Have any pelvic health issues? Whether you are a female recently post partum or many years post partum, the following information may help you overcome some ‘annoying’ and/or painful symptoms.
As child bearing females, we all know how pregnancy and labor strains our muscles and skeletal structure:
- abdominal muscles lengthen and sometimes separate (called diastasis recti)
- the spine develops an exaggerated s-curve as baby grows
- the pelvic floor definitely gets stretched and is commonly torn (or cut) during labor
If we’ve had a c-section (30% of American laboring women), then we also know about complications from scar tissue (or maybe we aren’t aware of the complications going on from year(s) old scar tissue). All of this can add up to pelvic and low back pain with resulting continence issues down the road.
Kegel
A lot of women have heard the term ‘kegel.’ It’s an important exercise to help prevent the complications listed above. However, many of us are not aware of how to do this correctly. The key: the muscle must contract ‘up and in.’ If had a diastasis recti (separation of your abdominal muscles), avoid sit ups. Learn how to log roll to help it heal post partum.
PT for Pelvic Health
Finally, we’ve all heard that surgery should be used as a last resort. The same holds true for pelvic floor surgery. Physical therapy has made some amazing gains in pelvic floor health and pregnancy related treatment.
At Great Moves Physical Therapy, we can help you meet your pelvic health needs: 719-477-6870.
Recently edited. Originally published: Nov 25, 2013.