Prenatal & Postpartum
Pregnancy changes your back, hips and pelvis, and childbirth changes them again. Physical therapy during pregnancy treats back, pelvic and hip pain, and after birth it helps with ab separation, leaking and a safe return to exercise. East Mountain Physical Therapy treats women's health concerns for patients in Cedar Crest, Edgewood, Tijeras and Moriarty.
I am pregnant and my back hurts: is there anything I can do?
Low back pain is a common side effect of pregnancy. Added load on the spine from carrying weight in the belly, plus hormonal changes that loosen the joints and ligaments, are the usual reasons. Back muscles get sore from compensating, and pain can spread into the buttocks, hip, groin or legs. A physical therapist can evaluate your needs and provide treatment and advice to relieve it while you stay active.
During pregnancy we treat
- Back pain and sciatic-type leg pain: back pain
- Pelvic girdle pain, SI joint pain and pubic bone pain
- Hip pain that wakes you at night
- Tingling in the hands: carpal tunnel
- Getting ready for labor and recovery
After the baby arrives
Core and pelvic floor
- Abdominal separation (diastasis recti)
- Leaking: incontinence
- Heaviness or a bulge: tell your therapist
- Painful sex and tailbone pain
Recovery and exercise
- C-section scar and core recovery
- Wrist and back strain from carrying a newborn
- A step-by-step return to running and exercise
- Postpartum care usually starts after your six-week checkup, with your OB's OK
Related care
Prenatal & Postpartum care in the East Mountains
We see patients from Cedar Crest, Edgewood, Tijeras, Moriarty and the East Mountains.