Your Postpartum Recovery

Your Postpartum Recovery
Woman exercising on stability ball with instructor.

What is a Postpartum Physical Therapy Checkup?

What is a Postpartum Physical Therapy Checkup?

A postpartum physical therapy checkup is a comprehensive evaluation performed by a physical therapist who specializes in pelvic floor and postpartum care. Your body has undergone some amazing changes to welcome your newborn that can affect your body in several ways, including:

  • Changes in posture
  • Hormonal shifts that cause laxity in your muscles, ligaments, and joints
  • Changes in pelvic floor structural and muscular support

What to Expect

What to Expect
  • A detailed medical history.
  • Review of your concerns and postpartum goals.
  • A thorough assessment of your posture, spinal and pelvic alignment, movement patterns, strength, and mobility.
  • An abdominal wall assessment to include a diastasis recti test and your ability to correctly engage your deep core muscles.
  • Examination of breathing patterns.
  • Scar assessment: cesarean or perineal.
  • Pelvic floor evaluation to assess for prolapse, pain, weakness, tone, and coordination. An internal assessment may be performed if consented to by the MD and patient.
  • After the evaluation, your physical therapist will determine if you would benefit from physical therapy treatment, a custom home exercise program, a return to running program, or a referral to another specialist.

A Mother's Path to Postpartum Recovery

A Mother's Path to <span class="desktop-break">Postpartum Recovery</span>

During your postpartum recovery, you may have neck or shoulder pain from feeding your baby, have back or pelvic pain, experience incontinence, or be unsure of how to resume normal activity or exercise. Every mom benefits from physical therapy to help you heal, comfortably care for your newborn, and safely return to being active.