Pregnancy

How does pregnancy affect my musculoskeletal system?

Your body goes through many physical and hormonal changes throughout your nine months of pregnancy. These changes affect your muscles, bones, ligaments, and tendons, which in turn affects your strength, balance, mobility, and posture. All of these rapid changes to your body can also lead to pain, especially back pain.

Dr. Ross can develop a therapy program that helps restore balance, health, and strength and reduce your pain naturally during your pregnancy.

What can I expect during pregnancy therapy?

Dr. Ross develops a personalized therapy program for you based on how far along you are, your health concerns and symptoms, and your fitness level. Dr. Ross is an experienced physical therapist who offers a number of therapeutic modalities to help you feel more comfortable throughout your pregnancy.

Your pregnancy therapy plan may include:

• Certified manual therapy
• Therapeutic exercises
• Home exercise program

Engaging in physical therapy during your pregnancy not only helps ease your discomfort but may also improve your delivery and prevent common postpartum musculoskeletal issues that often affect women.

What postpartum conditions benefit from therapy?

After pregnancy, your body may not bounce back like you were expecting. Like pregnancy, physical and hormonal changes continue to occur after you have the baby and affect your musculoskeletal system and may lead to health issues.

Common postpartum health conditions that benefit from physical therapy include:

• Pelvic floor weakness
• Diastasis rectus abdominus
• Recovery from cesarean section or episiotomy
• Urinary incontinence

Dr. Ross can provide treatment to help alleviate these conditions and get you back to your pre-pregnancy body.

What can I expect during postpartum therapy?

Your postpartum therapy is designed just for you by Dr. Ross, taking into consideration your primary health issue or concern, as well as your overall health. Your physical therapy treatment plan may include:

• Certified manual therapy
• Therapeutic exercises
• Electrical stimulation
• Biomechanics

Dr. Ross also provides a home exercise program to help you reach your functional goals faster.

How long will I need pregnancy or postpartum therapy?

Dr. Ross determines how long you need pregnancy or postpartum therapy based on your health needs and how your body responds to therapy. Pregnancy and postpartum therapy isn’t meant to serve as a quick fix, but as a tool to help improve how you feel during and after pregnancy.

Your body undergoes many physical changes during your pregnancy. Physical therapy can help you maintain health, function, and mobility, and alleviate your aches and pains during and after pregnancy. To schedule your pregnancy or postpartum therapy, call Ross Medical Group today or book online.