Iām often asked about diastasis recti (the medical name for abdominal separation) by both pre and postnatal clients and do believe that education is key when it comes to both minimizing and rehabilitating this condition. If youĀ havenāt yet read Part I, you can find it here! Let’s get started with a bit of research: Boissonnault & Blaschak (1988) found that 27% of women have a DRA in the second trimester and 66% in the third trimester of pregnancy. 53% of …
Physical Therapy in the Perinatal Time: Guest Contributor, Aimee Lake, DPT
Physical therapy can be very helpful for maintaining a healthy level of physical activity during pregnancy. It can be helpful for managing and solving some of the physical challenges of pregnancy. It can also be a great resource for preparing for birth and post partum recovery. People often think of physical therapy in terms of getting rid of pain or the rehab thatās needed after a surgery. But as a Womenās Health physical therapist, I like to think of my …
Why Does My Back Ache in Pregnancy?
So, todayās topic is all about the postural changes that occur in a pregnant personās body.Ā Iāve listed some of the main anatomical changes that occur below to help you understand why you may be suffering with stiff shoulders, neck strain and constant back pain. Welcome to pregnancyā¦or not! Thereās so much that can be done to minimize or eliminate these aches and pains. Ā The answer may not be exercise, but it may be a combination of complimentary therapies. Itās …
Abdominals During Pregnancy
WHAT HAPPENS TO THE ABDOMINALS DURING PREGNANCY? With all the pressure outward and downward as the size of belly grows, you may be wonderingā¦āWhat happens to the abdominals during pregnancy?āĀ This quick read provides insight into all that is happening as your body adapts to pregnancy. The six-pack muscle (Rectus Abdominis) runs from your breast bone to your pubic bone and is joined together with a strong fibrous sheath called the Linea Alba.Ā In some pregnancies, the Linea Alba becomes …
Breastfeeding and Exercise Tips
Breastfeeding and Exercise Tips This topic has been on my mind as we are two weeks in to the May Mom & Baby Series. While instructing Mom & Baby, I always keep breastfeeding in mindāallowing fifteen minutes at the start of each class for preemptive nursing and of course, time throughout and following class as needed. As the mama of a boy who still nurses on demand at 18 months, I have had my share of breastfeeding and exercise related …
Diastasis Recti–An Overview
Diastasis Recti: Defined What is this big, scary sounding term and how does it or could it effect you, your pregnancy and ability to recover postpartum? Ā Diastasis Recti is a term for the weakening and subsequent separation of the connective tissue at the midline of the abdomen secondary to increased intra-abdominal pressure. Ā In simple terms, it’s the separation of the “six-pack” muscles laterally from left to right and is a symptom of a core that is not functioning well. Ā This …