Aching feet is one of the most common symptoms that women experience during pregnancy. While this is partially due to the added weight that your feet have to carry around while you are pregnant, many new mothers don't know the main reason behind this symptom. Did you know that your feet can actually change their shape during pregnancy?
A 2016 study published in a medical journal for foot and ankle specialists studied women across five different stages of pregnancy. The study measured the length and width of the patients' feet, as well as arch height, plantar pressure and other measurements. According to the results, there was a significant difference in nearly all the measurements over the course of the patients' pregnancies.
But what do these changes mean for your foot pain after pregnancy? There is a very good chance that the changes to the shape of your feet will result in foot pain. This could be due to your shoes no longer fitting, or a change in the way you walk. Regardless of the cause, after pregnancy may be the right time to visit a physical therapist to help treat your foot pain.
How can physical therapy help with foot pain after pregnancy?
If you have recently given birth, reaching for pain medication to treat your foot pain may not be the best option for you. A physical therapist can safely and effectively treat the cause of your foot pain after pregnancy without the need for medication. Some of the most common methods for treating foot pain include:
- Manual therapy ” Your physical therapist can use their hands or special instruments to manipulate the soft tissue in your foot, which helps reduce stiffness and relieve pain caused by tight muscles.
- Electrical stimulation therapy ” This form of therapy uses small electrical pulses to help loosen tight muscles and increase circulation, which helps relieve pain.
- Gait training therapy ” If your foot pain is due to a change in the way you walk, a physical therapist can identify problems in your gait that may be causing your pain.
- Therapeutic exercises ” Your therapist can guide you through exercises that are designed to increase the muscle strength in your feet and ankles. This not only helps reduce pain, but also helps prevent injury in the future.
Alliance PTP is ready to help you find top-notch PT for foot pain after pregnancy
At Alliance Physical Therapy Partners, we're proudly bringing together physical therapy practices across the country to help people get the high-quality PT they need. Want to see a physical therapist in person? We can put you in touch with an Alliance PTP partner that's close to you and that can help you address your postpartum foot pains.
Not keen on in-person PT sessions or not close to an Alliance PTP partner? No worries. We also offer effective and affordable virtual physical therapy through our Agile Virtual Physical Therapy platform.
Contact our team today so we can help you find the most effective physical therapy services for your injury or condition.
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