Ante Natal Physiotherapy Treatment

Ante Natal care means ‘ care before birth”. Antenatal care aims to monitor and promote the well being of a mother and her developing baby.

Common complaints (which can be treated in our centre) include

  • Sacrolilliac joint dysfunction: pain around dimple joints at the back of the pelvis, buttocks
  • Symphysis pubis dysfunction: symptoms may include pain in the pubic bone especially when walking or seperating the legs and in prolong sitting
  • Lower back pain
  • Knee pain
  • Tenosynovitis
  • Weight reduction after pregnancy

 

Ante Natal Treatment

  • Education regarding posture and back care
  • Exercises to improve muscle control around your pelvis and spine
  • Stretches
  • Safe modalities like TENS for pain relief
  • K taping

 

Guidelines for exercises in Pregnancy

  • Consult with medical care giver before commencing exercises.
  • Gradually increase exercise if previously sedentary
  • Maximum heart rate does not exceed 140-150 beats/min
  • Avoid exercises in hot condition
  • Ensure adequate warm up and cool down periods
  • Avoid exercising in supine after end of 4 month as this leads to dizziness and sickness
  • Avoid contact sports after 16 weeks of gestation
  • Full flexion and hyperextension of joints should be avoided
  • Don’t use isometric contraction as they decrease circulation and increase BP
  • Avoid ballistic bouncing with  stretches and do not  overstretch
  • Avoid abdominal exercise after 12 weeks. Abdominal curls can be continued as she will be happy to do them
  • Yoga is a great form of relaxation, suppleness, breathing control and developing concentration.
  • Pilates exercises can be done

 

POST – NATAL PHYSIOTHERAPY
  • Women commonly experience muscle and joint pain postnatally and the following are contributing factors
  • Weakness of the lower abdominal and pelvic floor muscles in both vaginal and caesarian deliveries
  • Long periods  of sitting while  feeding the baby can contribute to pain and spasm in the upper body
  • Unaccustomed lifting and bending over cots, car seats etc.
  • The presence of  hormone relaxin in the weeks loosens ligaments which are then more vulnerable to sprains and strains

 

PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED
  • Pelvic floor muscle weakness, and stress incontinence
  • Lower back pain
  • Neck and upper shoulder pain and stiffness
  • Sacroiliac joint dysfunction

 

PHYSIOTHERAPY MEASURES
  • Advice on the  back care while  feeding and lifting of baby
  • Exercises to improve muscle control around the pelvis and spine
  • Mobilizations and stretches for stiff joints and the spine
  • Massage
  • Electrotherapy