Pre-Conception, Pregnancy, & Post-Partum Physical Therapy
P3 Program
Pregnancy related low back pain (LBP) and pelvic girdle pain (PGP) are the most common conditions experienced by pregnant women. Upwards of to 80% of women experience LBP (30% describe pain as “severe”), while upwards of 65% of women experience PGP. Low back pain is considered pain that occurs between the sacrum and 12th rib. Pelvic girdle pain is defined as pain occurring between the iliac crest and gluteal fold, at the sacroiliac joints and pubic symphysis. Even after pregnancy, 68% of women report continuous low back pain, while 10% of LBP goes on to become chronic. Another common pregnancy related condition is stress urinary incontinence, which affects up to 85% of pregnant women.
Pain is NOT an inevitable part of pregnancy and it CAN be prevented and treated!
What is the P3 program?
The P3 program is a comprehensive, physical therapy program aimed at preventing and treating pregnancy related pain and urinary incontinence, improving conditioning and mobility, increasing strength and stability of the core, back, hips, and spine, and improving the overall physical health of new moms, moms-to-be and growing baby. Our program offers one-on-one, private treatment provided by a Doctor of Physical Therapy. Treatment will consist of a combination of manual (hands-on) therapy, individualized therapeutic exercise prescription, ergonomic and postural correction, and neuromuscular re-education. P3 is personalized to your needs and your stage of pregnancy. Because this program is individualized to meet each patient’s specific goals, you can start this program at any stage of your pregnancy, prior to becoming pregnant, and post-partum!
What are the goals of the P3 Program?
- Decrease and prevent pregnancy related low back pain and pelvic girdle pain
- Correct and prevent pregnancy related incontinence
- Increase “core” strength of abdominals and back muscles to increase stability/support to lumbar spine and pelvic girdle
- Increase strength of the pelvic floor muscles to support internal organs and contribute to overall strength of core musculature
- Decrease stiffness of the spine and hips
- Decrease and correct diastasis rectus (abdominal muscle separation)
- Improve and counteract decreases in bone mineral density (BMD), decreasing chances of future osteoporosis
- Postural re-education to improve alignment and counteract pregnancy related postural changes (increased lordosis and anterior pelvic tilt that occurs with pregnancy)
- Injury prevention and balance training
- Improved mood, sleep, energy, fatigue, and stress level
- Decrease constipation, bloating, swelling
- Prevent gestational diabetes and excessive weight gain
- Help maintain lean body mass
- Improve glucose and oxygen supply to baby
- Aid and improve healing from vaginal and C-section delivery, enhance and speed up recovery, improve post-partum energy levels
- Aid in lactation by improving clearance of blocked milk ducts and mastitis via therapeutic ultrasound