapse
What to expect on your first visit:
You will have a private, in-depth evaluation with our physical therapist, Tanya Cancade, MPT. The evaluation includes your medical history, a movement analysis, and an assessment of your posture, muscles and nerves.
Treatment options and modalities used may vary case to case, as each diagnosis and patient is prescribed individualized treatment for specific goals and needs. Treatment options may include those mentioned above for education, exercise, and pain relief , as well as:
- Muscle energy techniques to realign the pelvic girdle joints and lumbar spine
- Soft tissue mobilization and gentle joint mobilization during prenatal phase
- External/internal soft tissue mobilization, scar mobilization, visceral mobilization and/or joint mobilization during postpartum phase
- Pelvic floor muscle neuromuscular re-education, coordination and strength training
- Lumbopelvic stabilization exercises and core strengthening program
- Postural strengthening
- Diastasis recti correction
- Optimal body mechanics education
- Modalities as appropriate pending prenatal/postpartum status (hot/cold therapy, electrical stimulation, ultrasound)
- Biofeedback (internal and external)
- Home exercise program
Meet our therapists
Our team of Women’s Health physical therapists have advanced specialized training in the management of musculoskeletal conditions during the prenatal and postpartum periods.
Tanya Cancade, MPT, has completed coursework through Herman & Wallace Pelvic Rehabilitation Institute. A few of Tanya's certifications include: Pelvic Floor levels I, IIA, IIB, & III, as well as Trigger Point Dry Needling, ASTYM, McConnell taping & Kinesiotaping.
Mistie-Gaston Smith, PTA , has completed Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation coursework through Herman and Wallace Institute, and has also obtained certifications to include ASTYM, FMS, wound care and flossing & cupping certificates from RockTape.
Kayleigh Rexroad, PTA, BS is certified Pelvic Floor Level I through Herman & Wallace Pelvic Rehabilitation institute. She also has obtained certificates through RockTape for completing a basic taping course as well as the basic and advanced RockBlades courses.
Feel free to contact our therapists directly if you would like more information about pregnancy and postpartum care :