During pregnancy, the body experiences remarkable changes to support the growing baby, but these changes can sometimes lead to discomfort or pelvic health issues.
Pelvic floor physiotherapy in Edmonton offers specialized care designed to support and strengthen the muscles that play a huge role in pelvic stability and overall well-being during this transformative time.
Pelvic floor therapy programs are specifically crafted to address common issues such as pelvic pain, urinary incontinence, and pelvic floor dysfunction, offering gentle yet effective solutions to support you through every stage of pregnancy and into postpartum recovery.
How Does Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy Help Treat Pelvic Pain in Pregnancy?
Pelvic floor physiotherapy in Edmonton plays a crucial role in treating pelvic pain during pregnancy by addressing underlying causes and providing targeted relief. Here’s how it helps:
1. Assessment
A thorough assessment helps identify the specific sources of pelvic pain, which can include pelvic joint instability, muscle tension, or ligament strain. This targeted approach ensures that treatment is tailored to your individual needs.
- History Taking: Detailed discussion about your medical history, previous pregnancies, any current symptoms, and activities that worsen or alleviate pelvic pain.
- Pelvic Floor Assessment: Examination of pelvic floor muscle tone, strength, endurance, and coordination. This may involve internal palpation to assess the pelvic floor muscles directly.
2. Pain Relief Techniques
Physiotherapists employ various techniques like manual therapy, gentle stretches, and exercises aimed at relieving pain and decreasing inflammation in the pelvic area. These techniques are safe and effective during pregnancy.
Manual Therapy:
Hands-on techniques are performed by a physiotherapist to mobilize and manipulate pelvic joints and soft tissues. This can include gentle joint mobilizations, soft tissue massage, and myofascial release to alleviate tension and improve mobility.
- Scar Tissue Mobilization: If applicable (e.g., after previous surgeries or injuries), gentle techniques to mobilize and soften scar tissue in the pelvic area. This can improve tissue flexibility and reduce pain associated with scar tissue adhesions.
- Joint Stabilization Techniques: Hands-on techniques aimed at stabilizing pelvic joints, such as the pubic symphysis or sacroiliac joints, to improve their stability and reduce pain caused by joint instability.
Modalities:
In some cases, electrotherapy modalities such as TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) may be used under guidance to help manage pelvic pain and promote muscle relaxation.
TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation):
- Pain Management: TENS units deliver low-voltage electrical currents to specific areas of the body via electrodes placed on the skin. This stimulates sensory nerves, which can help to block pain signals travelling to the brain, thereby reducing the perception of pelvic pain.
- Muscle Relaxation: TENS therapy can promote muscle relaxation by maximizing blood flow to the pelvic area and triggering the body to release endorphins, which are the body’s natural painkillers.
Interferential Current Therapy (IFT):
- Pain Relief: IFT involves using medium-frequency electrical currents to penetrate deeper tissues. It can aid in minimizing inflammation, improving circulation, and promoting muscle relaxation.
- Edema Reduction: IFT may also aid in reducing swelling (edema) in the pelvic region, which can contribute to pain relief.
Ultrasound Therapy:
- Deep Heat Therapy: Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to generate heat deep within tissues. This can help relax muscles, increase blood flow, and reduce pain and stiffness in the pelvic area.
- Tissue Healing: Ultrasound therapy promotes tissue healing by enhancing cellular metabolism and collagen synthesis.
Biofeedback:
- Muscle Training: Biofeedback techniques provide real-time information about muscle activity, helping individuals learn to control and strengthen pelvic floor muscles effectively. This can improve pelvic floor function and alleviate associated pain.
Percutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (PENS):
- Similar to TENS, PENS involves inserting fine needles through the skin to deliver electrical stimulation directly to nerves and tissues. It can be used to manage localized pain in the pelvic region.
3. Pelvic Floor Exercises
This is aimed at strengthening the pelvic floor muscles, which are prescribed to improve support for the pelvic organs and enhance overall stability. Stronger pelvic floor muscles can also help alleviate pain by reducing strain on the pelvic area.
Kegel Exercises:
These entail contracting and relaxing the pelvic floor muscles. Pelvic wall therapy can help improve muscle tone, endurance, and coordination, which are essential for supporting the pelvic organs and reducing pelvic pain.
Bridge Exercises:
These exercises strengthen the gluteal muscles and core while also engaging the pelvic floor. Bridges help stabilize the pelvis and improve overall pelvic strength and function.
4. Supportive Devices
Depending on your specific needs, your pelvic floor therapist may recommend supportive devices such as pelvic belts or braces to provide additional stability and reduce discomfort during movement.
Custom Orthotics:
Custom-made shoe inserts or orthotics may be prescribed to improve alignment and minimize strain on the pelvis and lower extremities. Proper foot alignment can positively impact pelvic stability and alleviate associated pain.
Sacral Belts:
Designed to support the sacroiliac joint specifically, sacral belts wrap around the hips and pelvis to stabilize the joint and reduce pain caused by sacroiliac joint dysfunction.
5. Birth Preparation
Female pelvic floor physiotherapy provides techniques and exercises to prepare your body for labour and delivery. This includes practicing relaxation techniques and learning positions that can ease pelvic pain during childbirth.
Perineal Massage:
Techniques taught to gently massage and stretch the perineal tissues in preparation for childbirth. Perineal massage can help increase flexibility and reduce the risk of perineal trauma during delivery.
Achieving Comfort and Confidence:
At In Step Physical Therapy, we offer pelvic health physiotherapy to help alleviate pelvic pain and promote overall pelvic health during this transformative time. Through personalized assessments and targeted treatments, pelvic floor physiotherapy in Edmonton addresses the root causes of pelvic pain, whether due to joint instability, muscle tension, or other factors.
Our comprehensive approach extends beyond pain management to include birth preparation techniques that empower you for labour and delivery. From prenatal pelvic floor relaxation and pain management strategies to education on optimal labour positions and perineal care, we equip you with the tools and knowledge to navigate childbirth confidently.
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