The body of a woman undergoes dramatic changes during pregnancy for creating an appropriate environment for the growth and development of the fetus. While certain changes may not manifest any symptoms, hormonal changes can specifically affect both, physical and mental abilities. Mood swings, constipation, nausea, vomiting and body aches are the most prominent effects of pregnancy. Owing to the fact that most analgesics and other medications are contraindicated for women during pregnancy due to their unwanted side effects, physical therapy has gained acceptance by the medical community as a natural alternative to help pregnant women cope with the discomfort and unpleasant effects associated with pregnancy.
Myths associated with physical therapy
One of the most common myths about physical therapy is that any form of physical exercise during pregnancy can increase the chances of miscarriage and preterm labor. Unlike vigorous exercises that strain the abdominal muscles, low impact exercises performed under the supervision of a physical therapist, can actually help you have an easier and smoother pregnancy.
In addition, it is also believed that physical therapy is only useful for women who are in their post partum stage, to lose weight and regain strength and vitality. However, this long held view has been changed due to evidence presented by many scientific studies that have proven the benefits of physical therapy during pregnancy.
How can physical therapy help pregnant women?
As often believed, physical therapy is not just meant for recovery after pregnancy, but is one of the means to ease the discomfort and pain that most women undergo during their child bearing years. Among the myriad of benefits associated with physical therapy during pregnancy, stabilization of hormonal changes and increase in the strength of muscles and joints are the two most important advantages that can help you overcome more than half the problems related to pregnancy. The other benefits associated with physical therapy include:
Unlike what it was a few decades ago, today’s women have a wider range of pre-natal therapies to choose from. However, the kind of treatment that you select largely governs the benefits that you can extract and hence you should be extremely careful while opting for a program. One should avoid programs that place excess strain on the abdomen and include passive exercises that fail to enhance the strength and flexibility of muscles and joints.
Ensure that the physical therapist that you are consulting is a certified medical professional who can recommend home based exercises for improving your body posture and. They should help you deal with joint pains due to any previous medical conditions and work proactively to look for any signs of weakness that can serve as an obstacle during delivery.
Myths associated with physical therapy
One of the most common myths about physical therapy is that any form of physical exercise during pregnancy can increase the chances of miscarriage and preterm labor. Unlike vigorous exercises that strain the abdominal muscles, low impact exercises performed under the supervision of a physical therapist, can actually help you have an easier and smoother pregnancy.
In addition, it is also believed that physical therapy is only useful for women who are in their post partum stage, to lose weight and regain strength and vitality. However, this long held view has been changed due to evidence presented by many scientific studies that have proven the benefits of physical therapy during pregnancy.
How can physical therapy help pregnant women?
As often believed, physical therapy is not just meant for recovery after pregnancy, but is one of the means to ease the discomfort and pain that most women undergo during their child bearing years. Among the myriad of benefits associated with physical therapy during pregnancy, stabilization of hormonal changes and increase in the strength of muscles and joints are the two most important advantages that can help you overcome more than half the problems related to pregnancy. The other benefits associated with physical therapy include:
- Improves blood circulation and reduces swelling in arms and feet.
- Puts a stop to mood swings, anxiety and headaches that occur due to hormonal changes.
- Prevents morning sickness, nausea, vomiting and improves bowel movement thus helping you to overcome constipation.
- Allows you to avoid excess of weight gain due to increased craving for food.
- Reduces pelvic pain and incontinence that occurs due to vaginal delivery.
- Helps you recover from surgical scars, tears and hemorrhoids in the pelvic region after delivery.
How to choose the right program?
Unlike what it was a few decades ago, today’s women have a wider range of pre-natal therapies to choose from. However, the kind of treatment that you select largely governs the benefits that you can extract and hence you should be extremely careful while opting for a program. One should avoid programs that place excess strain on the abdomen and include passive exercises that fail to enhance the strength and flexibility of muscles and joints.
Ensure that the physical therapist that you are consulting is a certified medical professional who can recommend home based exercises for improving your body posture and. They should help you deal with joint pains due to any previous medical conditions and work proactively to look for any signs of weakness that can serve as an obstacle during delivery.
