We help women recover during and after pregnancy through physical therapy that strengthens, energizes, and heals .
Pregnancy and childbirth are challenging feats that women experience and bring extraordinary changes to the body .
In fact, 40% of women complain of aches and pains during pregnancy. After delivery, women often experience post -pregnancy belly, back pain, painful and tight scars (C section or episiotomy), or weakness/pain in the pelvic floor . Left unattended, these may lead to problems with organ prolapse, urinary or fecal leakage or sexual pain; if not soon after delivery, then several months later.
Some women also find that they are having difficulty doing daily activities comfortably, including walking, driving, sitting, housework, standing, child care, and comfortable sexual activity.
While you may not have obvious symptoms now, core muscles are weakened with pregnancy and delivery. Regaining your muscle tone postpartum is important not only for your confidence but to minimize problems in later life.
Our Prenatal and Postpartum Therapy Services
We are Houston’s first full service therapy center specializing in women’s health, prenatal/postpartum, and gynecological concerns.
Our goal is to improve your ability to do your everyday activities with less discomfort and greater energy. We offer ideas on how you can manage your condition for the long term so you are actively participating in your well -being: how to manage pain, tailored exercise, modifying your body movements so have more energy and less pain.
Prenatal Physical Therapy
Pregnancy related aches and pains are common and often persist postpartum and beyond. Our therapists can help determine what is causing your pain and help you manage it.
Before your baby’s arrival, pregnancy physical therapy can help with:
- Back or sciatica pain
- Groin pain
- Tailbone pain
- Neck pain
- Hip pain
- Varicose vein discomfort
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
Treatment may include: myofascial release and massage to relieve muscle tension, gentle movements to correct misaligned pelvis and stretch tight muscles, individualized exercises, and brace fittings.
Pregnant patients with back pain come once a week for 3-to-4 weeks and then as needed for the duration of the pregnancy.
Postpartum Physical Therapy
We can help you recover from pregnancy by focusing on what is most weakened during the childbearing year. Postpartum muscle weakness, if not addressed, may become symptomatic later in life as incontinence, prolapse, pelvic pain, and back pain.
After your baby arrives, with the help of our physical therapists, new mothers are encouraged to focus on backs, bellies, bottoms, and breasts.
- Backs: Sacroiliac joint, tail bone, coccyx, or pubic pain may persist after delivery; and mid -back or neck pain may begin because new mothers are lifting, feeding, bathing, and carrying their baby.
- Bellies: The belly muscles consist of three layers. During pregnancy and delivery, these muscles may separate, leading to weakness, lack of core support, and lack of pelvic organ support.
- Bottoms: Tension in these muscles from delivery may cause “tension myalgias,” including pain in the pelvic floor, incomplete voiding, or constipation. Episiotomy or fascial tearing during delivery may lead to painful scars, resulting in sexual pain.
- Breasts: Clogged milk ducts can be relieved with ultrasound and/or massage therapy.
Physical therapy may include modifications of childcare activities, massage, biofeedback, electrical stimulation, and proper exercise techniques. Ultrasound or manual therapy may be prescribed to soften or gently stretch scars. Physical therapy can also help with interstitial cystitis, painful periods, endometriosis, vaginal spasms, and vulvar pain.
Physical Therapy Appointments During Pregnancy and after Childbirth
Take care of yourself and make a commitment to see our specially trained physical therapists. You will experience treatment that is personalized, gentle, respectful and with great care to ensure your privacy.
You will need to discuss your need for physical therapy with your physician and provide a prescription before you begin therapy. This script must include your name, diagnosis, and the physician’s signature.
For more information about our services or to make an appointment, please call (713 ) 799-6193.