Physical therapy isn’t just for recovering from injuries and rehabilitation. If you’re currently pregnant, physical therapy services for women in Augusta can help make your pregnancy easier in different ways.
Find out the benefits of pregnancy physical therapy with our comprehensive guide:
Physical Therapy and Childbirth
Pregnancy and childbirth are among the most physically demanding experiences a person can go through. They exert a lot of stress on the body, and being adequately prepared is key.
You should consult with your OB-GYN before starting physical therapy, especially if you have any complications or a high-risk pregnancy.
It’s best to start physical therapy early, preferably in your first trimester. This gives you plenty of time to get used to physical therapy exercises and treatment without the additional challenges that come with pregnancy.
An Augusta physical therapist can focus on improving your condition and fitness. Specific exercises and treatments will help strengthen your abdominal, pelvic, and leg muscles, ensuring that you’re better prepared for the later months of your pregnancy.
Physical Therapy and Pregnancy-Related Back Pain
Many women struggle with back pain as their pregnancy progresses. This is due to weight gain, hormonal activity, joint stress, posture imbalances, and the body’s center of gravity shifting forward with the growth of the baby.
You should also take lifestyle factors into account. For example, if you have a desk job, you may be more likely to have a relatively inactive lifestyle and improper posture.
Physical therapy for women who’re experiencing pregnancy-related back pain involves treatment for the pain and its causes.
A physical therapist will implement a treatment plan to fix your back pain and help you deal with the different factors that may be causing it.
Other Considerations
- While physical therapy is highly effective, it’s only an hour or so out of your day. Remember to discuss with your therapist how you can improve your flexibility, strength, and endurance outside of the physical therapy clinic.
- Your therapist will likely teach you specific exercises that will help you with your physical issues (if any) and make your pregnancy easier on your body.
- You should make sure that you understand how to perform the exercises correctly, exactly as demonstrated by your therapist. Ask them for additional tips on maintaining good form as you exercise.
Finding the Right Physical Therapist
Keep the following factors in mind when you’re looking for a physical therapist:
- They should have experience working with pregnant women and treating the issues that you might be having.
- Their treatment shouldn’t be limited only to weekly physical therapy sessions in the office. The treatment plan they design should emphasize overall improvements.
- After the initial evaluation, they should inform you of any potential weaknesses that they’ve identified and how they plan to keep them from getting worse.
Healing Hands is the preeminent physical therapy clinic in Augusta, GA. Our team of physical therapy experts in Augusta helps people through auto injury rehab therapy, sports injuries treatments, post-operative rehabilitation, and work therapy services.
Benefit from our physical therapy and treatments for women by booking your FREE discovery and evaluation session. Contact us today to get started.