By: Erica Tran, PT, DPT, OCS and Chelsey Vasquez, PT, DPT, PRPC Breastfeeding is a beautiful bonding experience during the postpartum period but it often requires moms to spend long periods leaning forward and looking down at their baby. In our Lafayette Physical Therapy clinic we have found this position, over time, can lead to:...
By: Maggie Gebhardt, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT While the joys of a new baby are unmatched, the physical toll of pregnancy—ranging from core weakness to pelvic and SI joint pain—often leaves postpartum women grappling with persistent low back pain. Nearly one-third of women continue to experience lumbopelvic pain a full year after giving birth. This...
As pelvic health physical therapists, we often work with athletes who are navigating the unique challenges of balancing their athletic pursuits with the demands of postpartum recovery. One topic that comes up frequently, yet isn’t often discussed enough, is the hormonal changes that occur during breastfeeding and how these can impact athletic performance. Let’s break...
By: Chelsey Vasquez, PT, DPT, PRPC and Erica Tran, PT, DPT, OCS Congratulations on the birth of your little one! While welcoming your baby into the world is an exciting and joyful time, your body is also navigating some significant changes after a cesarean section (C-section). One area that may require extra attention is your...
Meet Sarah, a new mom grappling with the challenges of her evolving sex life. Like many new parents, she finds herself facing painful intercourse and a decrease in sexual desire just three months after welcoming her baby. Unfortunately, this struggle is not uncommon. Up to 88% of new parents report sexual well-being issues, yet less...
Low back pain is the most common condition seen by primary care physicians and Physical Therapists. Although prevalent, low back pain can be a challenge to treat due to the different presentations of patients with this condition. In our Boulder Physical Therapy and Lafayette Physical Therapy clinics we accurately identify the presentation type with a...
Bringing a new life into the world is an incredible journey that transforms us in profound ways. However, the postpartum period often brings its own set of challenges, especially for those eager to return to an active lifestyle or sports. Fortunately, more research is being done and evidence is emerging. The article “Maximizing Recovery in...
Is low back pain delaying your ability to get back to postpartum exercise? Your pelvic girdle and pelvic floor muscles may need some attention! One complaint we often hear as pelvic floor physical therapists working with our postpartum population is the inability to get back to mat exercise because of pain when lying flat on...
Low Back Pain and Postpartum Depression By Berrin Boyce, PT, DPT, PRPC Low back pain, pelvic girdle pain, and postpartum depression are relatively common following pregnancy. Musculoskeletal pain likely impacts around 50% of people in the postpartum period (Carvalho et al, 2016), while 1 in 7 women will experience postpartum depression. Although both are common,...