Pregnancy Physiotherapy

Do you suffer from pelvic girdle pain, back pain, sciatica, hip pain, pelvic pain or pelvic floor issues? You’re not alone. Thousands of women experience these symptoms during pregnancy and the postnatal period.

We can help! A combination of hands-on work like massage and trigger point therapy, and gentle, safe exercise are extremely effective in relieving aches and pains associated with pregnancy.

We understand pregnancy is a demanding but wonderful time that can take its toll physically, mentally, and emotionally. Taking care of yourself throughout this season is vital to ensuring the well-being of yourself, your family, and your adorable new baby.

It is a magical time, and your body will undergo many physical and hormonal changes. Your pelvic floor muscles will compress and abdominal muscles will lengthen to create room for the new baby.

With the increased demands on the body with the changes, as well as the feeding, changing, and rocking the new bub, it can be a time when pain becomes a little more prevalent than it usually is.

Thankfully, there is so much that can be done to help support your body, and prevent discomfort throughout pregnancy and motherhood.

Research has proven that exercising during pregnancy can reduce the risk of complications by up to 25%.

How can Physiotherapy help during the Pre-Natal, Pregnancy and Postnatal stages?

At our clinic, you can rest easy knowing you are in a safe and open space with empathetic physiotherapist who treat women with the same concerns every day.

Prenatal and during pregnancy:

• This includes advice and exercise therapy to prevent and manage pelvic girdle pain (you can read more about pelvic girdle pain here) and other musculoskeletal issues typically seen during this period.
• Back and neck pain are common with the increase in weight through your abdominal region.
• A combination of hands-on work like massage and trigger point therapy, and gentle, safe exercise generally yields great relief.

Post Natal – we can help get you back to everything you’ve been longing for over the last 40 weeks!

• Strengthen the areas of your body that need some much-needed help under the extra loads associated with feeding, holding, and carrying your new baby.
• Our Women’s Health Physio can ensure it’s safe to return to exercise in the capacity you want to, and with guidance from your obstetrician, we’ll be sure to make sure all the boxes are ticked for you to resume your most loved activities.

Meet our Pregnancy & Women’s Health Physio Sophie

Sophie has a Bachelor of Physiotherapy from the University of South Australia but has also gained further qualifications in neuromuscular dry needling, clinical pilates, pelvic health, and the assessment/management of pelvic floor dysfunctions.

She has obtained her postgraduate certificate in Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy and is currently completing her Masters in Pelvic Health through the University of Melbourne on her pathway to APA titling.

Sophie is passionate about helping women throughout their pregnancy and helping postpartum mums during their fourth trimester. She loves to help women feel strong, get back into the gym and/or return to running safely.

Sophie treats many women’s/pelvic health conditions, including (but not limited to):

• Pregnancy & postpartum-related conditions & checks
• Bladder, bowel & sexual dysfunction
• Menopausal changes
• Pelvic pain/endometriosis.

Sophie grew up playing a wide range of sports and enjoys helping rehabilitate individuals following injury to get back to doing what they love.

Outside of the clinic, Sophie can’t sit still! You’ll often find her socialising with friends over coffee, gin or wine (born and bred in the Barossa), in the gym, or out having a boogie at a music gig.

Common Pregnancy issues we see in local Adelaide residents:

We love helping the local Adelaide community with pregnancy-related issues. Some of the more common complaints and symptoms that we see in the clinic include:

Pelvic girdle, lower back, upper back and neck issues:

It’s reported that up to 50% of pregnant women and 25% of new mums experience some sort of pregnancy-related spinal discomfort. Common complaints include:

• Low back pain, upper back pain, and neck pain.
• Difficulty rolling over in bed, standing for extended periods, getting in and out of a chair, and sitting for extended periods.

These issues can arise due to an increase in the hormone relaxin, causing joints and muscles to soften in preparation for birth. This in conjunction with the increasing weight of the growing baby can increase the stress placed on the spine.

The good news however is that as the relaxing leaves the body after birth, 70% or more report no ongoing spinal pain 2-3 months after.

Physiotherapy treatment involves hands-on treatment (e.g. massage, trigger point therapy) to relieve pain. You’ll also be given some pain-relieving stretches, as well as safe strengthening exercises that will help support the areas in need and reduce the chance of the discomfort coming back!

Pelvic Floor Issues:

The pelvic floor is a group of muscles and ligaments that support the bladder, uterus (womb), and bowel.

Pelvic floor muscle pain and weakness are very common during and after pregnancy. The increased stress on the pelvic floor can lead to reduced bladder and bowel control.

It is recommended that all women exercise their pelvic floor muscles every day throughout life. Exercising a weak pelvic floor regularly, over a period of time can strengthen them and make them work effectively again. Getting into the habit of this throughout pregnancy is encouraged.

Most pelvic floor issues tend to resolve themselves with treatment involving regular pelvic floor exercises within 6 months. However, if they don’t resolve, be sure to reach out to us. We’re here to help!

Importantly, exercising whilst pregnant is proven to be safe – with no link between exercise and the risk of having a low-birth weight baby, preterm delivery or miscarriage. It also yield a 25% reduction in perinatal depression and a 40% reduction in the risk of gestational diabetes.

Pregnancy Physiotherapy Exercise Classes

These exercise classes are tailored to your needs and goals, which is why you’ll have an initial consultation with one of our pregnancy physio Sophie to discuss your problem areas, formulate and plan, have some hands-on treatment if appropriate, and familiarise yourself with the equipment you’ll be using in the classes.

In the classes, you’ll be under the close supervision of one of our physiotherapists to ensure you are performing the exercises correctly and safely. With small groups (max of 4 attendees) you’ll have the attention you deserve.

As the sessions are individualised, they are appropriate for those prenatally, the first, second, and third trimesters as well as postnatally.

Start Your Path to Wellness

Book Your Appointment at Thrive Today!

If you’d like to know more about pregnancy physiotherapy, pregancy exercise classes or have aches and pains associated with pregnancy that you’d like to get on top of, book a time online or call the clinic on 8490 0777, have a chat with Sophie and start your journey to improve health today.

Alternatively, fill out the inquiry form below and we’ll get Sophie to give you a call.

We look forward to seeing you in the clinic soon!