Postnatal Physiotherapy
Whatever your type of delivery, the post-natal period (or fourth trimester as its sometimes known) can often be a challenging time with regards to a women's physical health. During the 9 months of growing a baby, a woman's body undergoes the most phenomenal physical changes. This is then followed by either an intense vaginal delivery or a major abdominal operation, with all the possible challenges either involves for the body. The resulting recovery period can often take far longer and be more complicated than people assume.
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Camilla is highly experienced in looking after women at this time of life and having gone through it twice herself, is fully aware of the emotional and physical adjustments women experience in early motherhood. The last thing you need to be dealing with at this point (on top of the sleepless nights!) is pain or pelvic floor issues. All of the following problems are sadly fairly common in early motherhood (1 in 3 women!) but are all treatable with physiotherapy:
Postnatal Conditions Treated:
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Neck, back and coccyx pain
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Pelvic girdle pain (SPD/pubic bone or sacroiliac pain)
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Sciatica
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Rib and shoulder blade pain
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Hand and wrist pain (including Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, DeQuervain's)
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Abdominal Muscle weakness/pain/separation (including Diastasis Recti)
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C-section scar tension/pain/ healing
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Bladder and Bowel problems (such as leaking urine, stool or wind) or constipation.
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Pelvic organ prolapse
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Pelvic floor weakness
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Pelvic floor / Vulval/ Vaginal pain
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Recovery and rehab following perineal trauma (Episiotomies, 2nd, 3rd and 4th degree tears)
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Mastitis and blocked breast ducts - (treatment with ultrasound)
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Pain from breast/bottle-feeding postures
If you are struggling with any of the above please don't suffer in silence - the longer we put up with these problems, not only can it start to negatively impact on those early precious months with your new-born, but often it can then take longer to sort out the issues when you do finally seek treatment.
Camilla can assess and treat you from the day you get home after your delivery - it is never too early to get on top of these problems. Please contact us if you would like to discuss a problem or to book an appointment.
Postnatal Treatments may include:​
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Advice and education regarding your condition/diagnosis and stage of recovery
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Manual therapy (soft tissue release work, massage, joint mobilisations)
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Acupuncture
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Taping
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Provision of appropriate support belts/ walking aids
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General exercise advice and bespoke exercise programmes
- Lifestyle advice regarding bladder/bowel management
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Individualised Pelvic floor muscle training (strengthening) or down-training (relaxation)
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Gentle manual therapy for pelvic floor pain
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Scar treatments for problematic c-section or perineal scars
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Ultrasound and therapeutic massage for blocked breast ducts
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Safe return to exercise/ running advice and programs
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Liaison with other healthcare professionals/ fitness professionals involved in your treatment (with your consent)
POSTNATAL BODY-CHECK
Adjusting to your new post-baby body can be a challenge and even more so when you’re desperate to get back into shape but don’t have a clue where to start, or what’s safe and what’s not. If these questions or any others regarding your physical recovery after birth were not fully covered in your postnatal GP check, then a physio-led Postnatal Body-Check (often known as a Mummy MOT) is what you need.
This is an hour-long appointment that can be taken any time from 6 weeks after your delivery. We will fully assess your posture, back, hips and pelvis, along with checks on your abdominal muscles, any abdominal or perineal scars that are still healing and a full assessment of your pelvic floor. This normally includes an internal vaginal examination, but is not essential.
You will then be given a detailed summary of how you are recovering and any issues that have been identified. A bespoke post-natal recovery program can then be devised especially for your lifestyle and fitness goals, including specific and safe post-natal exercises to regain stability and optimum function.
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For many women this 1hr appointment is all they need to get them on the right path, but for some with identified problems that warrant ongoing treatment, further sessions of focused work alongside a bespoke home program that fits into busy Mum-life is always available.
