Pregnancy is both fulfilling and a time of great happiness. Although this is such an exciting time, it’s natural for your body to experience numerous challenges and discomforts as you prepare for a healthy pregnancy.
Back pain is one of the most commonly experienced symptoms of pregnancy, affecting 50% - 80% of women, while only 23% of women meet the recommended level of physical activity throughout their pregnancy.
Maybe you’re a first-time mom excited and slightly terrified of this new chapter, or you’re a seasoned mother with baby number five on the way. Whichever stage of life you’re in, physical therapy can help manage and lessen the discomforts of pregnancy, along with preparing your body for birth.
Benefits of Physical Therapy While Pregnant
Physical therapy is not only for the recovery and postpartum period. All the raging hormones and changes happening over the course of many months can wreak havoc on your body. Physical therapy can alleviate some of the pain from pregnancy and keep you physically active to prepare for birth.
A physical therapist will address your strength, mobility, and flexibility, contributing to a smooth pregnancy and uncomplicated labor and delivery.
Here are some reasons you may want to incorporate physical therapy into your prenatal care:
Pregnant women should avoid extremes when it comes to physical activity. Walking, swimming, and stretching are great ways to condition your body at a moderate pace to strengthen the back and core muscles.
Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy
Your physical therapist will tailor your treatment plan based on your specific needs and may target areas such as your back, hips, and abdomen. But what is the pelvic floor, and why does strengthening your pelvic floor muscles promote an easy delivery?
The pelvic floor muscles rest between the tailbone and the pubic bone and experience considerable strain during pregnancy and childbirth. Your pelvic floor muscles won’t strengthen over time on their own, and age will cause them to weaken, which is why exercise is important throughout your pregnancy.
Strengthening your pelvic floor muscles helps your body cope with the growing weight of the baby, prevents incontinence during and after pregnancy, and can reduce the likelihood of perineal tearing.
Prenatal Physical Therapy With Luna
At Luna, we understand that pregnancy and birth are a large feat. While you’re busy with all the preparations that accompany having a newborn, you shouldn’t be adding on the stress of driving to the clinic and sitting in the waiting room for your PT session. That’s why our board-certified PT specialists will come to you, meeting you when and where you need it.
Schedule an appointment with one of our pregnancy-specialized physical therapists at Luna and learn how you can get in-home outpatient care that fits your busy schedule.
