PHYSIOTHERAPY DURING PREGNANCY

During pregnancy, a woman’s body undergoes tremendous changes to the musculoskeletal and fascial systems. It is the result of the developing foetus, the growing uterus, the gradual adaptation of the body system to an upright position and the preparation of the tissues for childbirth. The posture of the body is changing, the breathing path is deepened by the curvature of the spine, the centre of gravity of the body is shifting. Musculoskeletal and fascial overloads that occur during this period can contribute to pain, increased tension, and muscle weakness.

In many cases, posture patterns already altered before pregnancy are superimposed on others, often causing pain and overload in the musculoskeletal structures.

Physiotherapy during pregnancy is helpful in many ailments that may arise during pregnancy, i.e.:

• pain in the lumbar and thoracic spine
• pain in the symphysis area / pubic symphysis separation
• urinary incontinence
• urinary urgency
• increased tension in the pelvic floor muscles
• increased tension of the ligaments in the pelvic area
• a feeling of heaviness, tension in the lower abdominal wall
• hip joint pain
• sacroiliac joint pain
• sciatic neuralgia
• diastasis of the rectus abdominis muscles

Physiotherapy during pregnancy will be based on:

• the use of manual techniques
• the use of osteopathic techniques
• the use of taping
• work on the breath
• selection of individual movement exercises, which will additionally relieve you from ailments
• preparation of perineal tissues and pelvic ligaments for natural childbirth
• preparing the patient for delivery by caesarean section (education, prevention, exercises) and natural childbirth.

Physiotherapy in pregnancy also includes preparing the patient for the early postnatal period (regardless of the type of birth) from the first hours and days after delivery. Support is based on educating the patient and learning how to work with the body after childbirth to help tissue regeneration rather than harm, such a visit includes:

• the use of appropriate exercises and treatments supporting the puerperium process, i.e. perineal protection, scar care and protection, breathing exercises, anticoagulant exercises, ergonomic principles.