Pregnancy and childbirth can bring a lot of joy and happiness to your life, but it can also cause some unpleasant side effects. One of these side effects is pelvic floor dysfunction, which can lead to a variety of problems such as urinary incontinence, pain during sex, and even pelvic organ prolapse. Pelvic health physiotherapy is a great way to address these issues, particularly if you are in the postpartum period.
Pelvic health physiotherapy is a specialized form of physiotherapy that focuses on the muscles, joints, and ligaments in the pelvic region. It aims to improve the function of these muscles, especially the pelvic floor muscles, which play a vital role in bladder and bowel control, sexual function, and support of the pelvic organs.
During pregnancy and childbirth, the pelvic floor muscles can become weakened or damaged due to the weight of the baby, hormonal changes, and the physical strain of labor. This can lead to a variety of symptoms such as urinary or fecal incontinence, pelvic pain, and discomfort during sex. These symptoms can persist long after delivery if left untreated, which is why it's important to seek treatment from a pelvic health physiotherapist.
Pelvic health physiotherapy is a non-invasive and effective way to address pelvic floor dysfunction. The physiotherapist will perform a thorough assessment to determine the extent of the problem and develop a personalized treatment plan that may include pelvic floor exercises, manual therapy, and education on posture and lifestyle modifications. The goal of treatment is to improve muscle function, reduce pain, and increase overall quality of life.
In the postpartum period your therapist will work with you to build a program that may include pelvic floor strengthening and / or lengthening exercises (two great exercises are child's pose and cat/cow, as shown below). Studies have shown that these exercises can be effective in treating urinary incontinence and improving sexual function in women with pelvic floor dysfunction.
In addition to home exercises, other techniques such as biofeedback and electrical stimulation may be used to help improve muscle function. Biofeedback involves using sensors to monitor muscle activity and providing feedback to the patient, while electrical stimulation involves using a small device to stimulate the muscles with a mild electrical current.
Pelvic health physiotherapy has been shown to have positive effects on the pelvic floor
muscles and overall pelvic health. A systematic review of randomized controlled trials found that pelvic floor muscle training was effective in reducing urinary incontinence in women, especially in the postpartum period. Another study found that pelvic health physiotherapy was effective in reducing pelvic pain and improving sexual function in women with pelvic floor dysfunction. By improving muscle function, reducing pain, and increasing overall quality of life, pelvic health physiotherapy can help women to enjoy motherhood and all of life's activities without the worry of pelvic floor dysfunction.
To find out more about how your Pelvic Floor Muscle changes in the postpartum period Sign up for our Virtual 3 Part Series, Postpartum: Now the FUN Begins!!
Thurs May 25th 8-9 pm Kristen Parise (Physiotherapist) Postpartum Pelvic Floor Changes
Thurs Jun 1st 8-9 pm Alexandra Evans (Osteopath / Breastfeeding Consultant) How to feed your baby.
Thurs Jun 8th 8-9 pm Andrew Gumbinger (Psychotherapist Qualifying) Postpartum Mental Health
The series is $90 and we will send you the recordings if you are unable to attend the live presentations. All participants will have a chance to win an amazing SRC Health garment (worth over $200)
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