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...
By: Dr. Erica Tran, PT, DPT, OCS If you caught my Instagram Reel “Top 3 Things I’m NOT Falling For Anymore”, you already know it’s time to challenge outdated beliefs holding women back especially when it comes to strength training. But for young female athletes, pregnant women, postpartum warriors, and anyone dealing with pelvic floor...
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...
By: Chelsey Vasquez, PT, DPT, PRPC Introduction The postpartum period is an exciting time for new mothers, but it can also be a time of physical and emotional adjustment. Your body has gone through a tremendous transformation, and healing and recovery require patience and care. One of the key things that many new mothers may...
The effects of pregnancy on bone health in premenopausal women can lead to changes in bone mineral density (BMD). During early pregnancy, there is an increase in bone remodeling, which can result in a decline in BMD. The magnitude of BMD loss during pregnancy varies among studies and skeletal locations, ranging from less than 1%...
What is the pelvic floor doing while I climb? Should I do kegels? Can I climb while pregnant? “In the end, climbing was one of the only things my body felt good doing for the entirety of my pregnancy, and I climbed throughout, enjoying my final pregnant climbing session just 12 hours before going into...
Ready to run after having a baby but need a better plan on how much and how to progress your running? Read on to find a template at the end. The 6-week postpartum doctor’s visit is when women are often “cleared” for activity and are often advised to start slowly and gradually building exercise volume...
It is a misconception that postpartum recovery and postpartum exercise cannot begin until after your 6 week follow up with your OB. While postpartum recovery occurs in phases, there are some exercises you can begin right away to accelerate your recovery and prevent future dysfunction. The following exercises are applicable whether birth was a vaginal...
Women who participate in high-impact activities may be at higher risk for pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) such as urinary incontinence than women who participate in low-impact activities. Following childbirth, 30% of mothers report urinary incontinence and 10% report anal incontinence. Women are all too often advised to avoid activities such as high intensity interval training...