Pregnancy Pain

A Message From Dr. Sarah O'Reilly, DPT, CF-L1, USAT-L1, Owner and Founder of Dimensions Physical Therapy

A woman’s pregnancy is an extraordinary and transformative experience that can profoundly impact her life. However, it is crucial to prioritize self-care during this time, as specific challenges may arise. Pelvic floor abnormalities, common during pregnancy, can be effectively addressed with minimal effort. By taking proactive measures to address these issues, you can prevent years of pain and discomfort and avoid the inconvenience of incontinence.

Throughout pregnancy, various statistics highlight the prevalence of pelvic floor issues:

Approximately 45% of pregnant women experience pelvic girdle pain, which can manifest as daily pain or discomfort during sexual activity.
Stress urinary incontinence affects a significant percentage of pregnant women, ranging from 19% to 70%.
Following delivery, about 35% of new mothers experience stress urinary incontinence, characterized by involuntary leakage during coughing, sneezing, lifting, or jumping.
More than half of pregnant women develop diastasis recti abdominis, a condition where the abdominal muscles separate from their central tendon. This can lead to low back pain, stress urinary incontinence, and pelvic organ prolapse.
Serious pelvic floor muscle injuries occur in 20% of first-time mothers after a standard pregnancy and delivery.
Even after giving birth, 25% of women with pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain continue to experience pain and discomfort.

By recognizing the prevalence of these issues and taking proactive steps to address them, women can better manage and alleviate potential long-term complications. Prioritizing pelvic floor health during pregnancy and postpartum is essential for ensuring overall well-being and minimizing any disruptions to daily life.

These concerns extend beyond women who give birth vaginally and affect those who undergo a cesarean section. The hormonal changes during pregnancy can cause ligaments to relax, increasing the risk of pelvic rotations even in women who have had a c-section. Additionally, scar tissue from the c-section procedure can impede pelvic floor muscles’ proper relaxation and contraction, leading to significant pain and incontinence issues.

To address these challenges, Dimensions Physical Therapy offers comprehensive assessments encompassing various aspects such as abdominal muscle function, overall posture, mobility of scar tissue, and pelvic floor muscle function. By thoroughly examining these factors, the underlying cause of the problem can be identified. Subsequently, a personalized treatment plan can be developed to specifically target and resolve the issues. This tailored approach allows you to regain control over your life and resume your desired activities without pain or limitations.

Take Action Now And Discover The Benefits Of Dimensions Physical Therapy.

Are you tired of experiencing embarrassing urine leaks (incontinence) while jogging, leaping, or simply going about your daily activities?
Are you concerned about persistent postpartum back, hip, or pelvic pain?
Are you feeling self-conscious, frustrated, or disappointed after giving birth, believing you'll never regain control of your body?
Do you find sex to be painful or inconvenient?
Are you frustrated with previous attempts at physical therapy that have not yielded results, or are you unsure what other options to explore?
Are you searching for a long-term, natural solution to eliminate these issues permanently without resorting to pills or surgery?

If You Answered "Yes" To Any Of These Questions, You've Come To The Right Place!

At Dimensions Physical Therapy, we understand the unnecessary pain many postpartum women endure due to misleading advice. It’s time to challenge these misconceptions:

Resting for six weeks may not solve your problems. There's a solution if you're still experiencing issues after days, weeks, months, or even years.
Watching generic YouTube workout videos won't help you get back in shape quickly. In fact, it can lead to pain, discomfort, and leaks, leaving you feeling miserable and demoralized.
Pain or abdominal separation after childbirth should not be dismissed as "natural" or something everyone experiences. Similarly, bladder control issues are not an inevitable part of aging.
Relying solely on pain relievers won't address the underlying issues and provide long-term relief.
Medicine, surgery, or simply "dealing with it" are not your only options. There is a better way.

The Truth Is...

Resting alone won't make a significant difference. While it may provide temporary relief, returning to your normal activities will likely bring back pelvic discomfort, leaking, and other postpartum symptoms that you may be all too familiar with.
Contrary to popular belief, experiencing prolonged pain or urine leaks after pregnancy or as you age is not normal. It's essential to recognize that these symptoms are not an inevitable part of the process.
Pain relievers should be approached with caution. They can be addictive, carry potential dangers, and may even lead to additional health problems. Relying solely on medication is not a sustainable or holistic solution.
It's important to challenge the notion that medicine, surgery, or injections are the only treatment options available. While these may be the only options your doctor has presented to you, there are alternative approaches that can provide effective and lasting results.
You deserve to explore a comprehensive range of treatments that address the root causes of your symptoms and prioritize your overall well-being. Don't settle for limited options. Seek out the expertise of specialists who can offer a more holistic and personalized approach to your postpartum health.

Suppose You're Fed Up With Painful Sex, A Mommy Tummy, Or Chronic Low Back Pain. In That Case, Dimensions Physical Therapy Is Here To Help You Reclaim Your Life And Pursue The Activities You Love, Even If It's Been 20 Years Since You Last Enjoyed Them! And The Best Part? Our Approach Doesn't Rely On Pills, Pads, Or Surgery.

Choosing the right healthcare provider is crucial for addressing your specific needs. Making the wrong choice could result in unnecessary surgeries, reliance on drugs or painkillers, or a lifetime of worsening symptoms. Don’t take that risk.

It’s important to treat issues such as leakage, abdominal separation, pelvic floor dysfunction, and postpartum hip/back/pelvic discomfort to prevent recurrence and find lasting relief using the least invasive and most natural methods available.

You need a provider who truly understands how the body works and recognizes the transformative effects that pregnancy and postpartum have on our bodies. To achieve full recovery, we must address multiple areas, including the neck, back, diaphragm, core, pelvic floor, pelvis, posture, strength, and overall body usage. It’s about more than just doing Kegel exercises!

Treating the symptoms alone won’t lead to a complete recovery. You deserve to work with a professional committed to exploring the underlying causes of your symptoms and dysfunction. This comprehensive approach will provide a permanent solution to your postpartum problems.

Don’t settle for temporary fixes or incomplete solutions. Choose a provider who will guide you toward a full recovery, empowering you to live a vibrant and pain-free life after pregnancy.

At Dimensions Physical Therapy, We Have Developed A Comprehensive Three-Step Procedure To Eliminate Your Postpartum Problems And Ensure You Never Have To Deal With Them Again.

STEP 1 - WE WANT TO HEAR YOUR STORY.

We recognize the frustrations that can arise when navigating the healthcare system. Waiting for weeks or even months for an appointment, only to spend a rushed 10 minutes with the doctor, can leave you feeling bewildered and uncertain about your own experience.

This hurried approach is unfortunately prevalent in many physical therapy clinics as well. Therapists often lack the time to truly understand your goals and provide personalized care. That’s why we operate differently.

We genuinely want to hear your story first.

Having successfully worked with numerous postpartum women, we understand that each person is unique, with their own body, history, and patterns of pain and symptoms.

As a crucial first step, we offer an open chat where you can freely share your story. This allows us to gain a deeper understanding of what is happening in your body and how it is impacting your life. We can provide the most tailored and effective care possible by listening attentively to your concerns, goals, and experiences.

Your story matters to us and serves as the foundation for our approach. Together, we will embark on a journey to address your postpartum issues holistically and ensure long-lasting results.

STEP 2 - DETERMINE WHY YOUR SYMPTOMS STARTED

Many individuals have received a medical term or diagnosis to explain what is happening in their bodies. A doctor could have provided it, identified it through medical tests, or discovered it through online research.

You may have received diagnoses such as Prolapse, Diastasis Recti, Pelvic Floor Dysfunction, Incontinence, Sacroiliac (SI) Joint Pain, or Hip/Back/Pelvic Pain.

Perhaps you were informed that your only options were to relax, take medication, or wait for improvement.

While these measures may offer temporary relief, they fail to address the underlying cause of the problem.

The truth is the source of pain or symptoms varies for each individual. No two people have the same problem stemming from the same underlying factors.

At Dimensions Physical Therapy, our primary objective is to treat the root cause of your discomfort to alleviate it and prevent it from returning!

STEP 3 - ELIMINATE THE PROBLEM AND PREVENT ITS RETURN

This is the stage where significant transformations occur. We provide you with a personalized plan that empowers you to:

…resume physical activities, including running or jumping, without the fear of experiencing pain, stiffness, or bladder control issues.

…engage with your children, lift and carry them effortlessly, and enjoy quality time with them.

…reignite intimate relationships with your partner, free from pain and limitations.

…return to your favorite forms of exercise, such as yoga, running, tennis, or any activity that brings you joy and fulfillment.

As your body heals from Diastasis Recti/Abdominal Separation and regains its full core strength, you will regain your physical power, confidence, and allure.

Our ideal clients are motivated and eager to reclaim their active lifestyle, even if they currently feel constrained by their circumstances.

We are happy to provide the information you need if you want to learn more about our availability and pricing options before committing to a visit.

What People Say About Dimensions PT

I highly recommend choosing Sarah as your physical therapist. Not only is she a great listener who pays attention to detail, she’s also really nice and down to Earth! The help I received from Sarah improved the quality of my life and I can’t thank her enough.

Sarah created an amazing PT space ideal for any athlete!! She is driven, kind, and determined to help her clients get stronger; would highly recommend!!

Sarah has been instrumental in helping me achieve pain-free workout sessions, and keeping my activity in the gym productive by helping me find ways to continue working out without causing myself further injury. Her variety of services, combined with her knowledge, really make her a 1-stop shop for me and is super convenient. Love having her in my corner. You will too.

Dr. Sarah O'Reilly is a wonderful physical therapist, and I would highly recommend her to any athlete looking for preventative or recovery treatment. You'll receive attentive care from a practitioner who understands the strains of training. Furthermore, Dimensions is a state-of-the-art facility. If you're considering physical therapy, look no further than Dimensions PT!

Encouraging, great attitude, key awareness of needs for athletes! Awesome office space for appointments with all the equipment you could need. Would definitely recommend to anyone looking to recover from or prevent an injury.

Sarah is very personable and accommodating. Her attention doesn't end with your session. She maintains communication and shares information to educate and support you.

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