PRENATAL AND POSTPARTUM THERAPY PT for New and Expectant Mothers
Pregnancy is one of life’s most magical processes, but it can also come with plenty of aches and pains. It goes without saying that women undergo immense physiological change during the course of a pregnancy, and these changes can be painful and uncomfortable. Physical therapy can help ease your pain and making you feel more comfortable both during pregnancy and in the postpartum period. It’s a good idea to consult a physical therapist as soon as you are aware of your pregnancy. During your first trimester, you may begin to experience lower back pain. The pain usually results from changes in your posture that occur naturally as your baby grows and your uterus expands. Posture correction, hands-on manual therapy, and stretching can help limit your discomfort. In later stages of pregnancy, many mothers suffer from diastasis recti, a separation of the abdominal muscles. According to WebMD, about two-thirds of pregnant women develop this condition. Your therapist can prescribe exercise to strengthen both your abdominal muscles and those surrounding them, limiting the risk of long-term pain and injury. As your pregnancy enters its third trimester, you may start to
feel shortness of breath caused by increased pressure placed on your diaphragm. Understanding your respiratory mechanics will give you the tools to breathe fully throughout your pregnancy. Even women who have a relatively pain-free pregnancy can experience symptoms after giving birth. Among the most common are pelvic pain, back issues, incontinence, pain during sexual intercourse, and organ prolapse. While some of these symptoms will resolve themselves as your body adjusts after childbirth, you should consult with a physical therapist to ensure that your issues are not severe. A proper exercise and therapy program can help get you back to normal quickly with minimal complications. At Gilbert Physical Therapy, we specialize in helping new and expectant mothers experience the joy of childbirth without having to suffer through undue pain during the pregnancy and postpartum stages. Whether you’ve just gotten the good news that you’re pregnant or your due date is fast approaching, call us today to see how we can help.
SUDOKU
GREEN BEAN AND SESAME SALAD
If you need an easy, healthy side dishwith plenty of flavor, this green bean saladwill be the perfect addition to your summermenu.
INGREDIENTS
•
3 cups green beans, ends trimmed
•
1 small red onion, finely chopped
•
1 teaspoon white wine vinegar
•
Small bunch of freshmint
•
1 tablespoon olive oil
•
Small bunch of flat-leaf parsley
•
2 tablespoons sesame seeds, toasted
•
Salt and pepper, to taste
DIRECTIONS
1. Bring a large saucepan of water to boil; cook green beans for 4–5 minutes; drain well. 2. In a blender, mix finely choppedmint and parsley
3. Add dressing, onion, and
sesame seeds to beans. Toss together. Cool dish, then refrigerate until ready to serve.
with olive oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper. Blend until combined.
Inspired by Delicious magazine
www.GilbertPT.com | 3
Published by The Newsletter Pro • www.NewsletterPro.com
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker