Reasons for Using Physiotherapy During Your Pregnancy
Pregnancy is an intense time for any woman. While women's bodies are extraordinarily equipped for dealing with pregnancy, sometimes the changes and strains require a little extra help. There are many reasons for using physiotherapy during your pregnancy, and here are some of the key ones.
Enhance your pelvic floor before and after the birth
Your pelvic floor consists of four key muscles that form a bowl and support the organs within them. During your pregnancy and the birth, they undergo a stretching process that accommodates the baby and their passage through the birth canal. Your physiotherapist can recommend exercises that will support your pelvic floor during this time.
While Kegel exercises are certainly helpful, tackling the adjacent muscle groups is also necessary. When these muscles become lax the pelvic floor begins to compensate, which may make life harder during your pregnancy. With the help of a physiotherapist, you can strengthen the surrounding muscles to protect your pelvic floor and make the post-natal recovery period easier.
Treat symphysis pubis dysfunction
During pregnancy, your body floods with a hormone called relaxin, which allows your muscles to relax as they accommodate your growing bump. Unfortunately, this relaxin allows the ligaments supporting your pelvic girdle to relax also, leading to a condition called symphysis pubis dysfunction. SPD becomes quite painful for some pregnant women, which may result in the use of supportive belts or even walking aids. With a physiotherapy assessment, you can determine which exercises and aids you need to achieve a pregnancy that's as painless as possible.
Tackle lower back pain
Anywhere between 24% to 90% of women experience lower back pain during their pregnancy. As your access to pain relief is restricted during this time, you may find that spine strengthening muscles, tips on how to maintain a good posture throughout the day and carefully chosen aerobic exercises are helpful. In some cases, your physiotherapist may engage in manual therapy, which involves them making the movements for you to reduce the pain you're experiencing. With the right treatments, you reduce the chances of debilitating pain as the pregnancy progresses.
While aches and pains are a part of pregnancy for many women, you don't have to suffer in silence. Using physiotherapy, you can work on key muscle groups to achieve a normal way of life and a good range of movement. In some cases, using the right exercises may also make the birth and the post-natal recovery period smoother.
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