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Physiotherapy During Pregnancy

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Both during pregnancy and after birth, a woman’s body goes through numerous physical and hormonal changes. Thankfully, physiotherapy can be used to significantly improve overall daily functioning.

Why choose physiotherapy?

Everyday tasks such as standing and walking become increasingly difficult during pregnancy. This is where the introduction of physiotherapy can be beneficial to an expecting mother. Almost all women express discomfort during pregnancy and nearly a quarter of these women experience temporary disability as a result of the pain.

It has come to be accepted that discomfort during pregnancy is simply part of the course. However, with the help of a specially tailored physical therapy program, this discomfort can be significantly minimized. Furthermore, physiotherapy during pregnancy can help to prepare the woman’s body and promote an easier delivery and faster recovery.

With physiotherapy commonly treating problems associated with muscles, joints, bones, and circulation, treatment methods can be applied during pregnancy to help promote stronger muscles and prepare the body for the later stages of pregnancy.

How will physiotherapy help?

Lower back pain

– As a child grows, an expecting mother can often experience pain in her lower back. This is caused by a change in posture to support the additional weight and consequently, a shift in the woman’s center of gravity. Physiotherapy can help to correct posture and weight distribution, easing the pain in their lower back.

Neck pain and headaches

– Another consequence of a change in posture is increased headaches and neck pain. Physiotherapy can be applied in this instance to reduce these effects.

Pain in the hamstrings

– As the feet flatten during pregnancy, muscle use in the hamstrings is altered. This can lead to tightness or pain in the lower legs and heel chords. With the use of tailored physiotherapy exercises and muscle massages, this pain and tightness can be relieved.

Arm pain

– As the diameter of the chest increases during the course of pregnancy, nerves are compressed often causing pain or tingling in the arms. Physiotherapy exercises can be introduced in this instance in order to reduce pain.

Bladder weakness

– After giving birth, mothers may experience bladder weakness caused by the strain of their pelvic muscles. With the use of physiotherapy, these muscles can be strengthened and bladder control can be restored.

Stretched abdominal walls

– Stretched abdominal pains can lead to back pain in addition to a difficult delivery. The use of physiotherapy can be introduced to strengthen the abdominal walls and make contractions more effective.