Pregnancy physiotherapy
How Pregnancy Physiotherapy can help during and after pregnancy
With pregnancy comes great joy but it also brings pelvic griddle pain and urinary stress incontinence. You don’t have to suffer through the pain. As your baby and uterus grow, it’s quite common to experience some pain and discomfort as well as changes in your hormonal profile. Treatment with a specialist pregnancy physiotherapist can help significantly improve pain during pregnancy.
Whether you are experiencing sciatica or Carpal tunnel syndrome or simply want to move more easily during your pregnancy, New Age Physio can put you on the path to a comfortable and enjoyable pregnancy.
Get in touch to find out how physiotherapy can help your pregnancy related pain
Pregnancy and incontinence
Do you find yourself rushing to the toilet or leaking urine when you sneeze or cough? Urinary incontinence during pregnancy is common but it shouldn’t be ignored. The increasing pressure of the uterus on your bladder means there is less room for urine storage and causes you to feel the need to go. Research suggests women who experience urinary stress incontinence during pregnancy or within six weeks after having their baby can continue to experience symptoms up to five years later.
Pregnancy physiotherapy can play a pivotal role in managing and alleviating these symptoms. Our New Age physiotherapists can help you strengthen your pelvic floor muscles through targeted exercises, which can significantly improve bladder control. We can also teach you techniques to reduce bladder pressure and provide guidance on lifestyle modifications that can help manage incontinence.
Abdominal separation
Abdominal separation, or diastasis recti, can cause significant discomfort during pregnancy as the growing uterus puts pressure on the abdominal muscles, causing them to stretch and separate. This condition occurs when the right and left halves of the rectus abdominis muscle spread apart, creating a gap. As a result, women may experience lower back pain, pelvic instability and a weakened core, making it difficult to perform daily activities and maintain proper posture.
Pregnancy physiotherapy can help manage abdominal separation by providing targeted exercises that strengthen the core muscles and improve stability. Our physiotherapists can also offer guidance on proper posture and body mechanics to reduce strain on the abdomen. They can recommend supportive devices to aid in the healing process and prevent further separation.
Physiotherapy treatment offers an effective way to prevent urinary incontinence through exercise.
The benefits of physiotherapy during pregnancy
Our New Age physiotherapists can design an exercise treatment program to strengthen your muscles and prevent the occurrence of urinary incontinence. And we work with you to ensure the exercises are being conducted correctly.
With New Age Physio, you and your baby are always in safe hands. Our physiotherapists are experienced professionals who continuously learn and develop their skills to provide clients with the highest level of care and the latest treatments.
Our pregnancy physio exercise program can include:
- Activating the correct muscles for a suitable length of time to maintain a strong pelvic floor through your pregnancy and beyond
- Pilates based pelvic stability exercises to strengthen the support muscles of the pelvis and ease the pressure on the pelvic floor
- As pregnancy progresses, physical changes such as weight gain and shifting centre of gravity can lead to stiffness and restricted movement. We can recommend stretches designed to improve flexibility, strength and balance, making it easier for pregnant women to move comfortably.
Sometimes an internal assessment may not be appropriate whilst you are pregnant so our team instead assess the muscles of your abdomen and pelvis to effectively highlight any issues and treat the pelvic floor.
Experiencing back pain during pregnancy? You’re not alone
One in three women experience lower back pain during pregnancy and one in five experience pelvic griddle pain. This is often a result of the hormones such as Relaxin and Oestrogen loosening the ligaments that support your pelvis. Your pelvis bones and sacrum slot together like a loose puzzle or a ‘door frame’ and it relies on the ligaments and muscles to provide joint stability. While this is a natural occurrence during pregnancy, it can cause a high level of discomfort and pain for women.
In pregnancy, the extra strain on these ligaments can cause pain and movement dysfunction. In such conditions, the muscles supporting these ligaments become extra important in providing stability and control.
Occasionally problems arise with the ‘door frame’ and other times with the muscles or soft tissue.
- Don’t let sciatica hold you back
Aside from lower back pain, some women may also experience sciatica during pregnancy, which can cause discomfort during pregnancy. Sciatica appears when pressure is placed on the sciatic nerve by the growing uterus. As the baby develops, the expanding uterus and shifting centre of gravity can lead to compression of the sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower back down through the legs.
These symptoms can make everyday activities challenging, affecting a pregnant woman’s overall comfort and mobility.
Find out how pregnancy physiotherapy can help ease your back pain and sciatica and help you move more comfortably during your pregnancy.
Treat your pelvic pain and back pain with pregnancy physiotherapy
There is increasing evidence that supports physiotherapy to resolve and manage pregnancy related problems including pelvic pain and back pain.
Treatments you may be offered at New Age Physiotherapy include:
- Manual therapy techniques
- Connective tissue release of the abdomen, back, hips and pelvis
- Tuition of Pilates based pelvic stability exercises
- Advice on sleeping positions, exercise and movement
Embrace a smoother and more comfortable pregnancy with New Age Physio
At New Age Physio, we are dedicated to supporting you throughout your pregnancy journey with expert pregnancy physiotherapy services tailored to your unique needs. Our experienced physiotherapists specialise in managing pregnancy-related issues, from back pain to urinary incontinence, ensuring you stay comfortable and healthy as your baby grows.
We provide personalised care plans that include targeted exercises, techniques and lifestyle advice to enhance your well-being. Don’t let pregnancy discomforts get in the way of enjoying your new life chapter — reach out to us today to learn how we can help you achieve a smoother, more enjoyable pregnancy. Contact us now to book an appointment and take the first step towards better prenatal health.