Antenatal And Postnatal Requirement - Know The Role Of Physiotherapy!

Pregnancy comes with its host of hormonal shifts inside a woman's body. With severe hormonal changes, you may complain of a number of bodily pains and aches. This is absolutely normal and can be treated through physiotherapy.

Before you delve deep into the role of physiotherapy, let us see some of the common problems a pregnant woman might complain of:

Prenatal-

1. The most common complaint during pregnancy is of back pain. The growing baby means protruding belly (that disturbs the center of gravity of the expecting woman's body) and additional weight to be carried by the backbone. Physiotherapy can help you resolve this pain safely and early stage before it progresses to acute pain or sciatica.

2. The next thing you complain of is sciatica. Sciatica is basically a nerve which begins at your lower back and ends at the back of your feet. During pregnancy, there is a huge pressure exerted on it and due to continuous pressure, you may experience weakness or numbness.

3. Carpal tunnel syndrome or swelling of the nerves around your wrist is another major problem. Apart from these, you may suffer from weakness in the urinary tract and joint pain.

Postnatal-

You may experience postnatal physical problems, quite similar to the prenatal ones. Apart from that, abdominal separation or diastasis recti or bulging belly might also be a complication wherein you experience an excessive stretch on your abdominal muscles.

Physiotherapy Treatments-

1. For your prenatal symptoms, your physiotherapist will recommend you varied treatments such as soft tissue techniques, mobilization, stretch and strength exercises for your body. It is a good idea to take up a prenatal exercise program with a qualified physiotherapist to prepare your pregnant body for pregnancy and childbirth. This will usually include pelvic floor training, breathing and relaxation practices to keep you calm and strengthening exercises for muscles under strain due to pregnancy.

2. One of the most effective cures for treating your postnatal problems is the core-strengthening exercise program which can increase your physical and mental tenacity. A women's health physiotherapist can guide you with specific strengthening exercises for this.

3. For better functioning of the urinary tract, you may be recommended some pelvic-floor exercises.