Care for Prenatal and Postpartum in Portland

Our Approach

Both Prenatal and Postpartum patients are demographics that need significant support, and at the same time are communities that are often underserved in our society. We love working with this patient base as it is a group where we see the Move Better approach really shine.

Prenatal

Throughout pregnancy the body is going through significant changes that really challenge the body’s stability system. As a pregnancy progresses there is a disproportionate distribution of weight loaded to the front of the body. If the patient’s main strategy to create trunk support is to overuse their back extensor muscles to stay upright without help from the intra-abdominal activation system, they will feel a resounding increase in stress to these extensor muscles over time ultimately leading to overloading these tissues and leading to pain in the back and pelvis. However, there is a better option to stabilize the trunk by utilizing the co-contraction system of the abdominal muscles, diaphragm and pelvic floor (what we call bracing). This significantly reduces stress on the spine, no longer being cranked into extension biased patterns. Not only does this more balanced approach decrease pain, it will also help maintain pelvic stability throughout the evolving pregnancy as the body prepares to give birth, often leading to an easier delivery.

We know throughout pregnancy a hormone known as relaxin is released in the body, with one of the main roles being to increase flexibility in the pelvic ligaments to allow for expansion of the pelvis during childbirth. In response to increased flexibility the body will increase the tonicity of surrounding musculature to stabilize the joints of the pelvis. When we can train this demographic how to stabilize their midline utilizing this co-contraction system through motor control exercises and strengthening, we have the opportunity to allow for more balanced muscle activation connecting to the pelvis. When we are not aware of and/or engaging this stabilizing system we see other muscle groups in the area that are not meant to act as stabilizers begin to compensate. This can lead to rotational positions of the pelvis that not only lead to pain throughout pregnancy but can also cause birthing complications and difficulties. These breathing patterns and bracing techniques applied throughout pregnancy are also very helpful during labor, as these patients learn how to temper their nervous system and relax their pelvic floor muscles while simultaneously pressurizing their abdominal area to push the baby out.

We utilize our foundational movement paradigms of breathing, bracing, and hip hinging to train these more efficient patterns of stability and loading; as well as specific prenatal adjusting techniques (e.g. Webster technique) and manual therapy methods safe for mother and baby.

Postpartum

In our modern world, all too often once the baby has arrived the mother is sent home with no rehabilitation program or guidance for recovery. This is absolutely mind-boggling considering this person has just undergone some of the most monumental physical changes in their body over the last 10ish months of their life. Their abdominal muscles have expanded, and in some cases separated (leading to diastasis recti). Their hormones have been going through major shifts. And if they had to undergo a cesarean delivery, their abdominal muscles have literally been cut through, requiring healing and motor control recovery. On top of all of that, they are now responsible for a little being that will require their constant care and attention; including a lot of repetitive lifting, holding, feeding, etc. (most of the time in awkward positions). As the baby grows, it is as if someone is repetitively lifting and carrying around a 15-20 pound weight that is continually getting bigger. I cannot think of a more important time for someone needing to focus on their recovery and strength. We work with many patients who did not have this support and knowledge at the time of postpartum, who have unnecessarily suffered for years with back pain, incontinence issues, sciatica, pelvic pain and instability, etc. In more severe cases, patients have even undergone significant surgeries trying to offset these symptoms. We see time and time again the massive improvements they make when we help them get reconnected to their body through our foundational movement patterns and strengthening plans, whether they are six weeks postpartum or their youngest is graduating college. It is never too late to start, but wouldn’t it be great to have the option to start sooner? We can help you with that, so you feel strong and capable in caring for your kids while also enjoying activities important to you for years and years to come.

Care for Prenatal and Postpartum Portland OR | (503) 432-1061