Prenatal Physiotherapy Edmonton
PRENATAL PHYSIOTHERAPY EDMONTON
Prenatal Physiotherapy at In Step Physical Therapy: Ensuring a Healthy, Comfortable Pregnancy Journey
At In Step Physical Therapy, we provide a comprehensive range of prenatal physiotherapy services designed to support expectant mothers through every stage of their pregnancy. Our dedicated and highly skilled team consists of a nutritionist, personal trainer, and several registered physiotherapists- Giri Srinivasan, a Certified Rost Therapy clinician for pelvic girdle pain during and after pregnancy, Muthuukaruppan Muthiah, Kamal Janakiraman, Pranjali Khairmode, Amee Bhavsar and a pelvic floor physiotherapist- Mohana Priya Thayalan, Certified in Women’s Health Physiotherapy, Pregnancy, Pelvic Girdle Pain and the Pelvic Floor understands the unique physical changes and challenges that occur during this transformative period and are committed to helping you maintain optimal health and well-being.
Why Choose In Step Physical Therapy for Prenatal Physiotherapy
- Expert Care: Our physiotherapists are highly skilled and experienced in providing prenatal physiotherapy services.
- Personalized Treatment Plans: We create individualized treatment plans based on your unique needs and pregnancy journey.
- Safe and Effective Therapy: We prioritize your safety and your baby’s safety, offering effective therapies that align with current prenatal care guidelines.
- Holistic Approach: We believe in treating the whole person, not just symptoms. Our holistic approach ensures that all aspects of your well-being are considered.
- Family-centred Care: We educate and support partners and family members, helping them understand how to support you during your pregnancy journey.
Compassionate Prenatal Physiotherapy at In Step
Prenatal physiotherapy, also known as antenatal physiotherapy, is a specialized form of physiotherapy tailored specifically to the needs of pregnant women. Our therapists focus on managing common pregnancy-related discomforts, enhancing physical health, and preparing your body for labour and postnatal recovery.
Why Prenatal Physiotherapy is Essential
- Reduced Discomfort: Physiotherapy can help alleviate many common pregnancy-related discomforts, such as back pain, pelvic pain, and leg cramps.
- Improved Physical Fitness: Regular gentle exercises can improve your cardiovascular function, strength, flexibility, and endurance, helping you cope better with the physical demands of pregnancy. An improvement in sleep can also be noticed.
- Weight management: Physical therapy, including exercise, can keep excessive weight gain in check during pregnancy as it leads to maternal complications such as hypertension, preeclampsia, and gestational diabetes.
- Labour Preparation: Physiotherapy can prepare your body for smoother labour and delivery and potentially a quicker recovery post-delivery.
- Reduced Risk of Urinary Incontinence: Strengthening your pelvic floor muscles can help prevent or manage urinary incontinence, a common issue during pregnancy and postpartum.
An Outline of the Prenatal Care at In Step
Our prenatal physiotherapy treatment plan is a multi-phase approach to support expectant mothers throughout their pregnancy and beyond.
- Initial Assessment: Our physiotherapists conduct an initial comprehensive assessment to understand your medical history, current symptoms, lifestyle, and individual needs. This helps us to create a personalized treatment plan.
- Individualized Exercise Programs: Depending on the assessment, we design an exercise program to maintain or improve your physical strength, flexibility, and endurance. This might include gentle aerobic exercises, strength training, prenatal yoga, or pilates.
- Pain Management Techniques & Postural Education and Ergonomics: We provide effective pain management strategies to alleviate common pregnancy discomforts, such as lower back pain, pelvic girdle pain, and sciatica. And our therapists will guide you on maintaining good posture and provide ergonomic advice for your home and workplace to prevent discomfort.
- Labour Preparation: As you approach your due date, we focus on preparing your body for labour. This includes teaching breathing techniques, labour positions, and pain management strategies.
- Postnatal Recovery: After delivery, we provide postnatal physiotherapy to support your recovery, including pelvic floor strengthening, abdominal rehabilitation, and general fitness.
Factors to consider before Prenatal Physiotherapy
While prenatal physiotherapy is generally safe and beneficial, some potential challenges might arise:
- Physical Discomfort: Depending on your condition, you may initially experience discomfort during the exercises. Our therapists always work within your comfort level and adjust your program as needed.
- Time Commitment: Consistency is key to experiencing the benefits of physiotherapy, which may require a significant time commitment, especially if exercises are to be done daily.
- Variation in Progress: Every woman’s body responds differently to physiotherapy. Some may see rapid progress, while others may improve more gradually. Patience and consistency are essential.
Remember, every pregnancy is unique. Always consult with your healthcare provider before starting a new treatment plan. At In Step Physical Therapy, we collaborate with your healthcare team to provide a safe and effective prenatal physiotherapy program tailored to your needs.
Prenatal Physiotherapy Services at In Step
Our prenatal physiotherapy program offers an array of services:
- Pregnancy Pain Management: Our therapists design safe and personalized exercise programs to improve your strength, flexibility, and endurance, helping you adapt to your changing body. An exercise program based on the FITT Recommendations for Pregnancy is designed
- Postural correction
- Supported side-sleeping
- Lumbar roll while sitting
- Limiting standing and walking
- Antenatal exercises
- Yoga
- Any low-intensity, relaxation activity
2. Pregnancy Exercise Programs: Our therapists design safe and personalized exercise programs to improve your strength, flexibility, and endurance, helping you adapt to your changing body. An exercise program based on the FITT Recommendations for Pregnancy is designed
- Frequency: 3 or more days a week for aerobic activities and 2-3 non-consecutive days per week for resistance activities.
- Intensity: moderate intensity (12-13 on the 6-20 Borg scale) for aerobic activities; resistance activities should be performed to the point of moderate fatigue (8-10 reps or 12-15 reps). Begin with low weights with multiple repetitions.
- Time: 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activities, 2-3 sets of resistance exercises focusing on major muscle groups. (beginners should start with 1 set and progress as able)
- Type: Exercises that use large muscle groups in a continuous rhythmic manner are beneficial and have not been associated with adverse effects eg aerobic exercises, walking, hiking, jogging/running, aerobic dance, swimming, cycling, rowing, cross-country skiing, skating, dancing and rope skipping (extra caution should be taken with activities that increase the risk of falls).
3. Prenatal Pilates: Pilates can be an excellent way to maintain strength and flexibility during pregnancy, and our certified Pilates instructors can guide you through safe and effective prenatal Pilates routines.
4. Pelvic Floor Strengthening: Strengthening the pelvic floor muscles is vital during pregnancy to support your growing baby and can help with labour and postnatal recovery.
5. Labour Preparation: We offer guidance and exercises to help you prepare your body for labour, focusing on breathing techniques, labour positions, and pain management strategies.
FAQ:
Physical therapy is considered safe and beneficial for pregnant women without contraindications to exercise. Moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) benefits both mother and fetus in most pregnancies with the necessary modifications.
The physiotherapist/healthcare provider must be informed immediately when any of the following conditions are present:
- persistent excessive shortness of breath that does not resolve with rest
- severe chest pain
- regular and painful uterine contractions
- vaginal bleeding
- persistent loss of fluid from the vagina indicating the rupture of the membranes
- persistent dizziness, syncope or faintness that does not resolve on rest
- decreased fetal movement
- muscle weakness affecting balance
- calf pain or swelling
A session depends on the various aspects of the treatment plan created based on the pregnant person’s needs. A typical session might last from 45 minutes to one hour.
The first session will comprise of initial assessment, which includes understanding the medical history, symptoms, lifestyle and the individual needs of the person. A comprehensive therapy plan will be created after consultation with the healthcare provider.
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At In Step Physical Therapy, we are dedicated to providing the highest quality of prenatal physiotherapy care. Trust us to guide you through your pregnancy journey, ensuring you feel supported, empowered, and comfortable every step of the way. Contact us.
