Happy Healthy Moms

Therapies for During and After Your Pregnancy

Natural, safe, and specialized, our services are coordinated completely within the guidelines of your physician’s recommendations.

 

Becoming Pregnant

Infertility Problems:
Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine have been shown to be very effective in fertility. Even if you are undergoing IVF, Acupuncture can improve the chances of getting pregnant and maintaining your pregnancy.

Physical Therapy can also aid in breaking up adhesions (from prior surgeries, endometriosis, PCOS, etc.) or just increasing blood flow to the vagina and reproductive organs.

Overcoming Painful Intercourse:
If you are having difficulty getting pregnant because intercourse is too painful there are numerous techniques you can try. We have helped thousands of women alleviate their pain with intercourse!

 

Early Pregnancy

In your first and second trimester, it is beneficial to establish a safe exercise program to gain strength and endurance for labor positions and prepare for the post-partum demands of childcare. Manual therapy, therapeutic exercise, and educational sessions can help you manage the postural and musculoskeletal changes during this special time.

We offer specialty classes designed to give you insight on how to prepare your pelvic muscles to optimize both delivery and recovery after childbirth. See classes for Pelvic Muscle Preparation and Healing offerings.

Weeks 34-36
We can evaluate and recommend labor positions using pelvic floor muscle biofeedback to assess the activation of the pelvic floor (perineal muscles) in various positions. It is important to know what positions are recommended, and which should be avoided for certain musculoskeletal dysfunctions.

  • We can provide instruction in perineal massage with patient and/or partner
  • We can review immediate post-partum products and exercises (such as kegels, belly bands for abdominal bracing, proper posture for breastfeeding, body mechanics for lifting the baby and childcare)

Please note multiple visits may be needed to cover all topics above.

It is recommended that a patient’s labor support team attend a visit, such as the patient’s partner, or any other people that will be providing support during labor.

 

Throughout Pregnancy

While difficulty walking and many aches and pains are considered “normal”, physical therapy, acupuncture and specialty pilates exercises can often help decrease discomfort and give you the tools to prevent the pain from getting worse.

Therapy Services After the Baby is Born
We believe every woman should be referred to a Women’s Health physical therapist after your 6 week check up with your health care practitioner. This is the standard of care for women in other countries such as France, New Zealand, Australia, Germany, and the Netherlands. It is during this visit that we can address any other ailments that may be related to the pregnancy and postpartum period, including all of the conditions listed below:

  • Incontinence
  • Prolapse
  • Painful Intercourse
  • Back/Neck Pain
  • Postural Issues

What we evaluate at the 6 week physical therapy appointment (with doctor / midwife clearance):

  • Pelvic Floor for spasm or weakness
  • Diastasis Recti (abdominal separation)
  • Scar Tissue Restrictions (Cesarean, Perineal)
  • Pelvic and Spinal Alignment
  • Posture and Body Mechanics
  • Strength and Coordination of Trunk and Pelvis

We also discuss any treatment options for urinary or bowel incontinence, healing techniques to improve painful sex, treatment options for mastitis, and give you hope and direction to get your body and its systems back on track.

 

Additional Services to Help You Through Your Pregnancy:

Prenatal Specialty Massage:
We have a massage therapist on staff who is knowledgeable on safe, effective prenatal massages. We even have specialty belly cut out tables!

Safe Strengthening:
Private Prenatal Pilates Programs with instructors who have education specific to SAFE Pre- and Post-Natal Exercises

Chinese Medicine/ Acupuncture:

  • Adjunctive Fertility Care (to aid the uterus in holding the embryo)
  • Pain/Nausea Control
  • Prenatal Wellness

Guided Imagery/ Clinical Hypnotherapy:

Prepare for your childbirth by having guided imagery to help you decrease your muscle tension and have an enriched birthing experience!