I have had a wonderful experience and improvement in my quality of life after visiting PhysioPlus Health Group for pelvic floor physiotherapy. The PT made me feel comfortable and answered all my questions.
- Emma C.
"My experience at PhysioPlus has been life changing! "
My experience at PhysioPlus has been life changing! Yvonne has treated me for the last few months through pelvic floor physio for Endo, which has significantly reduced my pain plus so much more. Everyone at PhysioPlus is super helpful and kind and I would 100% recommend them to anyone!
- Jessica W.
Finding Relief Before and After Delivery
Prepare for the Arrival of Your Little One with Pre- and Post-natal Rehab!
Are you expecting a baby right now? Pregnancy is a very exciting time for many women. The body is undergoing so many changes because a new little person is developing! These changes often involve posture adjustments, increased pelvic floor loads, and stretching and thickening of the ligaments..
These changes that the body goes through may also cause back pain, sciatica, and problems with the pelvic floor, as well as muscle fatigue that can contribute to urinary incontinence and difficulty with activating your core muscles.
Pregnancy is a normal part of life that can be much more comfortable with prenatal and postnatal therapy. At PhysioPlus Health Group, we combine therapies such as osteopathy, massage therapy and pelvic floor physiotherapy to help make pregnancy and childbirth as smooth as possible and reduce prenatal/postnatal pain.
At our Bloor West Village and The Kingsway physiotherapy clinic, our goal is to prepare your body for the journey ahead, so that you can concentrate on getting ready to welcome your new baby into this world.
Should I See a Pelvic Floor Physiotherapist While I’m Pregnant or After I Have My Baby?
It can be very helpful to see a pelvic floor physiotherapist both during your pregnancy and after your delivery.
It is recommended to see a pelvic floor physiotherapist early on during your pregnancy in order to reduce your likelihood of pain, incontinence, abdominal separation, and tearing as well as to improve your birthing process and postpartum recovery.
Our pelvic floor physiotherapists will provide you with education and at home tips and tricks in order to help you feel more comfortable throughout your pregnancy and more prepared for your labour and delivery.
After your baby is born, our pelvic floor physiotherapists can help with symptoms of pain, incontinence, and prolapse. We offer C-section scar massage, treatment to help with diastasis recti, education and safe exercises to do at home.
There’s many other topics that pelvic floor physiotherapists can address prenatally or postpartum, so if you have any questions, please book a complimentary consultation, and we’d be happy to try and help.
HOW CAN PELVIC FLOOR PHYSIOTHERAPY HELP ME BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER PREGNANCY
Pregnancy is a life changing experience that undoubtedly alters your body in different ways.
Although there are countless positive experiences that may come with pregnancy, there can be negative impacts as well that can be reduced with the right treatment.
During pregnancy, your pelvic floor is vulnerable to getting weak or damaged due to strain that’s caused by growing a baby.
Pelvic floor physiotherapy can help you at every stage of your pregnancy journey to keep your pelvic floor healthy, decrease the risk of pregnancy-related injury and pain, and speed up your postpartum recovery.
It’s important to note that pelvic floor physiotherapy helps to improve, and even cure, common uncomfortable symptoms that are linked to pregnancy such as:
Bladder leakage
Overactive bladder
Pain with intercourse
Chronic constipation
Bowel incontinence
Diastasis recti
Endometriosis
Irritable bowel syndrome
Pelvic organ prolapse
Persistent pelvic pain
Low back, hip, and tailbone pain
Heaviness or discomfort around your pelvic region
All in all, working with our Pelvic Floor Physiotherapists at PhysioPlus can be the key you’re looking for to set yourself up for a successful pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum experience.
Simply put, a pelvic floor physiotherapist is a healthcare professional who provides care for any pelvic health issue.
These specialized physiotherapists are experts in assessing and treating various pelvic conditions such as urinary incontinence, pelvic and back pain, sexual dysfunction, pelvic organ prolapse, and much more.
In fact, pelvic floor physiotherapists can even CURE your pelvic floor problems altogether.
They’re able to help you using a combination of effective treatments, which may include:
Hands-on manual therapy which are hands-on techniques to release trigger points, muscle tightness and joint stiffness in your low back, hips, and pelvis that may be contributing to your problem.
Exercise programs that are individualized for you to help retrain and restore your pelvic floor, core, low back, and hips.
Pelvic floor muscle retraining using biofeedback and breathing techniques to help correct weak, dysfunctional or tight pelvic floor muscles to directly improve incontinence and pain.
Education about your pelvic floor problem to fully understand and take control of your problem.
Pain relieving treatments such as the use of heat, cold, trans-electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), guided imagery, breathing, and relaxation techniques.
You can be certain that at PhysioPlus your pelvic floor physiotherapist will be committed to finding you an effective and long-lasting solution for your pelvic floor issue.
Most people have heard the term “pelvic floor” before.
But what exactly is the pelvic floor, and why is it relevant to you?
The pelvic floor is a collection of muscles that span from your tailbone to your pubic bone.
You can consider the pelvic floor to be a hammock of muscles that supports some of your most important internal organs, such as your bladder, uterus or prostate, and rectum.
This vital group of muscles works closely together with the muscles in your stomach, back, and breathing system to do tasks such as controlling your bladder and bowels, managing your breathing, regulating your back pain, stabilizing your trunk and hips, and supporting sexual function and pregnancy
COMMON CONDITIONS A PELVIC FLOOR PHYSIOTHERAPIST CAN HELP WITH BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER PREGNANCY
The pelvic health physiotherapists at PhysioPlus Health Group can help you deal with pre and postnatal pain, as well as help prepare your body for delivery.
Our Pelvic floor physiotherapists can help with just about any pelvic floor issue or condition that you can think of.
Some of the most common symptoms that expecting or new mothers experience are:
Overactive bladder, bladder leakage
Inability to fully empty the bladder
Constipation
Pain during sex
Diastasis recti (abdominal separation)
Fecal Incontinence
Tailbone pain
Preparation for birth
Pregnancy-related body pain
Prolapse or the sensation that the organs are “dropping”
Endometriosis
Postnatal symptoms and conditions
Scarring related to C-sections or episiotomies
If you have any of the above symptoms or conditions, try a complimentary consultation to discuss your pelvic floor issue and go over your treatment options.
Pregnancy may result in scarring due to C-sections or episiotomies. This may trigger restrictions in the myofascial system of the body. When you try to move, this may result in a reduced range of motion or unpleasant sensations and pain.
Our Bloor West Village and Kingsway pelvic health physiotherapists use unique myofascial and scar-release strategies to remove these limitations and avoid further compromising of the myofascial system.
Some women may also be affected by diastasis recti, also referred to as abdominal separation. Diastasis recti may interfere with the strengthening of the muscles of the abdomen and cause what some people refer to as a post-pregnancy “pooch.”
Our pelvic floor physiotherapists therapists will use the best evidence-based clinical expertise possible to diagnose and treat your prenatal and postnatal pain!
We carry out our treatment plans with compassion, concern, and understanding, so you can be assured that no matter what part of your pregnancy you are recovering from, we will take care of you and do our best to ensure the best possible outcome!
WHY ARE PELVIC FLOOR EXERCISES IMPORTANT DURING AND AFTER PREGNANCY?
During and after pregnancy, doing specific exercises for your pelvic floor can make a big difference in how you feel. These exercises work the muscles that help support your bladder, uterus, and rectum. They also help to support and protect your back and hips to help reduce or prevent back pain, hip pain and sciatica.
Let’s explore why these exercises are so important during and after pregnancy for your well-being as a new mom.
Helping During Pregnancy: These exercises give your body extra support as your belly grows, making you more comfortable and reducing back pain, hip pain, pelvic pain and sciatica.
Preventing Leaks: Pregnancy and giving birth can make it harder to control your bladder. Doing these exercises can help you avoid leakage and uncomfortable accidents.
Faster Recovery: After giving birth, these exercises can help your body bounce back faster and make you feel more like yourself.
Keeping Things in Place: These exercises can also help prevent your pelvic organs from shifting out of place or dropping after giving birth.
Better Intimacy: They’re good for your sex life too, which is important for feeling close and happy after having a baby.
Making pelvic floor exercises a part of your routine during and after pregnancy can have a positive impact on how you feel, both physically and emotionally.
WHEN IS THE RIGHT TIME TO START PELVIC FLOOR EXERCISES DURING AND AFTER PREGNANCY?
Knowing when to start pelvic floor exercises during and after pregnancy is an important consideration for every expecting and new mom. These exercises can be incredibly beneficial, but the timing is crucial.
Here are some guidelines on the right times to start these exercises and how they can help you feel better during and after pregnancy.
During Pregnancy:
Early Pregnancy: You can start pelvic floor exercises early in pregnancy, as soon as you’re comfortable. It’s a good idea to begin strengthening these muscles early to help support the growing baby.
After Pregnancy (Postpartum):
Postpartum Recovery: You can start gentle pelvic floor exercises soon after giving birth, often within the first few days or weeks. However, it’s essential to listen to your body and consult with your healthcare provider because every person and every delivery is different. Your healthcare provider can provide guidance on when it’s safe to start, considering factors like the type of delivery and any specific medical conditions.
Pelvic Floor Assessment: Some healthcare providers recommend waiting for a pelvic floor assessment or examination before starting exercises to ensure that your pelvic floor is ready. This assessment can help determine the right time to begin.
Slow Progression: If you’re unsure when to start, it’s generally safe to begin with gentle, low-impact exercises and gradually increase intensity as you feel comfortable. Remember that your body needs time to recover after childbirth, so be patient with the process.
Always consult with your healthcare provider or a pelvic health physiotherapist for personalized guidance, especially if you have specific medical conditions or concerns. They can provide you with the best advice on when and how to start pelvic floor exercises during and after pregnancy.
CAN PELVIC FLOOR EXERCISES RELIEVE BACK PAIN DURING AND AFTER PREGNANCY?
Yes, pelvic floor exercises can help with back pain during and after pregnancy. When you’re pregnant, the weight of your growing baby can strain your lower back, causing discomfort.
Pelvic floor exercises can be like a supportive friend for your back. They help stabilize your pelvis and take some of the pressure off your spine, making you feel more comfortable. These exercises also encourage good posture, which can further ease back pain.
After giving birth, they can continue to strengthen your core and keep your back feeling good. For the best results, it’s a good idea to chat with a healthcare provider or a pelvic health physiotherapist to make sure you’re doing the right exercises and doing them correctly. This way, you can enjoy the benefits of these exercises without feeling overwhelmed by any technical details.
CAN PELVIC FLOOR PHYSIOTHERAPY HELP ME WITH BLADDER LEAKAGE?
Yes, pelvic floor physiotherapy can help with bladder leakage. It’s all about working on those muscles that support your bladder.
A pelvic floor physiotherapist can give you exercises and tips to get better control and reduce those unexpected leaks. It’s a great way to feel more confident and in charge of your bladder.
So, if you’re dealing with bladder leakage, consider trying pelvic floor physiotherapy to improve your bladder health and overall well-being.
Having an internal exam during pregnancy is safe. An internal exam during your pelvic floor physiotherapy visit is usually recommended because it allows the physiotherapist to properly assess and treat the structures of the pelvic floor that cannot be palpated externally.
If for any reason you’re not comfortable with an internal exam let your therapist know and they can assess/treat your pelvic floor externally. If you have any concerns, just talk to your therapist, and they’ll make sure you’re comfortable and safe during the process.
MAKE YOUR DELIVERY & POST-NATAL RECOVERY EASIER WITH PHYSIOTHERAPY!
Bringing a new life into the world is supposed to be an exciting and happy time for you and your family. If you have pre-or postnatal pain, look no further for a solution.
Call us or schedule an appointment, and we’ll create a plan to help you with a smooth pregnancy, delivery, and recovery!
Choosing the right physiotherapist can be a big decision. We’re dedicated to answering any questions you have to help you make the best choice. Contact us today and ask us anything!
Pelvic floor exercises are usually safe during pregnancy. They can help you strengthen those muscles that support your bladder and other important areas. Just make sure you're doing them right and talk to your pelvic floor physiotherapist if you have any worries or specific health issues. They'll give you the best tips to do these exercises safely.
Is an internal exam needed for pelvic floor physiotherapy?
An internal exam during your pelvic floor physiotherapy visit is usually recommended because it allows the physiotherapist to properly assess and treat the structures of the pelvic floor that cannot be palpated externally. If for any reason you're not comfortable with an internal exam just let your therapist know and they can use external methods and exercises to help you.
How soon after birth should I see a pelvic floor physiotherapist?
It's a good plan to see a pelvic floor physiotherapist in the first six weeks after having your baby. They'll check your pelvic floor muscles and make sure everything's going well. But the exact timing can depend on your situation, so it's best to talk to your healthcare provider about when it's right for you. And if you have any concerns or issues after giving birth, don't hesitate to reach out to a pelvic floor physiotherapist to get the help you need.
