Many new mums are surprised and discouraged when they cannot easily return to their previous state of being or are presented with new physical challenges related to the labour or birth.
In the post-partum period, physical therapists help new mums move forward in their healing journey with abdominal rehabilitation, pelvic floor physical therapy, scar massage and total body strengthening in order to achieve a state of physical wellness.
Who Needs The Mummy MOT®?
Up to half of all women experience weakness in both the abdominal muscles and pelvic floor muscles after pregnancy and up to a third still have a tummy gap at eight weeks post-birth. This can cause instability or poor core strength leading to women developing pelvic or back pain or bladder, bowel and sexual dysfunction. These conditions should not be something you should just put up with as a result of having a baby.
It’s recommended that women have an initial assessment after their 6-8 week GP check, but we also treat women who gave birth years ago that may still have a tummy gap or related pelvic floor issues.
Mummy MOT® 1 hr assessment
- Full postural screen.
- Pelvic floor muscle assessment.
- Abdominal muscle exam to check for any separation.
- Screening for bladder, bowel or sexual dysfunction.
Follow Up (45 minute session)
- Education and advice on safe activities such as lifting your baby or pushing a buggy.
- Bespoke rehabilitation programme with your goals and lifestyle factors in mind.
- Written report of the findings of your assessment.
Treatment
We help people understand the cause of their problem, how best to manage their own condition and how to prevent it recurring using the following treatments:
- Prevention and correction of Diastasis Recti Abdomini (abdominal separation) as well as instruction on safe abdominal exercises.
- Manual therapy and corrective exercise to ease back pain, sciatica and pubic pain during pregnancy and in the post-partum period.
- Biofeedback to enhance awareness and muscle control in order to build strength or release tension in the pelvic floor muscles.
- Individualised and safe ‘return to exercise’ programmes and Postnatal Pilates and hypopressive technique.
