Learn the key considerations in finding the best postpartum physical therapy specialist near you.

Your body goes through a lot of changes during pregnancy. Over the course of 9 months, your ribs widened, your diaphragm shortened, your pelvic floor lengthened, your pelvis widened, your posture changed and your ligaments got more stretchy. Postpartum PTs specialize in helping women recover from pregnancy and it important that the postpartum physical therapist your choose is qualified. 

The three key components to finding a postpartum PT specialist is finding a licensed physical therapist that works with the postpartum population, finding someone that has pelvic floor training, and ensuring that your postpartum exercises are functional and meaningful to you.

First, the best person to reach out to if you are looking for a postpartum PT specialist is a licensed physical therapist. PTs are experts in muscle retraining and are movement experts.

Not all physical therapists are postpartum specialists, however. Not all physical therapists have the training in how to rehabilitate a postpartum woman’s core and how to structure a safe yet effective rehab program for them. Typically, pelvic floor therapists are the most knowledgeable when it comes to postpartum physical therapy.

Be mindful though that not all pelvic floor therapists specialize in postpartum physical therapy. There are many subspecialties in pelvic floor therapy so finding a pelvic floor therapist that primarily provides prenatal physical therapy and postpartum physical therapy is key.

It is important that the postpartum physical therapist that you see does have knowledge of pelvic floor dysfunction. Since pelvic floor dysfunction is common postpartum, going to someone that understands prolapse, diastasis recti, bladder leakage, fecal incontinence and women’s pelvic health is important. If you have any pelvic health concerns in addition to general postpartum recovery, they can be addressed.

You should ask the right questions about the training and whether or not the therapist has taken advanced training in postpartum physical therapy. Also, if you start a treatment program with a physical therapist and notice the other patients are men, older clientele, or even pediatrics, you may not be in the right place. 

A true postpartum physical therapist will have other patients that look just like you! 

Lastly, a postpartum PT specialist will incorporate functional movements that are relevant to you and your postpartum concerns and goals. Your exercises should match the activities that you are interested in progressing towards, postpartum. 

There are three components that you should look for when considering seeing a postpartum PT specialist is finding a licensed physical therapist that works with the postpartum population, finding someone that has pelvic floor training, and ensuring that your postpartum exercises are functional and meaningful to you.

We can set up a consultation to get you off to the right start, or can refer you to someone that is local to you! For more information, click here.