Are you hoping to see a physio in Brisbane during your pregnancy? Look no further because the women’s health physiotherapists at Inline Physio are highly knowledgeable and tailor treatments to every individual.
To learn more about seeing a physio during your pregnancy and how it might be of benefit to you, keep reading or call our friendly teams at Moorooka or Samford.
How A Woman’s Body Changes During Pregnancy
Pregnancy is a time in a woman’s life when considerable physical and mental changes are happening in preparation for welcoming their new baby. These changes are often underestimated, and women can be unprepared – especially if it is their first child.
The changes within the body include:
- cardiovascular (blood circulation),
- hormonal,
- metabolic,
- respiratory (breathing),
- emotional, and,
- musculoskeletal (joints, ligaments, muscles etc).
Due to these transformations, more than 60% of pregnant women experience low back and/or pelvic pain.
How Physio Can Help During Pregnancy
A physiotherapist can help to treat any pain that may arise due to the natural changes that take place.
Also, they can provide important information and individual guidance to help pregnant women stay active during their pregnancy and prepare their bodies for post-natal recovery. (We talk more about the importance of staying physically active while pregnant below.)
What Conditions Can Physiotherapy Help With?
- Pelvic floor dysfunction/training
- Stress urinary incontinence
- Back and pelvic pain, including sacroiliac joint pain and symphysis pubis dysfunction
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Exercise guidance and advice to stay physically active
When Should I Start Seeing The Physio?
To be active from the start of your pregnancy, it is beneficial to seek guidance as early as possible. This will help to prevent any avoidable issues and keep you as healthy as possible throughout your journey.
Should any pain arise, do not put it off! The quicker we can improve your symptoms, the more active you can be, which overall is the best thing we can do for you and your baby. It also allows us to help you plan for after your baby arrives and prepare for the healing that your body will need to go through.
The Importance of Exercise During Pregnancy
A significant percentage of women don’t get the recommended amount of exercise at this transformative time.
In saying that, it is extremely important to consult with a health professional before engaging in physical activities during pregnancy.
The benefits of physical activity during and after pregnancy are high and far outweigh the risks in most uncomplicated pregnancies.
There is no association with adverse events like low birth weight or miscarriage; it can reduce the risk of complications, improve post-natal recovery and have positive long-term health impacts on mum and baby.
Even when there are medical complications like gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia, high blood pressure, large diastase rectus and pelvic floor issues, physical activity can be helpful.
Will I Need To Continue Physio After Giving Birth?
The changes to the female body during and after giving birth are significant. As physiotherapists, we often think of those changes as an injury, or injuries, as the tissues heal in the same way. This is often forgotten in the newborn bubble and women are expected to return to normal function almost immediately. As with any injury, depending on the severity of the damage, it can take up to 6 months or even longer to fully heal.
To ensure efficient healing of those tissues and prevent future issues, like pelvic floor dysfunction or ongoing diabetic rectus; it is a good idea to be reviewed by a woman’s health physio, especially if you are keen to get back to an active lifestyle or exercise.
Gentle rehab can begin straight away after giving birth, which can be planned for if you see the physio beforehand. Your physio will then help you progress through a gradual approach to return to full function.
Pregnancy Physio Brisbane
If you have any questions, concerns, or pain during or after your pregnancy, please consult a women’s health physio or medical professional.
Are you ready to make an appointment with a pregnancy physio at Inline Physio in Brisbane?
We are ready to assist, so click here to make a booking!