Returning to Exercise Postpartum
After giving birth, a lot of questions arise on how to return to a workout program safely once cleared by your doctor. Every birth is different (vaginal delivery vs caesarian section), so it’s important to discuss with your doctor before returning to exercise. Typically, walking and gentle exercises are permitted immediately after birth, but most doctors do not clear women for impact activities until at least 6 weeks postpartum. Certain women’s recoveries will be longer, and it is important to ease into abdominal strengthening. Starting a vigorous workout too early can cause problems such as incontinence or prolapse of the pelvic floor (when organs in the pelvis slip down from their normal position).
Answers to Embarrassing Pelvic Health Questions
Dysfunction in the muscles of the pelvic floor cause a variety of problems and are actually quite common. Certain physical therapists are trained in treating pelvic health and are ready to help! Here is a list of some of the questions that may seem embarrassing to talk about if you think you’re experiencing pelvic-related problems.
Exercises to Strengthen Your Pelvic Floor
The pelvic floor, also known as the “hammock” of your core, is very important to keep strong and mobile. It provides support for the pelvic organs, including the bladder, uterus and rectum in the female pelvis. In the male pelvis, the pelvic floor supports the bladder and rectum.
9 Reasons to See a Physical Therapist for Your Pelvic Health
The pelvic floor is made up of a series of muscles at the base of the pelvis. These muscles contract to help support your organs during daily activities, as well as relax to allow you to go to the bathroom. When these muscles aren’t functioning properly, you may start experiencing symptoms such as pain or incontinence. This is where physical therapy can help.
The Fourth Trimester: The Birth of a Mother
In the weeks following the birth of a baby, a new mother emerges. The fourth trimester used to be defined as the first six weeks postpartum. This period was also known as a singular event, only being addressed at the six-week checkup. The visit would consist of a depression screening, evaluation of the cervix, uterus, cesarean birth scar/episiotomy scar, family planning/birth control and discussion of breast/bottle feeding. In recent years this has changed – and for good reason.
My Physical Therapist Helped Me Break Up With John
“Gotta go, gotta go, gotta go right now?” Frequent urination is a real problem for millions of Americans. It can interfere with so many aspects of life, like school, travel, shopping, work and sleep! Urinary frequency can have many causes, and the good news is that it is typically easy to remedy. Oftentimes the culprit is something as easy as looking at what is in your glass or on your plate!
How Physical Therapy Can Treat Bladder Pain Syndrome
Jennifer sits in class, not being able to concentrate on anything except the constant burning she feels in her bladder. Susan has to miss out on family outings, because she is embarrassed that she has to go to the bathroom every fifteen minutes. Tom has severe urinary urgency and lower abdominal pain that has taken all the joy out of his everyday life. Sara’s marriage is on the rocks because the excruciating pain she feels with intercourse is destroying her intimacy with her husband, who feels rejected.
Why Did My Doctor Send Me To Physical Therapy for a Bladder Problem?
“Every time I cough, I leak. I can’t jump on a trampoline without getting my pants all wet. When I hear running water, my own water works start. Here I am in my doctor’s office, waiting for her to prescribe that medication I see on TV, the one that will make all my troubles go away. Instead, she gave me an order to go to physical therapy. Wait, did she hear me correctly? Surely she meant a urologist? Can’t she just give me that magic pill instead?” – These are all common questions for patients who are prescribed physical therapy for urinary incontinence.
