Pregnancy can cause women to undergo many physical changes. Hormonal changes prepare the body physically for birth, causing postural changes and in turn a level of discomfort and stress, that’s different for every women and every pregnancy. Physiotherapists are trained in pre and post natal physiotherapy, specifically designed for your individual needs.

Pre and post-natal care can help you to better cope and manage with the many changes that you can experience as a pregnant woman and for a short period soon after giving birth.

When preparing for childbirth and parenthood, women and their partners benefit from learning a range of physical techniques and coping skills. Physiotherapists have the expertise to teach these skills, which include positioning, rhythmic movement, massage, relaxation and breathing awareness.

Common pre-natal and post-natal problems that Physios may treat include:

• Spinal Pain
• Pelvic Pain
• Mastitis
• Pelvic Floor Weakness
• Back Pain
• Abdominal Bulging
• Carpal Tunnel
• Post Caesarean Pain
• Stability
• Ligament/Muscle Strains

The objective of physiotherapy is to gently restore balance to the body through several techniques in a drug-free environment.

Some of the treatment techniques we may use include:

• Joint and spinal mobilisation
• Massage techniques
• Exercise prescription
• Corrective taping and strapping
• Muscle retraining
• Clinical Pilates
• Heat and cold therapy
• Patient education

Physiotherapy is a great way to reduce painful symptoms, feel more mobile, flexible and comfortable in your movements, strengthen your body and minimise the recurrence of injuries, so you can stay active during your pregnancy as well as optimise labour and your post natal recovery.