Pregnancy physical therapy: What are the benefits?

Pregnancy is an often exciting journey. While many consider pregnancy a rewarding experience, it can also bring about various difficulties along the way. When women’s health challenges relating to pregnancy arise, finding the right treatment is important. One valuable resource that many women may not be aware of is physical therapy. Physical therapy can offer help every step of the way through your pregnancy and beyond.

Benefits of physical therapy during pregnancy

• Pain management — Pregnancy often comes with different kinds of pain. As your body undergoes transformative changes, you might experience back pain, pelvic pain and joint discomfort. Inflammation in the arms and legs is not uncommon either. This makes having a chronic pain management plan important when pregnant. A physical therapist can help manage and alleviate your pregnancy-related pains with targeted exercises and other pain relief techniques. Manual therapy is one common approach used for pain relief. With manual therapy, your physical therapist can utilize a hands-on approach to relieve tension in your muscles and joints. The wide array of pain relief techniques available is meant to ensure that each patient gets the support they need.
   
• Reduced edema — Have you noticed persistent swelling in your legs and ankles while pregnant? This might be edema, a kind of swelling caused by fluid trapped in your tissue. Edema is common during pregnancy because your body retains more fluids during this time. The uterus can also disrupt the way your blood regularly flows throughout the body, causing fluid to accumulate. If you are experiencing edema during your pregnancy, physical therapy can help. A physical therapist can apply specialized manual lymphatic drainage techniques to encourage proper drainage, reducing swelling. Your therapist can also guide you through exercises tailored to promote healthy blood flow and reduce swelling. By reducing your swelling, you may notice a boost in your comfort level.
   
• Increased energy — Being pregnant tends to be physically taxing. As your pregnancy progresses, physical therapy can help reduce your exhaustion. With tailored exercises and breathing techniques, you can build endurance and boost your energy levels. Having increased energy while pregnant can be vital for balancing the daily activities in your life. With the help of PT, you can improve your cardiovascular health, strength and stamina.
   
• Pelvic floor treatments — Maintaining good pelvic health is important at any time. When you are pregnant, it can be especially crucial. The pelvic floor is a muscle complex that functions to support your urinary and reproductive systems. When people experience pelvic floor dysfunction, which is somewhat common during pregnancy, it can cause symptoms such as pain and incontinence. With pelvic floor exercises, a physical therapist can guide you through different ways to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles. This often helps reduce discomfort and promotes stability. Physical therapy exercises during pregnancy can also be a great way to prepare for the pelvic floor’s role in labor and delivery.
   
• Improved posture — The physical changes that come with pregnancy can contribute to poor posture. When your posture contorts your body in unnatural ways, it can put excess stress on your muscles and joints. This is why poor posture can lead to worsening pain and discomfort. Physical therapy can help pregnant women to make postural adjustments. After an initial assessment of your posture, a physical therapist can provide strategies to maintain your alignment. This should reduce strain on your back and pelvis. Your physical therapist may also recommend core exercises to strengthen and stabilize your core muscles. Having strong core muscles can empower you to maintain proper posture more easily.
   
• Labor preparation — Physical therapy can provide valuable preparation for labor and what to expect afterward. Your physical therapist can help educate you on the labor and delivery process and provide strategies to prepare you physically. Giving birth does not necessarily mean you need to stop physical therapy. In fact, postpartum physical therapy care can be essential as you recover from childbirth. With the right physical therapist, you can comfortably navigate each step of your pregnancy and what comes after.

Find effective and affordable pregnancy care from an Alliance PTP partner

Physical therapy can be an effective and affordable way to receive care during your pregnancy. You just need the right partner to provide it. 

Alliance Physical Therapy Partners has you covered. We can help you find a PT clinic near you that’s staffed with experienced and caring physical therapists. 

Prefer to meet with a physical therapist virtually? We’ve got you covered there, too. 

Reach out to us today so we can help you find the physical therapy that works best for your needs.